Mezzi Investing Insights & Market Education https://www.mezzi.com/blog 2026-09-13T00:00:00.000Z Investing, markets, taxes, and long-term financial decisions from Mezzi. The Boost: How your home fits into your asset allocation https://www.mezzi.com/blog/home-equity-asset-allocation 2026-09-13T00:00:00.000Z 2026-09-13T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Should your home change how you invest? See how home equity, mortgage payments, income, and upcoming expenses shape your mix of stocks, bonds, and cash. The Boost: You may own more NVIDIA than you think https://www.mezzi.com/blog/nvidia-stock-exposure-sp-500-index-funds 2026-09-13T00:00:00.000Z 2026-09-13T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA NVIDIA is roughly 8% of the S&P 500. See how index funds, tech ETFs, and direct shares combine into your total NVDA exposure. Financial Samurai partners with Mezzi https://www.mezzi.com/blog/financial-samurai-partners-with-mezzi 2026-09-09T00:00:00.000Z 2026-09-09T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Financial independence expert Sam Dogen retired at 34 with a net worth of about $3M. See how he uses Mezzi. Do I need wealth manager with $1 million net worth https://www.mezzi.com/blog/need-wealth-manager-1-million-net-worth 2025-12-16T00:00:00.000Z 2026-09-09T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Weigh costs, complexity, and AI alternatives to decide if a wealth manager is right for your $1M net worth. The Boost: How many ETFs should you own? https://www.mezzi.com/blog/the-boost-how-many-etfs-should-you-own 2024-11-04T00:00:00.000Z 2026-09-09T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are great for quickly diversifying your portfolio, but owning multiple ETFs can sometimes lead to unintended consequences The Boost: A 60-year head start https://www.mezzi.com/blog/the-boost-a-60-year-head-start 2026-09-07T00:00:00.000Z 2026-09-07T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Trump Accounts are live. Here is when they fit a high-net-worth family's plan, how to invest the money, and when a Roth conversion could pay off. Tax Alpha: The Extra Return Most Investors Leave on the Table https://www.mezzi.com/blog/tax-alpha-extra-return-investors-leave-on-table 2026-08-29T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-29T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Use asset location, tax-loss harvesting, and cross-account coordination to reduce tax drag and keep more of your portfolio's returns. Municipal Bonds and IRMAA: Why Tax-Free Income Still Counts https://www.mezzi.com/blog/municipal-bonds-irmaa-why-tax-free-income-still-counts 2026-08-28T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-28T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Tax‑free municipal bond interest can raise Medicare premiums—SSA adds tax‑exempt interest to MAGI; plan income timing. Qualified vs Ordinary Dividends: The Holding-Period Rule That Changes Your Rate https://www.mezzi.com/blog/qualified-vs-ordinary-dividends-holding-period-rule-changes-your-rate 2026-08-28T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-28T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA How the 61‑day holding‑period around the ex‑dividend date decides if dividends get qualified (lower) or ordinary tax rates. Tax-Gain Harvesting: The 0% Capital-Gains Bracket Most People Miss https://www.mezzi.com/blog/tax-gain-harvesting-0-percent-capital-gains-bracket-most-people-miss 2026-08-28T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-28T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Use a low-income year to realize long-term taxable gains at a 0% federal rate, reset cost basis, and reduce future tax. The Advisor Fee Taxonomy: AUM vs Flat-Fee vs Hourly vs Commission https://www.mezzi.com/blog/advisor-fee-taxonomy-aum-vs-flat-fee-vs-hourly-vs-commission 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Compare AUM, flat-fee, hourly, and commission advisor pricing to see costs, conflicts, and which fits your assets and planning needs. Asset Location After OBBBA: What Belongs in Taxable, IRA, and Roth in 2026 https://www.mezzi.com/blog/asset-location-after-obbba-what-belongs-taxable-ira-roth-2026 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Place tax-inefficient income in IRAs, tax-efficient stocks in taxable accounts, and growth bets in Roths for better after-tax returns. When NOT to Fire Your Advisor: Five Situations Where 1% Is Worth It https://www.mezzi.com/blog/when-not-to-fire-your-advisor-situations-1-percent-worth-it 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Five situations where a 1% advisor fee can pay off: tax coordination, estate/trust work, behavior coaching, liquidity events, and