When reviewing your health care benefit plan options, do you have the right information to make the best choice for you?
In this episode, Iván Watanabe sits down with OPUS PC’s benefits consultant, Stefan Carpentieri. Stefan explains everything you need to know about health insurance and employee benefits to help you select the optimal coverage. Listen in as Stefan provides you with valuable information you should think of before considering potential options!
Stefan discusses:
The importance of understanding what healthcare means
How to make the best choices for your medical future
Stefan Carpentieri is a Benefits Consultant at Opus Private Client in the New York office.
Stefan specializes in employee and executive benefits for the private and non -profit sectors. He works closely with his clients and provides value in cost reduction strategies, renewal and carrier negotiations, compliance, plan design analysis, and account management. Stefan also works closely with the executives of each organization to ensure that their personal planning and risk management aligns with the corporate benefit offerings.
One major way some employees are being compensated today is through equity awards. This is a benefit that is bigger than it appears and is one business owners and employees should take note of.
In this episode, Iván Watanabe welcomes Alejandro Azuaje, an investment specialist with OPUS Private Client. Alejandro dives into the world of equity awards, explaining what they are, how they work, and how you can make the most out of your equity awards.
Alejandro discusses:
Why do companies offer equity awards
How you can gain compensation from equity awards
The benefits of stock options over shares of stock
Alejandro Azuaje is an associate and investment specialist at Opus Private Client, LLC. After graduating from college, Alejandro entered the financial planning industry. He joined Opus in 2017 and is elated to be working for a team that believes in holistic planning and executes its recommendations with efficiency and ease. Alejandro’s specialties are in financial planning analysis, financial modeling, and equity investments. He is a Westchester native from Purchase, NY, and an Alumnus of New York University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
In this episode, the chairman and partner of Hodgson Russ LLP, Mark Klein, joins Iván Watanabe and Russ Carpentieri to discuss the true cost of moving states. Mark explains taxes and auditors when moving, and answers frequently asked moving questions while dispelling myths on how to avoid taxation.
Mark Klein is Hodgson Russ LLP’s chairman and concentrates his practice in New York State and New York City tax matters. He has more than 35 years of experience with federal, multistate, state, and local taxation — and may be best known for his public speaking on tax topics. Mark splits his time between the Firm’s New York City and Buffalo offices.
Over the past eighteen months, our understanding of work as employers and employees has changed dramatically.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t build the career you’ve been looking for.
In this episode, Julie Harnik, a leadership coach focused on helping individuals and teams maximize their potential, joins Iván Watanabe. Julie discusses how the pandemic has shifted our perspective of what the work environment should look like and reveals the career questions you should be asking yourself, no matter how long you have been walking your career path.
My passion is helping professionals maximize their potential so that their work (and life!) can be mentally, emotionally and financially fulfilling. I work with individuals, teams and organizations ready to make the inner and outer shifts necessary to propel themselves forward. My ultimate thrill is helping you to make that pivot you’ve only allowed yourself to dream about, or finding the confidence to excel where you are.
Throughout my career, I had found myself in the midst of many leaps. Be it leaping up the ladder, being promoted to Vice President prior to the age of 30. Be it leaping forward in a 15-year career on the cutting-edge of the media, marketing and tech industries working on first-ever initiatives in digital advertising and content marketing with brands such as Procter & Gamble, Disney, the US Olympic Committee, NASCAR and NBC – I even worked with Kermit the Frog!
Throughout these leaps, I consistently found myself either burnt out or bored, with little in between. I looked around one day and thought two things:
~How am I already one of the oldest people in the room?
~Is this going to be enough, for me, for the rest of my career?
It was then that I took a step back and took inventory of what I loved to do – leading others, managing people, creating culture and building experiences – that plus a deep desire to work for myself led me to realize it was time for my biggest leap yet.
And I haven’t looked back since.
Life is way too short not to do the work you love.
I launched my coaching practice because transformational conversations have always been a part of my DNA and I want to spend my time doing what I love – helping others create a career and a life they love. For some, this may mean it’s time to leap into something new. For others, this may mean that it’s time to get more grounded and confident where you have already landed.
