Mercer Advisors
Sharing Knowledge

Executive Compensation

Equity-based compensation — from RSUs and stock options to deferred compensation and IPO lockup strategies — can play an important role in an individual’s financial strategy, but the tax timing and diversification decisions can be complex. At Mercer Advisors, we help executives and tech professionals turn that complexity into a coordinated, tax-efficient financial plan built around your unique

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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.

Man working at desk
Investment Management Guide

The Concentrated Stock Diversification Guide: 9 Strategies Compared

Compare nine concentrated stock diversification strategies to help make informed decisions.

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.

Work & Business Guide

The Tech Founder Preliquidity Planning Timeline: A Five-Year Playbook

A five-year preliquidity planning road map for tech founders covering QSBS stacking, trust structures, state residency, 10b5-1 plans, and diversification.

Market Commentary Article

Our Reasons for Caution Around Flashy IPOs

Mercer Advisors VP of Portfolio Management David Krakauer explains reasons for caution around highly anticipated IPOs, where it can be hard for investors to get good deals.

Tax Planning Guide

A Guide To Long-Term Planning for Long-Short Portfolios

A practical guide to long-short investing, explaining how portfolios evolve, manage taxes, reduce risk, and plan smart options after diversification.

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.

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.

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.

Investment Management Article

What To Do When Your IPO Lockup Expires

Optimize your equity with smart timing, tax strategies, and diversification to help create lasting wealth.

Listen
Market Commentary Podcast

Episode 28 – Should your 401(k) Invest in Private Equity and Crypto?

The White House released an executive order this month allowing investors to make private equity and crypto investments in their 401(k)s. Don Calcagni, chief investment officer of Mercer Advisors, joins the podcast to share what investors need to know and consider as these new options eventually become available.

Two men talking about recapitalizations
Investment Management Article

What to Know About Recapitalizations in Private Equity

Learn how recapitalizations can affect your equity compensation, taxes, and long-term wealth.

A happy couple in retirement
Retirement Article

How To Optimize 403(b) and 457(b) Retirement Benefits

Learn these two plans’ differences and complements regarding contribution limits, early withdrawals, taxes, and more.

FAQs
Work & Business FAQ

Is it better to exercise stock options before or after leaving a company?

See the answer
Work & Business FAQ

What’s the difference between ISOs and NSOs when leaving a job?

See the answer
Work & Business FAQ

How do I check my equity grant documents before leaving my job?

See the answer
Work & Business FAQ

Where can I find help planning my equity comp during a job change?

See the answer
Work & Business FAQ

Do I need to exercise my ISOs within 90 days of leaving?

See the answer
Work & Business FAQ

Should I exercise my stock options before leaving my job?

See the answer
Work & Business FAQ

How does the ISO post-termination exercise period operate?

See the answer
Work & Business FAQ

What happens to stock options when I leave my job?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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Investment Management
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Want to learn more about Mercer Advisors?

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