family wealth. Form CRS: The Two-Page Document That Reveals How Your Advisor Gets Paid https://www.mezzi.com/blog/form-crs-two-page-document-reveals-how-your-advisor-gets-paid 2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Quick guide to reading Form CRS: spot fee models, conflicts, standards of conduct, and disciplinary history to compare advisors. How to Read Your Advisor's Form ADV Part 2 in Ten Minutes https://www.mezzi.com/blog/how-to-read-your-advisors-form-adv-part-2-ten-minutes 2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Scan an adviser’s Form ADV Part 2 in ten minutes to spot fees, services, conflicts, custody, and disciplinary history. New in Mezzi: More ways to manage your wealth https://www.mezzi.com/blog/new-in-mezzi-more-ways-to-manage-your-wealth 2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA My wife and I manage a lot of accounts for our family—several brokerages, retirement accounts, a couple of banks, too many credit cards, and real estate… The Trailing-Spouse Problem: Coordinating Two Careers' 401(k)s and Equity https://www.mezzi.com/blog/trailing-spouse-problem-coordinating-two-careers-401k-and-equity 2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Coordinate both spouses' 401(k)s: capture full matches, compare vesting, consolidate rollovers, and limit employer-stock risk. Cross-Border Equity Comp: RSUs When You Work in the US on a Visa https://www.mezzi.com/blog/cross-border-equity-comp-rsus-when-you-work-in-us-visa 2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA One RSU vest can be taxed by two countries—vesting date, workday sourcing, residency, and records determine U.S. and foreign tax outcomes. Exercising Options at a Startup That May Never IPO: Sizing the Risk https://www.mezzi.com/blog/exercising-options-at-a-startup-that-may-never-ipo-sizing-the-risk 2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Estimate cash, tax, and liquidity risk before exercising startup options and compare exposure to your liquid net worth. Moving States to Save on Taxes: The Residency Rules That Trip Up Founders https://www.mezzi.com/blog/moving-states-save-on-taxes-residency-rules-trip-up-founders 2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA How founders can still owe old-state tax after moving: domicile, 183-day tests, and equity sourcing—document the move and track days. Charitable Remainder Trusts vs Donor-Advised Funds: Which Fits Your Gift? https://www.mezzi.com/blog/charitable-remainder-trusts-vs-donor-advised-funds-which-fits-your-gift 2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Income-first gifts suit CRTs; deduction and flexible grants suit DAFs—choose based on income needs, tax impact, and admin complexity. The Inherited IRA 10-Year Rule: The Withdrawal Trap for High-Earning Heirs https://www.mezzi.com/blog/inherited-ira-10-year-rule-withdrawal-trap-high-earning-heirs 2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Treat an inherited IRA as a 10‑year tax project: spread distributions to avoid a year‑10 lump sum that can push income into higher tax brackets and trigger IRMAA. Inheriting a Taxable Brokerage Account: Step-Up Basis and What to Sell First https://www.mezzi.com/blog/inheriting-taxable-brokerage-step-up-basis-what-to-sell-first 2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Stepped-up basis resets inherited brokerage cost basis—verify basis records, fix errors, then sell by tax impact, risk, and cash needs. Dividing a Taxable Portfolio in Divorce: Who Gets the Low-Basis Shares? https://www.mezzi.com/blog/dividing-taxable-portfolio-divorce-low-basis-shares 2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Low-basis shares can make a 50/50 divorce split unequal after taxes—check lot-level basis and offset embedded gains. Donor-Advised Funds: Bunching Two Years of Giving Into One https://www.mezzi.com/blog/donor-advised-funds-bunching-two-years-giving-into-one 2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Combine two years of charitable gifts into one DAF contribution to itemize in one year while preserving grant timing. Sudden Windfall: The First 90 Days After a Liquidity Event https://www.mezzi.com/blog/sudden-windfall-first-90-days-liquidity-event 2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Treat the first 90 days after a liquidity event as a stabilization window: secure cash, map taxes, measure concentration, then plan diversification. The Boost: 5% is the offer, not the answer https://www.mezzi.com/blog/the-boost-5-is-the-offer-not-the-answer 2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-23T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA We have spent the past few weeks looking at yield from two sides. First, why