One of my favorite things to say – to my clients, to my friends and to myself – is that it is possible to make work work for us. If this sounds like something you want, let’s talk!
There’s nothing like the peace of mind that comes with having a strategic and comprehensive plan for your future.
This is especially true when it comes to your estate plan.
In this episode, Canarick & Canarick’s founder and estate planning attorney, Michael Canarick, sits down with Iván Watanabe to discuss the value of having an estate plan. He explains the current estate planning and tax environment and other considerations to help you plan your estate strategically and specifically.
Michael discusses:
How estate taxes work & new estate tax laws
Generational trusts and how they relate to asset protection and estate planning
How selling or gifting estates can reduce or eliminate estate-related taxes
Canarick & Canarick was founded by Michael Canarick, an estate planning attorney with a Master of Laws in Taxation from NYU and a member of the New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania Bars. Michael has over 15 years of experience in counseling on tax and estate planning matters and developing strategies that will help create and preserve wealth through generations. Michael’s practice consists of reviewing and drafting legal documents for clients and educating them on the various options that exist when it comes to the distribution of their assets.
Links to external sites are provided for your convenience in locating related information and services. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents, and employees expressly disclaim any responsibility for and do not maintain, control, recommend, or endorse third-party sites, organizations, products, or services and make no representation as to the completeness, suitability, or quality thereof.
When Platinum Premier Global Equity looks to invest, it looks for ways it can help improve its local communities.
In this episode, Platinum Premier’s Zameer Upadhya and Chris Chambers join Iván Watanabe to share how the company is working to help people across the United States (and the world) invest in commercial real estate.
They highlight how the organization’s investments and high-quality real estate improvements can provide stable returns for investors and secure economic assets for communities.
Zameer and Chris discuss:
Platinum Premier Global Equity’s mission to provide unique real estate opportunities
COVID-19’s impact on the commercial real estate industry
How real estate creates value for people
Why real estate isn’t a passive investment
Reasons to integrate commercial real estate into your overall portfolio
Zameer Upadhya is Platinum Premier Global Equity’s co-founder and CEO, a real estate private equity firm focused on multi-family and hotel value-add development opportunities. The team improves the properties through hands-on management and targeted value-add initiatives striving for solid returns for investors and strong economic assets for communities.
About Chris Chambers:
Chris is Platinum Premier Global Equity’s CFO. He has been investing in real estate since 2004. His investments concentrated on residential real estate projects, increasing profits, and enhancing cash flow. His background lends him nearly 15 years of relevant financial expertise in real estate, financial planning, long-term planning, capital allocation, capital-efficient profitable growth, auditing, and investment strategies.
New Jersey financial consulting firm Tomoro LLC possesses a distinct ability to manage business owners’ financial choices in a way that will help them reach their desired long-term wealth goals.
How do they do it?
Find out in this episode, as the firm’s managing partner and director of financial planning, Jeremy Suarez, introduces Tomoro’s role in helping small, privately-owned businesses successfully plan their business exit. Plue, he shares must-know considerations every business owner should know for a smooth business takeover.
Jeremy discusses:
Tomoro’s approach to helping individuals and their businesses with transition and exit planning
When the right time is to start planning for your business exit
Easing the business takeover process with employee retention
Common exit planning mistakes
Consequences of not planning your business exit or transition
Jeremy joined Tomoro as a managing partner in 2014. When working with individual households on their wealth creation strategies; the focus is on all areas of wealth accumulation, protection, and distribution. As a certified exit planning professional, Jeremy supports business owners with a full range of business continuity, succession, and exit planning recommendations; with a core focus of optimizing value.
With summer just around the corner and vaccination rollouts ramping up, some countries are starting to lift their restrictions, and slowly but surely, the travel world is beginning to return.
In this episode, MilesAhead’s CEO and founder, Rob Karp, sits down with Iván Watanabe to explain his travel agency’s approach to travel resumption and to highlight must-know considerations for when you book your next trip.
