With fewer and fewer workers covered by a defined benefit retirement plan (pension), more Americans today depend on 401(k)s and other defined-contribution plans to supply retirement income. Through disciplined and tax-incentivized savings throughout their career, many workers will have their 401(k)/IRA as their largest financial asset by the end of their career.

It has become an American tradition to pass on accumulated wealth to subsequent generations. Whether it be family real estate or a sizeable stock portfolio, it is only natural for parents to want to leave something to their children. Proposed policy changes under the new administration may severely alter how we continue this practice. In this episode of the 2021 Financial Forecast Series, David L. Blain, CFA, outlines the proposed policy changes to estate planning while highlighting the strategies for the wealth of this generation and future beneficiaries.

As we advance into the 2020 tax filing season, David L. Blain, CFA, looks ahead at the proposed tax planning changes in 2021. These changes could have severe consequences for business owners nationwide and high-income earners in states like California, Oregon, and Washington. In his 5th episode of the 2021 Financial Forecast Series, David reviews the proposed tax reforms and outlines the techniques and strategies for continued financial success.

In this three-part episode of his on-going series, 2021 Financial Forecast, David L. Blain, CFA, takes a closer look at capital market expectations in the upcoming year. What does capital market expectations mean? In short, he explains his prediction of how the stock and bond markets will perform and the possible implication for your portfolio.

David L. Blain, CFA, comments on the ubiquitous story regarding the roller-coaster ride of GameStop (GME) brought on by the traders who squeezed out the short-sellers. This cautionary tale details why you should stay the course and remember the tried and true strategy to wealth accumulation is to make the most of your human capital with a disciplined approach.

In the third episode of his on-going video series, 2021 Financial Forecast, David discusses the 2021 Economic Outlook. Taking a deep dive into the economic recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the forecasted changes under President Biden's administration, Episode three is delivered in two parts. Part 1 covers the COVID-19 recovery regarding global reaction and US markets, and David presents the three possible scenarios as we work towards pre-COVID normalcy. Part 2 takes a closer look at the restoration of developed markets (US, Eurozone, UK, China) and predicts a lengthy recovery for emerging markets such as India, Africa, and South America.

In the second episode of the series, David explains the highs and unprecedented lows of 2020, a year like no other. As the US economy recovers from the deepest recession in modern history, David stresses the importance of having an evergreen financial plan to safeguard your goals during times of duress and turbulence. David also reviews the stock market returns, commodity markets, real estate investment returns, and much more, setting the stage for impending change in the year to come.

As a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Carolina East Health System, David L. Blain, CFA, has experienced a front-row seat to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic from both a micro and macro effect on the economy and financial markets. In his ongoing series, 2021 Financial Forecast: A Step-By-Step Guide to a Year of Change, David provides a thorough overview of what to expect in the year(s) ahead, while taking a deep-dive into the financial sectors potentially affected by the incoming administration's proposed policy changes.