holding too much cash can become an expensive safe decision . "What percentage of my portfolio should be in one stock?" - The Concentration Ceiling https://www.mezzi.com/blog/concentration-ceiling-portfolio-one-stock-percentage 2026-08-22T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-22T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Set a personal ceiling for single-stock exposure—often 5–10%; measure total exposure, test dollar losses, and trim in a tax-aware way. "What's the difference between a fiduciary and a broker?" - And Why It Costs You https://www.mezzi.com/blog/fiduciary-vs-broker-why-it-costs-you 2026-08-22T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-22T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA The difference between fiduciary and broker standards can cost you thousands via higher fees, costly share classes, and rollover advice. Gray Divorce and the QDRO: Splitting Retirement Accounts Without a Tax Hit https://www.mezzi.com/blog/gray-divorce-qdro-splitting-retirement-accounts-without-tax-hit 2026-08-22T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-22T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA How to split 401(k)s, pensions, and IRAs in gray divorce with QDROs or trustee transfers to avoid unexpected taxes and penalties. "How do I lower my taxable income?" - 12 Levers, Ranked by Effort https://www.mezzi.com/blog/lower-taxable-income-levers-ranked-by-effort 2026-08-21T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-21T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA 12 practical moves—ranked by effort—to lower taxable income, from 401(k)s and HSAs to tax-loss harvesting and QBI timing. "What's a good net worth by age?" - Percentiles vs. What Actually Matters https://www.mezzi.com/blog/net-worth-by-age-percentiles-vs-what-matters 2026-08-21T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-21T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Percentiles are a snapshot—prioritize savings rate, cash flow, debt, and investable assets to measure real financial progress. "Should I pay off debt or invest?" - The Rate-Spread Decision https://www.mezzi.com/blog/pay-off-debt-vs-invest-rate-spread-decision 2026-08-21T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-21T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Prioritize paying debts above 7%; invest when rates are under 4%; split the difference for 4–7% and factor taxes, risk, and cash needs. The Boost: Boomer candy https://www.mezzi.com/blog/the-boost-boomer-candy 2026-08-17T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-17T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA High yielding funds are all the rage on Wall Street. These funds are paying 7%-12% income, sometimes much more. When an ACAT Transfer Fails: Residual Shares, Fractional Cash, and Stuck Positions https://www.mezzi.com/blog/acat-transfer-fails-residual-shares-fractional-cash-stuck-positions 2026-08-14T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-14T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA ACAT 'complete' often hides residual cash, taxable fractional-share sales, and unsupported holdings—verify before closing the old account. Double-Trigger RSUs at a Pre-IPO Company: The Tax Time Bomb at Liquidity https://www.mezzi.com/blog/double-trigger-rsus-pre-ipo-company-tax-time-bomb-liquidity 2026-08-14T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-14T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Double-trigger RSUs can trigger a multi-year W-2 tax surge at IPO, creating a cash shortfall if you're locked up. Estimated Quarterly Taxes for Equity Comp: Avoiding the Underpayment Penalty https://www.mezzi.com/blog/estimated-quarterly-taxes-equity-comp-avoiding-underpayment-penalty 2026-08-14T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-14T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Match RSU vests, option exercises, and stock sales to their tax quarter to close withholding gaps and avoid underpayment penalties. ESPP Disqualifying vs Qualifying Dispositions: The Holding-Period Math https://www.mezzi.com/blog/espp-disqualifying-vs-qualifying-dispositions-holding-period-math 2026-08-13T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-13T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA A single day can flip ESPP tax treatment—use offering and purchase cutoffs on Form 3922 to compute ordinary income vs capital gain. NSOs vs ISOs: The Ordinary-Income-at-Exercise Difference That Surprises People https://www.mezzi.com/blog/nsos-vs-isos-ordinary-income-at-exercise-difference 2026-08-13T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-13T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA NSOs