You will learn:
Rob’s thoughts on the current travel landscape
Three best practices for those who are thinking about traveling abroad
How the pandemic has switched the way MilesAhead plans for client travel arrangements
The benefits of using credit card points to book, travel, and do everyday purchases
And more!
Join in and find out how MilesAhead can help you resume your travel sooner rather than later!
Bajraktari Realty Management is a multifaceted company that owns and operates over 70 buildings throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Yonkers area.
After spending over 25 years servicing the New York real estate market, they have learned a thing or two about residential and commercial real estate.
Today, Bajraktari Realty’s Florim and Gani Bajraktari join Iván Watanabe and George Papanicolaou to discuss their roles at the firm. Plus, they offer their latest updates on New York’s residential and commercial real estate market that you don’t want to miss!
In this episode, you will learn:
Who Bajraktari Realty works with
Why value and community are so important to Bajraktari Realty
The importance of calculating how manageable real estate is
Bajraktari Realty’s unique design process
And more!
Join this conversation today and find out what you need to consider before investing or leasing in New York real estate!
Getting a mortgage for your new home shouldn’t drain the joy out of accomplishing a lifelong goal. That’s why Cardinal Financial Company works to create a better mortgage experience so that your home buying process is simple and easy to navigate.
Today, Iván Watanabe sits down with the firm’s loan originator, Pat Tobin. Pat breaks down Cardinal Financial’s transparent and simple approach when providing clients with the home loans they need and provides tips for securing your next mortgage.
In this episode, you will learn:
What you need to know about the current mortgage marketplace
Pat’s advice for those who want to reassess their mortgage situation
The truth about cash out refinancing
Best practices to achieve a quick and seamless loan approval process
And more!
Whether you’re considering a new loan or refinancing, tune in today and discover everything you need to know about today’s mortgage landscape!
It’s never too early to start planning for your Medicare coverage.
If you’re ready to start thinking about your coverage, join Iván Watanabe in this informative episode as he sits down with Opus PC’s resident Medicare expert, Jim Ryan. They break down everything you need to know to understand the many parts of Medicare, including its different parts, its enrollment periods, and common Medicare mistakes. Plus, Jim reviews different considerations around Medicare that will help you achieve clarity around your plan.
In this episode, you will learn:
When you should start considering your Medicare options
Why you shouldn’t sign up for Medicare too early, nor too late
The difference between Medicare Parts A and B
About Medicare’s supplemental and advantage plan
And more!
Listen in and learn the basics of Medicare so you can start planning for your coverage today!
Kaplan Mobray is not only a best-selling author, but is also one of the world’s most dynamic and inspirational business speakers.
Now, you have the chance to learn some of Kaplan’s expert insight around designing your next phase of life!
In this episode, join Kaplan and Iván Watanabe as they discuss how Kaplan transforms lives with innovative and insightful strategies for finding purpose in retirement so that you can maximize your next phase of life.
In this episode, you will learn:
How Kaplan helps clients through life transitions
Kaplan’s advice for those in retirement, or those experiencing major life changes and transitions
Things to evaluate when preparing for your retirement
How teaching, volunteering, and mentoring can help you stay connected in retirement
And more!
Are you ready to discover why you should always live life by decision and not by default? Tune in today!
Are you someone who has applied, or is planning to apply, for a student loan?
Then this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
To bring you greater clarity around student loans, Iván Watanabe sits down with GradFin’s senior business development associate Joe McGrath for today’s episode. Joe explains GradFin’s role around applying, refinancing, and forgiving student loans and shares some must-know insight about this type of loan.
In this episode, you will learn:
How GradFin helps clients with their student loans
Joe’s advice to those applying for student loans
The difference between private and federal loans
About the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
And more!
From refinance to forgiveness, tune in today and learn everything you need to know about student loans in today’s marketplace!
How can you plan for the retirement you desire when there are many uncertainties that could impact it, like new economic and legislative changes?
Find out in this episode, as Iván Watanabe joins Rob Pruett to explore a fifth and final retirement threat, legislative and economic changes.
