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Charitable Giving

Charitable giving and tax-efficient financial planning go hand in hand — especially with the new 2026 tax rules changing how deductions work for most donors. Whether you’re exploring donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), or year-end gifting strategies, Mercer Advisors can help you give generously while staying aligned with your broader financial goals. Browse the articles below for practical, up-to-date guidance on making the most of every gift.

Multi-generational family having dinner together
Financial Planning Article

What To Do With the Money You’re Not Going To Spend

When your retirement projections show you have more than enough, the question shifts from saving to spending. Explore strategies for surplus wealth.

Listen
Tax Planning Podcast

Episode 530 – Year-End Financial Planning Checklist

John Walker and Jason O’Meara discuss key year-end planning steps: maxing retirement contributions, taking RMDs, managing inherited IRAs, and Roth conversions before Dec. 31.

Tax Planning Guide

Tax-Loss Harvesting for Investment Portfolios: Direct Indexing and Beyond

Direct indexing may help investors generate tax alpha through tax-loss harvesting, often cited in the range of 1% to 2%  while also supporting wash sale rules and tax-efficient charitable giving strategies.

Retirement Article

What To Handle Before Dec. 31 and What Can Wait

A year-end financial checklist sorted by whether you’re employed, retired, or taking required minimum distributions (RMDs). Plus the items that don’t have December deadlines.

Tax Planning Article

Before You Sell Your Home, Consider This Tax Strategy

Converting your home to a short-term rental before you sell can pair a cost segregation study with the Section 121 exclusion. Here’s how it works.

Women & Wealth Article

How Women Can Design a Legacy That Reflects Their Values

A legacy plan goes beyond transferring assets — it helps transfer your values. Learn how women can design financial legacies that reflect what matters most to them.

Tax Planning Article

How Much Money Do You Need To Work With a Wealth Manager?

Firm minimums vary widely, but a better question may be whether your financial complexity warrants professional coordination.

Tax Planning Article

The New Math of Charitable Giving Tax Deductions

New 2026 charitable giving tax deduction rules changed the math. Learn how the AGI floor, the 35% cap, and DAFs reshape your year-end giving strategy.

Estate Planning Guide

The Family Guide to Estate Planning: Helping To Protect What You’ve Built Across Generations

Explore wills, trusts, beneficiary traps, POAs, estate tax changes, inherited IRAs, gifting, and family conversations in one comprehensive planning guide.

Investment Management Article

What a Stock Split Means for Your Portfolio

Explore how a stock split affects your portfolio and learn comprehensive strategies for managing concentrated positions, tax exposure, and charitable giving.

Tax Planning Article

IRMAA vs. Social Security Tax: What’s the Difference?

Discover the difference between IRMAA and Social Security tax. Learn strategies to help manage your Medicare premiums and optimize your retirement income.

A couple tax planning with their advisor
Tax Planning Article

Tax Filing vs. Tax Planning: Year Round Tax Planning Matters

Tax planning goes beyond filing to help improve future after tax outcomes.

Estate Planning On-Demand Webinar

Give Smart. Gain Impact. Philanthropy Made Practical and Tax-Savvy

Explore how women define purposeful philanthropy, clarify giving values, and use tax-smart strategies to maximize impact during life and beyond.

FAQs
Financial Planning FAQ

How does a Roth conversion compare to keeping money in a traditional IRA?

See the answer
Financial Planning FAQ

What’s the difference between a direct gift and a 529 plan gift?

See the answer
Financial Planning FAQ

Should I start gifting to my family if I have surplus retirement wealth?

See the answer
Financial Planning FAQ

What is surplus wealth in retirement?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

How do tax-managed mutual funds compare to direct indexing?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

What is the difference between direct indexing and ETFs for tax-loss harvesting?

See the answer
Tax Planning FAQ

Where can I learn about direct indexing for tax-efficient investing?

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Tax Planning FAQ

Do I need an advisor for tax-loss harvesting?

See the answer

Further Learning

Couple discussing finances
Financial Planning Guide

Social Security: When To Claim, How To Help Maximize, and Common Mistakes To Avoid

A comprehensive guide to Social Security claiming strategies, including when to start benefits, six ways to help maximize your monthly payment, and seven common mistakes to avoid.

Couple moving
Tax Planning Article

Planning a California Residency Change Before Your Liquidity Event

Changing California residency before a liquidity event requires careful planning. Learn the two-year timeline, safe harbor rules, and strategies to help reduce your tax exposure.

Woman at desk in front of computer
Women & Wealth Article

Financial Planning for Women Business Owners: Beyond the Business

Women business owners may face distinct financial planning challenges. Learn how to coordinate investments, tax, estate, and insurance strategies that go beyond the business.

Market Commentary On-Demand Webinar

Q4 Market Outlook: The Fed, Deficits, Energy, Valuations, and More

Mercer Advisors CIO Don Calcagni and Partner Kara Duckworth break down inflation, the Fed, deficits, AI valuations, and housing in this Q4 market outlook webinar.

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.

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