can trigger ordinary income and payroll withholding at exercise; ISOs usually defer regular tax but may create AMT and depend on holding periods. Sell RSUs at Vest or Hold? The Concentration-vs-Tax Tradeoff https://www.mezzi.com/blog/sell-rsus-at-vest-or-hold-concentration-vs-tax-tradeoff 2026-08-13T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-13T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Default to selling vested RSUs to reduce employer-stock concentration unless you have a clear reason to hold. How to Close the RSU Withholding Gap Before December https://www.mezzi.com/blog/close-rsu-withholding-gap-before-december 2026-08-12T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-12T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Estimate RSU tax shortfalls and close them before Dec 31 with extra withholding, estimated payments, or share sales. The RSU Cost-Basis Double-Tax Trap on Form 1099-B https://www.mezzi.com/blog/rsu-cost-basis-double-tax-trap-form-1099-b 2026-08-12T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-12T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Avoid double-taxing RSUs: match each sale to vest-date FMV on your W-2 and correct the basis on Form 8949. Your RSUs Withheld 22% - You're in the 35% Bracket. Meet the April Surprise https://www.mezzi.com/blog/rsus-withheld-22-percent-in-35-percent-bracket-april-surprise 2026-08-12T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-12T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA RSUs withheld at 22% while your marginal rate is 35%–37% can leave you owing thousands; estimate the gap and act before year-end. Empower's Free Dashboard vs the Advisor Pitch: Reading the Real Product https://www.mezzi.com/blog/empower-free-dashboard-vs-advisor-pitch-reading-real-product 2026-08-11T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-11T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA How Empower’s free dashboard provides tracking but can trigger outreach and a 0.89% AUM advisory upsell for accounts $100K+. Monarch Raised Prices - Is a Budgeting App the Right Tool for an Investor at All? https://www.mezzi.com/blog/monarch-raised-prices-budgeting-app-right-tool-investor 2026-08-11T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-11T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Monarch's price hike may be justified for budgeting and subscription tracking; serious investors need portfolio, tax, and retirement tools. Robo-Advisor Tax-Loss Harvesting: What the '$0 Fee' Marketing Omits https://www.mezzi.com/blog/robo-advisor-tax-loss-harvesting-zero-fee-marketing-omits 2026-08-11T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-11T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Assess whether robo-advisor 'zero-fee' tax-loss harvesting actually boosts after-tax returns once fees, spreads, and wash-sale risk are counted. Upgrades to your free membership https://www.mezzi.com/blog/upgrades-to-your-free-membership 2026-08-11T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-11T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA See how diversified you really are. Diversification X-ray is now available to every Mezzi member, so you can quickly identify concentration and risk across… Delta / Investment-Tracker Users: What a Read-Only Tracker Can't Do https://www.mezzi.com/blog/delta-investment-tracker-users-read-only-tracker-cant-do 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Read-only trackers show holdings but can miss wash-sale risk, tax-loss harvesting, fund overlap, and fee drag. The Mint Refugees, Two Years On: Where They Actually Landed https://www.mezzi.com/blog/mint-refugees-where-they-actually-landed 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Two years after Mint closed, former users split across five specialized apps based on their main money goal. Tiller Spreadsheet Users: When to Graduate to an AI Wealth Platform https://www.mezzi.com/blog/tiller-spreadsheet-users-when-to-graduate-ai-wealth-platform 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Decide if your spreadsheet still works or if a read-only AI wealth dashboard will save time, reduce tax risk, and reveal hidden overlap. Fidelity Retired the Old Full View: What Broke and What to Use Instead https://www.mezzi.com/blog/fidelity-retired-old-full-view-what-broke-what-to-use-instead 2026-08-09T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-09T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA After Fidelity's Full View update, external accounts, balances, and spending data may break—learn fixes and a two‑layer Mezzi alternative. Sharesight vs Mezzi: Performance Tracking vs Tax + Overlap