Rob discusses how proactive planning can help address the risk economic and legislative changes can bring to your retirement so that you can enjoy this life phase regardless of where the market, taxes, interest rates stand.
In this episode, you will learn:
The importance of understanding past and current interest rates
How different tax laws relate to retirement planning
Ways annuities can benefit retirees and pre-retirees
The importance of asset diversification
And more!
Listen today for tips and tricks that can help you secure your retirement despite ever-changing economic rules and regulations!
Our lifestyle plays a major role in defining our standard of living. It also impacts how we envision our retirements.
That’s why, along with the financial, it’s important to consider lifestyle planning as part of your retirement planning process.
In this episode, Iván Watanabe chats with Russell Carpentieri about the lifestyle component of retirement planning. Russell gives valuable advice around lifestyle planning for retirement and highlights the importance of advanced planning and having a disciplined savings strategy.
In this episode, you will learn:
The importance of consistency and discipline when preparing and saving for retirement
The advantages and disadvantages of lifestyle planning for retirement
Russell’s advice for retirees and pre-retirees
About Russell’s own retirement planning journey
And more!
Tune in today and find out how proactive planning can help you protect your lifestyle throughout your retirement!
Technology is constantly evolving. While technological improvements enhance our lives in many ways, its progress could also present threats to your retirement.
How?
Discover the answer in this episode, as Iván Watanabe sits down with George Papanicolaou to explore technology as a retirement threat. George reveals must-know cybersecurity and technology tips and tricks for retirees and pre-retirees and shares ways you can protect your retirement from this type of risk.
In this episode, you will learn:
Why you should be planning for technology-related costs
How the senior population is adapting to technological developments
The importance of cybersecurity education for older generations
How retirees and pre-retirees can use technology wisely and securely
And more!
Tune in and discover how you can strengthen your technological literacy for your retirement!
While most people know that the market can impact the value of their portfolio, not everybody realizes that other elements, like the sequence in which you withdraw from your investments, can also impact your portfolio’s value.
In part 2 of our retirement threats mini-series, Iván Watanabe chats with Adam Rolewicz about the sequence of returns risk and how it can affect your retirement. Adam defines this type of risk and its effects and shares ways you can plan ahead for this type of risk.
In this episode, you will learn:
About the sequence of returns risk
How the market impacts the sequence of your returns
Why you should consider cultivating assets outside of the market
The importance of being open-minded when planning for retirement
And more!
Tune in to learn different planning techniques that can help you avoid timing the market — and your retirement!
What concerns you most when it comes to your retirement?
Today, we launch a new five-part mini-series on retirement threats and how Opus Private Client helps clients avoid them through our WealthStyle planning process.
In part one, join Iván Watanabe and Lou Mohn as they explore health, lifestyle, and financial planning as areas of concern for pre-retirees — and how forward-thinking planning can help you address these concerns.
In this episode, you will learn:
What retirement means to Lou
Lou’s recommendations for achieving longevity and minimizing health risks
The importance of planning for certainty
The role of annuities in financial planning
And more!
Tune in and find out how proactive planning can help you enter retirement with confidence and clarity!
While we work hard to provide financial security for our children, it’s still important that we set them up for success by guiding them towards the right financial mindsets and behaviors.
In this episode, Iván Watanabe and Lou Mohn explore ways we can teach our kids crucial financial lessons — even when they’re raised in a financially secure environment. Lou shares his personal insight and tips for parenting around finances and reveals the financial lessons he’s taught his sons along the way.
In this episode, you will learn:
Early financial lessons Lou Mohn taught his children
Why you should let your child make mistakes
The importance of your child’s happiness
How to teach your kids about charitable giving
And more!
Discover concepts both parents and children should know in this episode of Wealth Style Podcast!
Are you ready to drive your golf game to the next level?
If so, tee up this episode of the WealthStyle Podcast and get ready to learn from Tom Patri himself!
As one of the top 100 golf teachers in America, Tom joins Russ Carpentieri to share actionable tips that amateur golfers can use to improve their game and reveals the ways golf has impacted our psychology and technology.
