Mercer Advisors
Sharing Knowledge

Business Owners

Business owners face a uniquely complex set of financial decisions — from structuring compensation and retirement plans to leveraging QSBS, managing a post-IPO lockup, and planning a tax-efficient business exit. At Mercer Advisors, we help business owners connect the dots between their business finances and their personal financial goals through a coordinated, comprehensive planning approach. Browse the resources below for guidance on taxes, retirement, equity strategies, and building lasting wealth beyond your business.

Women & Wealth Article

Beyond Business Growth: Wealth Planning for Women Founders

Many women founders face a three-way financial pull. Learn how to help protect personal wealth, optimize taxes, and plan your business exit — all at once.

man meeting with a financial advisor in office, shaking hands
What Clients Ask Article

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Financial Advisor

Discover the essential questions to ask when choosing a financial advisor — covering fiduciary duty, compensation models, and team approach.

Work & Business Article

Strategic Exit Planning for Business Owners

Explore comprehensive exit planning strategies for business owners. Learn how to coordinate valuation, tax optimization, and succession planning to help support a smoother transition.

Rider on Horse Jumping
Financial Planning Guide

Investing in Horses: Risks, Returns, and How to Integrate Equine Assets Into Your Wealth Plan

A practical guide to investing in horses, including risks, costs, liquidity, and how equine assets fit into a long-term wealth plan.

Financial Planning Article

Employer Contributions to Trump Accounts Explained 

New guidance clarifies how employers can contribute to Trump Accounts, including limits, tax treatment, and required reporting.

Investment Management Guide

Post-IPO Lockup Playbook: Sell Smart, Minimize Taxes, Protect Your Gains

Your IPO lockup expiration is just the beginning. With a multi-year strategy and expert advice you can turn uncertainty into lasting value.

Tax Planning Guide

The Real Estate Agent’s Smart Tax and Retirement Playbook

Understanding your options and making confident decisions can help you build long-term wealth and reduce your tax burden.

An advisor working with a client on a backdoor roth IRA
Retirement Article

Making a Backdoor or Mega Backdoor Roth Contribution in 2026

If you’ve outgrown the direct Roth IRA due to income limits, consider the backdoor and mega backdoor Roth strategies.

Two woman business owners planning
Women & Wealth Article

Exit Planning for Women Business Owners

Guidance for women business owners approaching a sale — covering exit strategy, tax planning, succession, and life after a liquidity event.

A man looking at intellectual property
Estate Planning Article

How to Handle Intellectual Property With Your Estate Planning

Intellectual property can generate income opportunities for heirs. Learn how copyrights, trademarks, and patents fit into your estate plan.

Investment Management Article

Understanding Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS)

Learn how Qualified Small Business Stock can reduce capital gains taxes and what changed under the 2025 QSBS rules.

A pay role specialist reviewing social security
Work & Business Article

Social Security Wage Base 2026 Increase: Employer Guide

Get a clear breakdown including new payroll tax limits and what employers should budget for high‑income staff.

A real estate agent managing her write offs
Tax Planning Article

15 Legitimate Tax Write-Offs for Real Estate Agents To Track

Help reduce your taxable income and learn smart tax planning strategies through real estate agent wealth management.

FAQs
Insurance Solutions FAQ

How much life insurance do I need at high net worth?

See the answer
Women & Wealth FAQ

How do family caregiving responsibilities affect financial planning for women founders?

See the answer
Women & Wealth FAQ

Should I pay myself a salary or take distributions from my business?

See the answer
Women & Wealth FAQ

How do I fund my children’s education when my income comes from my business?

See the answer
Women & Wealth FAQ

What is QSBS and can women founders use it to reduce taxes?

See the answer
Women & Wealth FAQ

How do I protect my personal wealth if my business fails?

See the answer
Women & Wealth FAQ

When should a woman founder start planning for a business exit?

See the answer
Women & Wealth FAQ

What retirement accounts make sense for a self-employed woman founder?

See the answer

Further Learning

Estate Planning Article

How To Keep Your Family Vacation Home in the Family

Passing down a family vacation home takes more than a will. Learn how trusts, LLCs, and honest conversations can keep your legacy property in the family.

Listen
Investment Management Podcast

Episode 40 – Diversify Broadly, Both Across and Within Global Asset Classes

Don Calcagni, Chief Investment Officer, explains why he pursues the broadest possible diversification in portfolios — and why it’s the second principle of the evidence-based investment philosophy at Mercer Advisors.

Retirement Article

Catch-Up Contributions 2026: What’s New for Savers

SECURE 2.0 catch-up rules are in effect for 2026. New limits, a higher Roth threshold, and final IRS guidance change how older savers should plan.

Retirement Article

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: Your 2026 Medicare Options

Understand your 2026 Medicare choices, and compare Medigap and Medicare Advantage on cost, coverage, networks, and enrollment to make an informed decision.

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

Explore Our Solutions

Financial Planning
Estate Planning
Tax Planning & Preparation
Insurance Solutions
Investment Management
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Want to learn more about Mercer Advisors?

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