https://www.mezzi.com/blog/sharesight-vs-mezzi-performance-tracking-vs-tax-overlap 2026-08-09T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-09T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Compare Sharesight's performance reports with Mezzi's cross-account tax-loss harvesting, wash-sale checks, and overlap X‑Ray. The Boost: Changing course https://www.mezzi.com/blog/the-boost-changing-course 2026-08-09T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-09T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Deciding when to retire is stressful. Do I have enough? Can I do everything I want? Will I have to go back to work? After the Wealthfront IPO: Does 'Self-Driving Money' Still Serve You? https://www.mezzi.com/blog/wealthfront-ipo-self-driving-money-still-serve-you 2026-08-09T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-09T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Wealthfront still helps single-account investors with rebalancing, cash management and tax-loss harvesting; multi-account households need cross-account coordination. Copilot Money's 2026 Pricing Change: What Annual Subscribers Should Do https://www.mezzi.com/blog/copilot-money-2026-pricing-change-what-annual-subscribers-should-do 2026-08-08T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-08T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Check your Copilot subscription, renewal date, and auto-renew — compare $95/year vs $13/month to keep, switch, or cancel. Schwab Is Shutting Down Intelligent Portfolios Premium - Your Next Move https://www.mezzi.com/blog/schwab-shutting-down-intelligent-portfolios-premium-next-move 2026-08-08T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-08T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Premium planning is ending; assets typically stay. Choose standard robo, self-direct, or read-only advice and check tax impact. Simplifi vs Mezzi: Budgeting App vs Wealth Platform https://www.mezzi.com/blog/simplifi-vs-mezzi-budgeting-app-vs-wealth-platform 2026-08-08T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-08T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Compare Simplifi’s budgeting and cash-flow tools with Mezzi’s portfolio X‑Ray, tax and fee analysis to find which solves your main money problem. The 55-to-59½ Gap: Accessing Retirement Money Early Without the 10% Penalty https://www.mezzi.com/blog/55-to-59-and-a-half-gap-access-retirement-money-without-10-percent-penalty 2026-08-07T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-07T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA How to tap 401(k) or IRA funds between 55 and 59½ without the 10% penalty—compare Rule of 55, 72(t)/SEPP, and Roth options. How Much Cash Should a Retiree Actually Hold? The Real 'Bucket One' Math https://www.mezzi.com/blog/how-much-cash-retiree-should-hold-bucket-one-math 2026-08-07T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-07T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Size your retirement cash to cover 1–3 years of your portfolio-funded spending gap, factoring guaranteed income, taxes, and risk. Leaving Quicken Simplifi After the Price Hikes: Where to Land https://www.mezzi.com/blog/leaving-quicken-simplifi-after-price-hikes-where-to-land 2026-08-07T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-07T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA If Simplifi’s price hike pushed you out, choose the app that matches your main goal: hands-on budgeting, portfolio visibility, or both. Bucket Strategy vs. Total-Return: Which Decumulation Model Actually Wins https://www.mezzi.com/blog/bucket-strategy-vs-total-return-decumulation-model-wins 2026-08-06T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-06T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Compare bucket vs total-return decumulation: similar long-term math, but taxes, behavior, and ease decide the better fit. Delaying Social Security as Longevity Insurance, Not an Investment https://www.mezzi.com/blog/delaying-social-security-longevity-insurance-not-investment 2026-08-06T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-06T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Treat delaying Social Security as longevity insurance—compare claiming at 62, FRA, or 70 considering health, spouse, taxes, and savings. Roth Conversions vs. IRMAA vs. the ACA Subsidy: The Three-Way Squeeze https://www.mezzi.com/blog/roth-conversions-vs-irmaa-vs-aca-subsidy-three-way-squeeze 2026-08-06T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-06T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA How Roth conversions can raise MAGI and trigger ACA subsidy loss or future Medicare IRMAA surcharges—plan how much to convert. Guardrails Withdrawals: How to Spend 5%+ Without Running Out https://www.mezzi.com/blog/guardrails-withdrawals-spend-5-percent-plus-without-running-out 2026-08-05T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-05T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Start retirement at 5%+ with guardrails: annual checks, conditional inflation, and 10% preset cuts/raises to protect your portfolio. Pension Lump Sum vs. Annuity in a Higher-Rate World https://www.mezzi.com/blog/pension-lump-sum-vs-annuity-higher-rate-world 2026-08-05T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-05T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Higher rates shrink lump-sum offers while boosting annuity payouts—choose between control and guaranteed lifetime income. The Retirement Tax Torpedo: How Provisional Income Taxes Your Social Security https://www.mezzi.com/blog/retirement-tax-torpedo-provisional-income-taxes-social-security 2026-08-05T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-05T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Learn how provisional income can make up to 85% of your Social Security taxable, what triggers it, and ways to reduce the tax. The RMD Tax Bomb: Why Your 70s Could Be Your Highest-Tax Decade https://www.mezzi.com/blog/rmd-tax-bomb-why-your-70s-highest-tax-decade 2026-08-04T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-04T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Large pre-tax retirement balances can trigger RMDs at 73 or 75, spiking taxable income, Social Security taxes, and Medicare IRMAA. The Social Security Break-Even Age Is the Wrong Question https://www.mezzi.com/blog/social-security-break-even-age-wrong-question 2026-08-04T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-04T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Break-even age is too narrow; choose Social Security timing based on cash flow, taxes, portfolio withdrawals, and survivor income. When to Claim Social Security: The 8%-a-Year Question https://www.mezzi.com/blog/when-to-claim-social-security-8-percent-a-year-question 2026-08-04T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-04T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Compare claiming Social Security at 62, FRA, or 70 — tradeoffs in monthly pay, lifetime totals, taxes, and survivor benefits. The ACA Subsidy Cliff Returned in 2026: The Early-Retiree Healthcare Bridge https://www.mezzi.com/blog/aca-subsidy-cliff-returned-2026-early-retiree-healthcare-bridge 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA How the 400% FPL ACA subsidy cliff returned in 2026 and income-timing strategies early retirees can use to protect Marketplace subsidies. IRMAA's Two-Year Lookback: The 2026 Income You Set Today Bills You in 2028 https://www.mezzi.com/blog/irmaa-two-year-lookback-2026-income-bills-2028 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA One 2026 income spike can raise your 2028 Medicare Part B/D premiums under IRMAA's two-year lookback—mind timing. Sequence-of-Returns Risk: Why the First Five Years Decide Everything https://www.mezzi.com/blog/sequence-of-returns-risk-first-five-years-decide-everything 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Early retirement returns shape your outcome: poor markets in years 1-5 can force sales and permanently shrink your portfolio. A 2026 Year-End Tax-Move Checklist for Portfolios Over $1M https://www.mezzi.com/blog/2026-year-end-tax-move-checklist-portfolios-over-1m 2026-08-01T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-01T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Six year-end tax checks for $1M+ households: loss harvesting, wash-sale review, Roth conversions, RMDs/QCDs, gifting, and asset location. The 4% Rule Is Now Three Numbers: Bengen 4.7%, Morningstar 3.9%, and Yours https://www.mezzi.com/blog/4-percent-rule-three-numbers-bengen-4-7-morningstar-3-9 2026-08-01T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-01T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Compare Bengen’s 4.7%, Morningstar’s 3.9%, and how taxes, fees, account mix, and spending flexibility shape your personal withdrawal rate. Bunching Charitable Gifts Under the New 0.5%-of-AGI Floor https://www.mezzi.com/blog/bunching-charitable-gifts-new-0-5-percent-of-agi-floor 2026-08-01T00:00:00.000Z 2026-08-01T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Bunching several years of donations can restore tax value lost to the new 0.5%‑of‑AGI deduction floor and may favor DAFs or stock gifts. NIIT Bracket Creep: The 3.8% Tax Now Hits 7M+ Households https://www.mezzi.com/blog/niit-bracket-creep-3-8-percent-tax-hits-7m-households 2026-07-30T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-30T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Fixed