In this episode, you will learn:
Why you need quality golf equipment
Tom’s virtual golf teaching approach
The importance of maintaining a proper golf practice regime
How golf has helped foster family relationships
And more!
Tune in now to learn how you can upgrade your golf game today!
Are you a wine lover? Or, do you not know much about wine, but want to discover more about it?
If so, then this episode is for you!
Today, Iván Watanabe joins wine expert and certified sommelier, Sarah Tracey. To help you learn everything you need to know about wine, Sarah shares everything from her wine secrets to her tips and tricks for learning about your favourite type of wine.
In this episode, you will learn:
About the rise of virtual wine tastings
The difference between old world wine and new world wine
Wine etiquettes
How to start your own wine collection
And more!
Are you ready to perfect your wine knowledge? Grab a glass and tune in now!
Over the past several months, COVID-19 has left more people than ever questioning how they can protect their income.
To help you better understand your options, Iván Watanabe explores the value of disability insurance in today’s episode. In this information-packed episode, Iván dives into the value of this type of insurance and what you need to know about the ways it can protect you.
In this episode, you will learn:
Why you need to understand the definition of “disability”
The different types of disability insurance
What to think about when looking for disability insurance
About the process of getting disability insurance
And more!
Tune in now to learn more about disability insurance and why you should get it sooner rather than later!
As a new physician, how can you ensure that you’re protected as an employee?
This is something Stephanie Rodin and the Rodin Legal team help physicians with each and every day.
In this episode, Stephanie joins Iván Watanabe to break down the special considerations healthcare practitioners should keep in mind with their contracts. Stephanie reveals essential things to look out for when it comes to key areas like compensation, benefits, and malpractice coverage.
In this episode, you will learn:
How Stephanie helps healthcare professionals with their employment agreements
What healthcare workers should look for in their contracts
About restrictive covenants and how they can impact your future employment
How tail coverage works to protect you
And more!
Tune in to this information-packed episode today and discover key ways you can protect yourself as a physician and as an employee!
As an Opus Private Client planner and partner, Lou Mohn provides clients with personalized comprehensive financial planning by drawing not only on his knowledge and expertise, but also on his first-hand experience in working with Opus PC as a client himself.
Today, Lou joins Iván Watanabe to share his experience of working with Opus PC as a client, and why it inspired him to pursue a career as an advisor so he, too, could provide clients with the wealth, lifestyle, and purpose they seek.
In this episode, you will learn:
How working with Opus PC changed Lou’s life
What the Opus PC planning process looks like
Why time spent planning up front will provide you value later on
How Opus’ planning can help you get through hard times
And more!
Tune in now to learn about Lou’s journey with Opus PC — and what their planning process could bring you, too, as an Opus PC client!
With the presidential election just around the corner and the COVID-19 crisis continuing on, 2020 has brought a time of uncertainty for many investors.
To explore our current environment and the investment planning that should go along with it, Iván Watanabe joins Robert Pruett in today’s episode. Robert shares what has been happening as a result of the global pandemic, both in the market and for clients. He also reveals how some of OPUS’ planning ideals have helped clients weather the short-term craziness of the year, all the while staying on track with their long-term plans.
In this episode, you will learn:
How the market has changed as a result of COVID-19
Three buckets you should consider putting money into
Benefits of hiring a professional financial planner
The importance of understanding your personal tax rate
And more!
Tune in now and discover how COVID-19 has impacted the investing landscape — and what you as an investor should keep in mind during this time of uncertainty!
When it comes to the physical and economic impact of COVID-19, many are questioning what our future could look like, especially from a policy standpoint.
To explore this question, Iván Watanabe joins Joshua Caron for today’s episode. As the vice president of legislative affairs at AALU & GAMA, Joshua shares his insight into the government’s reaction to the economic crisis created by COVID-19, the possible repercussions of the government’s financial aid, and how the government might recuperate post-COVID.
In this episode, you will learn:
The impact of the initial COVID relief efforts
How current events influence the election
About the possibility of liability protection for businesses
How the government could recover from the benefits they’ve granted
And more!
Tune in now to learn how the government has provided relief throughout the COVID-19 crisis — and what it could mean for the country’s financial tomorrow.
