Mercer Advisors
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Generational Wealth

Financial Planning Guide

The Inheritance and Sudden Wealth Playbook: First 90 Days + 12 Months

When you inherit a significant amount of wealth, the decisions you make in the first year can define outcomes for decades. Here’s your step-by-step playbook.

Estate Planning Article

Illinois Estate Tax: What High-Net-Worth Families Need To Know

Illinois’ $4 million estate tax exemption, far below the $15 million federal threshold, can expose high-net-worth families to unexpected state tax bills without proactive planning.

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.

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.

Listen
Financial Planning Podcast

Episode 524 – Generational Wealth

John Walker and Jason O’Meara break down the mindsets and strategies that help families grow and preserve generational wealth across decades.

Family & Health Article

Is TikTok Where Your Kids or Grandkids Get Financial Advice?

Discover why financial advice on TikTok often misses the mark for young adults and how a personalized financial plan can protect their long-term future.

Estate Planning Article

Maryland Estate and Inheritance Tax

Maryland is the only state levying both an estate tax and inheritance tax. Understand thresholds, exemptions, and strategies to protect your estate.

Estate Planning Article

Estate Planning for Blended Families: Key Considerations

From qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trusts to beneficiary designations, discover how a comprehensive estate plan can honor every relationship in your blended family.

Team having a discussion in a meeting
Tax Planning Article

Taxes and Wealth Management: Better Together With a Unified Team

Our integrated tax and wealth management teams work together year-round, delivering coordinated planning that helps reduce surprises and tax liability.

Tax Planning Article

Trump Accounts and Gift Tax: What Parents Need to Know

The IRS established a safe harbor for qualifying Trump Account contributions — but complex giving situations require careful planning.

Insurance Solutions Article

One Team, One Plan, One Vision: Integrated Insurance Planning

Discover how integrated insurance planning coordinated across your investments, taxes, and estate plan can help protect and preserve your wealth.

Estate Planning Article

Estate Planning Strategies for Your Financial Future 

Learn how estate planning integrates with tax, investment management, and financial planning to help protect your wealth, minimize taxes, and transfer assets efficiently. 

What Clients Ask Article

Why One Team Can Simplify Your Financial Life

Mercer Advisors brings wealth planning, investment management, taxes, estate, and retirement under one coordinated team for integrated and aligned financial outcomes.

FAQs
Retirement FAQ

How much do I need to retire at $10 million net worth?

See the answer
Financial Planning FAQ

What should I do immediately after receiving a large inheritance?

See the answer
Financial Planning FAQ

Do I have to pay taxes on money I inherit?

See the answer
Financial Planning FAQ

What is the step-up in basis, and why does it matter?

See the answer
Financial Planning FAQ

What are the rules for an inherited IRA?

See the answer
Financial Planning FAQ

Should I invest my inheritance all at once or gradually?

See the answer
Financial Planning FAQ

How do I update my estate plan after receiving an inheritance?

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Financial Planning FAQ

What is sudden wealth syndrome, and how do I avoid it?

See the answer

Further Learning

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.

Retirement Article

Connecting the Dots on Your Retirement Plan

Learn how a structured three-part approach to retirement income planning can help you protect the wealth you’ve built and achieve financial independence.

Retirement Article

How SECURE 2.0 Is Reshaping Your Retirement Savings Options

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 introduced significant updates to retirement savings rules — automatic enrollment, emergency savings accounts, and enhanced catch-up contribution limits — that can meaningfully change how you plan for the future.

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
Trustee Services

Want to learn more about Mercer Advisors?

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