NIIT thresholds have pushed 7M+ households into the 3.8% tax; what income counts and which planning moves can limit surprise bills. The Senior Deduction and Other OBBBA Retiree Provisions for 2026 https://www.mezzi.com/blog/senior-deduction-obbba-retiree-provisions-2026 2026-07-30T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-30T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA New 2026 senior deduction cuts taxable income, but MAGI and timing decide whether retirees get all, some, or none of the benefit. How to Stay Under the NIIT Threshold in a Liquidity Year https://www.mezzi.com/blog/stay-under-niit-threshold-liquidity-year 2026-07-30T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-30T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Time sales, use lot selection, harvest losses, or donate shares to keep MAGI/NII under 2026 NIIT thresholds and avoid the 3.8% surtax. Bonus Depreciation Is 100% Again: What It Means for Your Rental LLC https://www.mezzi.com/blog/bonus-depreciation-100-percent-rental-llc 2026-07-29T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-29T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA How 100% bonus depreciation (post‑Jan 19, 2025) affects rental LLCs: which assets qualify, passive loss limits, cost segregation, and recapture. The SALT Cap Jumped to $40K - Then the Phaseout Claws It Back https://www.mezzi.com/blog/salt-cap-40k-phaseout-claws-back 2026-07-29T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-29T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Federal SALT cap rises to $40K in 2025, but a MAGI phaseout above $500K can shrink the usable deduction; itemizing still matters. The $40K SALT Cap Sunsets in 2029: A Four-Year Planning Window https://www.mezzi.com/blog/salt-cap-40k-sunsets-2029-four-year-planning-window 2026-07-29T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-29T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Temporary $40K SALT cap runs 2026–2029; review itemizing, payment timing, PTET elections, and deduction bunching before the 2030 reset. The AMT Came Back for High Earners in 2026 - Here's the Phaseout Math https://www.mezzi.com/blog/amt-returned-2026-high-earners-phaseout-math 2026-07-28T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-28T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA High earners face a faster 2026 AMT phaseout: track AMTI, $500k/$1M thresholds and model year‑end moves to limit the hit. QSBS After OBBBA https://www.mezzi.com/blog/qsbs-after-obbba 2026-07-28T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-28T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA OBBBA splits QSBS by issue date—new $15M cap, $75M asset test, and tiered 50/75/100% exclusions at 3/4/5 years. QSBS Gifting: Stacking $15M Exclusions Across Trusts in 2026 https://www.mezzi.com/blog/qsbs-gifting-stacking-15m-exclusions-trusts-2026 2026-07-28T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-28T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Gift QSBS to individuals or non‑grantor trusts to multiply Section 1202 exclusions while managing timing, trust design, and IRS/state risks. The Boost: An expensive safe decision https://www.mezzi.com/blog/the-boost-an-expensive-safe-decision 2026-07-27T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-27T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA American households are sitting on $10+ trillion in checkable and savings accounts. Add in money market funds, and cash tops $15 trillion. The Boost: The year I left money on the table https://www.mezzi.com/blog/the-boost-the-year-i-left-money-on-the-table 2026-07-20T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-20T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Before I started Mezzi, I had a year where my income dropped to almost nothing. I took some time off, my wife and I traveled, and we lived off savings. New in Mezzi: A sharper view of your portfolio https://www.mezzi.com/blog/new-in-mezzi-a-sharper-view-of-your-portfolio 2026-07-17T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-17T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Last week we shared a bunch of interface updates . Today, we're sharing a new round for both iPhone and web , with major navigation updates coming next! The Boost: Even if you didn't make this bet, you're in it https://www.mezzi.com/blog/the-boost-even-if-you-didnt-make-this-bet-youre-in-it 2026-07-12T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-13T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA The Boost is our Sunday email. Every week, one thing that shapes your wealth, explained. Neobanks for Wealthy Clients: Mercury, Brex, and JPMorgan Self-Directed