Have you created your will yet? If not, what will happen to your assets when you pass away?
In this episode, OPUS Private Client senior founder Michael Perry joins Anthony Enea, an elder law attorney with years of experience with elder law, wills, trusts and estates, asset protection, and special needs planning. Today, Anthony shares his expertise on the importance of creating a will and the impact it can have on your assets, while also answering common questions about estate planning.
In this episode, you will learn:
The importance of creating a will
The difference between a trust and a will
How marriage can impact your asset distribution
The difficulties with using free online services
And more!
Tune in now for your run-down on what you need to know about estate planning with wills and trusts!
With the pandemic precautions, returning to school is a concerning issue for many parents. What will their children’s education look like throughout the 2020-2021 school year?
In this episode, Ivan Watanabe is joined by OPUS partner George Papanicolaou and educational consultant Elaine Avinoam. Elaine shares her insight into the changes to schooling due to COVID-19 and the impact it could have on children, both in curriculum and in childrens’ socialization.
In this episode, you will learn:
How schools are adapting to social distancing precautions
How childhood socialization will be impacted by hybrid or virtual education
What homeschooling could look like when done in “pods”
Tips for teachers who are nervous about teaching in this environment
The logistics of transitioning from the classroom to virtual learning or a hybrid model
And more!
Discover how the 2020-2021 school year will be impacted by COVID-19 precautions.
Are you getting the most out of your company benefits?
In this episode, Russ Carpentieri and Iván Watanabe encourage you to stop leaving company benefits on the table and start using them. Find out which benefits people overlook the most, why people don’t enroll for good benefits, and, most importantly, how to start using benefits to your advantage.
In this episode, you will learn:
The importance of understanding your benefits
How you can increase your benefits
The difference between company benefits and street benefits
How to start the enrollment process within your company
And more!
Tune in now to learn how to make the most of your company benefits!
As your life changes, so will your financial planning needs. One major transition that can shift your financial picture is starting a family.
But what should you consider around your financial planning when it comes to starting your family?
Today, Iván Watanabe joins OPUS Private Client’s George Papanicolaou to discuss financial planning considerations for young families. Together, they reveal key questions you should ask when planning for your first child and share planning ideas for after you welcome your first child.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The financial steps you should take when planning for a baby
Why you should get your documents in order
The importance of locking your child’s social security number
How your income plays a role when planning around your child
And more!
Tune in now to discover the importance of financial planning when starting your family!
A lot has changed over the years, including our lifespans, goals, and view of what makes the perfect retirement. How is financial planning adapting to this changing landscape?
To examine some of these changes, Iván Watanabe joins wealth advisor Rob Pruett for today’s episode. Together, they discuss the effect COVID-19 has had on retirees and where the future of retirement planning could be heading with younger generations.
In this episode, you will learn:
The impact life expectancy has on retirement planning
What young people are looking for with their futures
The importance of saving early
Strategies for after retirement
And more!
Tune in now to learn more about the retirement landscape in our current environment and beyond!
Over the years, Russ Carpentieri and Iván Watanabe have noticed that clients who have the greatest level of financial success and personal satisfaction share very common behaviors and qualities.
Today, Russ and Iván delve into these common characteristics, how they ultimately impact the planning process, and how clients move forward with their wealth, lifestyle, and purpose.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What role a client’s mindset plays in their success
What gap in the market Opus is filling for clients
Examples of the client journey when working with the Opus team
And more!
Tune in now to learn more about Opus Private Client and consider whether you’d be a good match for their services!
Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Wealth Style podcast!
In this debut episode, get to know your hosts, Russell Carpentieri and Iván Watanabe, and the work they do to help clients at Opus Private Client move their wealth, purpose, and lifestyle forward with clarity and confidence.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What drove Russell to found Opus PC
What sets Opus PC apart from other financial planning firms
How Opus PC gives back through the Opus Foundation
How Russell and Iván define success
And more!
Join Russell and Iván now to learn about who they are professionally and personally — and to find out what’s to come from the Wealth Style podcast!
