IAG Insight

Every expectation is that the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee is at or near the end of their historic series of interest rate hikes. Just 17.5 months ago, the Fed’s target overnight interest rate was between 0% and 0.25%. Today it stands between 5.25% and 5.50%. In those months we have seen year-over-year headline inflation…

The 118th Congress is proving to be the epitome of a do-nothing Congress. That is not necessarily a complaint given the tremendous amount of change they have made to tax and retirement laws over the last few years. The IRS likely needs a breather to catch up on writing all of those regulations. One item…

Since the beginning of the year, the IAG Charitable Foundation was blessed to provide grants to the following organizations, totaling just under $9,000. Old World Foundation Cedar Springs Ranch (Cedar Springs Church Ranch) Ascension Lutheran Church The Roc Youth Center (Watertown Wels Youth Center) St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Oconomowoc – Hope for Hadley Transforming Individual…

Jesse Sindorf and his wife, Hannah, welcomed their third child, Bennett, on April 6th. Jennifer Von Ruden’s daughter, Rebecca, graduated from Carthage College with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and a double minor in Communication and Religion. Susan Kuhlenbeck’s granddaughter, Sara, was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and graduated suma cum laude from…

This quarter the IAG Charitable Foundation made a grant to support Hope for Hadley sponsored by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc. Hadley McCormack is a six-year-old girl battling a brain tumor. You can learn more about Hadley’s story by visiting this website. If you would like to submit a grant request for a charity…

Was May 3rd the last rate hike this economic cycle? Based on what we know right now, odds favor a yes answer to that question. The Federal Reserve’s highly aggressive interest rate-hiking campaign which started in March 2022 is definitely having an impact. However, the full impact of each rate hike is not really known…

April tax receipts fell short of expectations, accelerating the date of potential default if the debt limit is not increased. This caught both the President and Congress off guard as they were prepared for a July or August default debate. The most likely outcome of this accelerated timetable is a temporary debt limit extension to…

Anne Sapienza married Tim Johnson in a small backyard ceremony on September 24. They honeymooned in Italy. Gina Haenisch and her husband, Kurt, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on September 18. Mike Kutz’ son, Sam, passed his final CPA exam in September and, along with his wife, Emily, had Mike’s first grandchild, Ivy. Bill Otto…

Lindsay Lavine joined the IAG team as a Financial Operations Associate in July. She works primarily with Mike Koerner and his clients, but also contributes as other team needs arise. Lindsay passion is helping people. In her previous role with Hub International she assisted employees with their group benefits. Lindsay was drawn to IAG because of…

Inside the Beltway: Congress With the elections over, the 117th Congress will be working to finish up all sorts of loose ends before the end of the year using a so-called “lame duck” session. One of those loose ends could impact the rules for retirement accounts. The Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2022 (SECURE…

Today, women have more financial responsibilities than ever before. How will your family or loved ones manage financially if you die? Whether you are single, married, employed, or a stay-at-home mom, you probably need life insurance. At the very least, life insurance can help pay for the costs of funeral and burial services, estate administration,…

The President signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act on August 16. This mono-partisan 730-page bill addressed several Democratic priorities and passed the Senate and House on strictly party-line votes. With this budget reconciliation bill out of the way, Congress departed for their traditional August recess. When they return to Washington in mid-September, they plan…

B.J. Sabol joined your IAG team as a Financial Operations Associate on April 22nd. He grew up in the Lake Country area and graduated from Lake Country Lutheran High School in 2014. After graduation, he headed west to attend a junior college in California with the dream of one day playing Division One baseball. After…

IAG Grapevine Mike Kutz’ son, Sam, and his wife, Emilie, celebrated the birth of his first grandchild, Ivy, on August 22. Rusty Peterson, and his wife, Marna, moved from Menomonee Falls to Delafield and adopted a 1-year-old Rottweiler named Nelli. Mary Paul purchased a home in Footville, Wisconsin, in May. Josh Oswald and BJ Sabol…

Legislation update Having expended a significant amount of political capital pushing the Build Back Better without passing it, Congressional leaders are mulling how to pass pieces of this legislation before the end of the 117th Congress. Given current inflation readings, it is unlikely that additional government stimulus is needed. Thus, legislators are more likely to…

Kyle Bence joined our IAG team on January 17 as a Financial Operations Associate and will be working primarily with Lori Watt’s clients. His plans include learning the financial planning process, passing the required regulatory exams, and becoming a financial advisor. His primary goal is to serve others while listening carefully. This served him well…

Legendary investor Warren Buffett is famous for his long-term perspective. He has said that he likes to make investments he would be comfortable holding even if the market shut down for 10 years. Investing with an eye toward the long term is particularly important with stocks. Historically, equities have typically outperformed bonds, cash, and inflation,…