https://www.mezzi.com/blog/neobanks-wealthy-clients-mercury-brex-jpmorgan-self-directed 2026-07-12T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-12T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Compare Mercury, Brex, and J.P. Morgan Self‑Directed for business cash, spend controls, FDIC/SIPC coverage, and personal investing. The Rise of Family Investment Companies (FICs) https://www.mezzi.com/blog/family-investment-companies-rise-fics 2026-07-11T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-11T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Plain-English guide to family investment companies: structure, control vs ownership, tax and estate uses, costs, risks, and when they fit. Financial Independence for Physicians: High Income, Late Start Strategy https://www.mezzi.com/blog/financial-independence-physicians-high-income-late-start-strategy 2026-07-11T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-11T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Late-start physicians can still reach FI by sequencing cash flow, maxing tax-advantaged accounts, and curbing lifestyle inflation. Lifestyle Creep: How High Earners Spend Their Way to Mediocrity https://www.mezzi.com/blog/lifestyle-creep-how-high-earners-spend-to-mediocrity 2026-07-11T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-11T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA High pay can still mean average wealth when housing, cars, and subscriptions outpace investing—measure savings, net worth, and fixed costs. Carbon Credit Investing: KRBN, GRN, and Direct Offset Markets https://www.mezzi.com/blog/carbon-credit-investing-krbn-grn-direct-offset-markets 2026-07-10T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-10T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Weigh liquid compliance-market ETFs, issuer-backed ETNs with credit risk, and project-level offsets built for impact rather than resale. Collectible Cars as Investments: Ferrari, Porsche, and Classic Appreciation https://www.mezzi.com/blog/collectible-cars-investments-ferrari-porsche-classic-appreciation 2026-07-10T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-10T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA How collectible cars compare as investments: costs, liquidity, taxes, and why they suit small, high-risk allocations. Private Credit and Direct Lending: Yield, Risk, and Portfolio Fit https://www.mezzi.com/blog/private-credit-direct-lending-yield-risk-portfolio-fit 2026-07-10T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-10T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Private credit boosts yield but sacrifices liquidity, pricing clarity, and tax efficiency—best as a small, tax-aware satellite allocation. Fine Wine and Whiskey Investing: Returns, Storage, and Tax Treatment https://www.mezzi.com/blog/fine-wine-whiskey-investing-returns-storage-tax-treatment 2026-07-09T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-09T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA How fees, storage, provenance, illiquidity, and a 28% collectibles tax can erode wine and whiskey investment returns. Music Royalties and Catalog Investing: Royalty Exchange and ANote https://www.mezzi.com/blog/music-royalties-catalog-investing-royalty-exchange-anote 2026-07-09T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-09T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Compare auction-based single royalty streams vs euro-denominated catalog shares—tradeoffs in diversification, liquidity, taxes, and returns. The Step-Up in Basis Strategy: Holding Appreciated Assets Until Death https://www.mezzi.com/blog/step-up-in-basis-strategy-holding-appreciated-assets-until-death 2026-07-09T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-09T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Holding appreciated taxable assets until death can reset heirs' cost basis; explains benefits, limits, and risks. Estate Tax Portability: Deceased Spousal Unused Exclusion (DSUE) https://www.mezzi.com/blog/estate-tax-portability-deceased-spousal-unused-exclusion-dsue 2026-07-08T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-08T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA Preserve a deceased spouse's unused federal estate exclusion (DSUE): Form 706 deadlines, valuation pitfalls, GST and state limits. Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs): Removing Policies from Taxable Estate https://www.mezzi.com/blog/life-insurance-trusts-ilits-removing-policies-taxable-estate 2026-07-08T00:00:00.000Z 2026-07-08T00:00:00.000Z Manish Jain, CFA How ILITs can remove life insurance from your taxable estate—ownership, the 3-year rule, premium funding, and trustee steps.