- Roth IRAWe can help manage almost any investment account type that a client may have including: Individual, Joint Tenants, Corporate, Partnerships, Estate, Trust, Custodial, Profit Sharing, Money Purchase Pension, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, IRA Rollovers, Educational IRA’s, Simple IRA, SEP IRA, 401(k), Individual 401(k), Keogh, 529 Plans and other account types.
- Income TaxA bond is essentially a loan made by an investor to a division of the government, a government agency, or a corporation. The bond is a promissory note to repay the loan in full at the end of a fixed time period. The date on which the principal must be repaid is the called the maturity date, or maturity. In addition, the issuer of the bond, that is, the agency or corporation receiving the loan and issuing the promissory note, agrees to make regular payments of interest at a rate initially stated on the bond. Interest from bonds is taxable based on the type of bond. Corporate bonds are fully taxable, municipal bonds issued by state or local government agencies are free from federal income tax and usually free from taxes of the issuing jurisdiction, and Treasury bonds are subject to federal taxes but not state and local taxes. Bonds are rated according to many factors, including cost, degree of risk, and rate of income.
- Investment ManagementSince our founding, Marathon is proud to state that we have provided fee-only investment management services. In doing so, we have eliminated any possible conflict of interest that could affect our judgment. Our only compensation is the fee you pay us (“fee-only”), which means our only motivation is to always work in your best interest. We do not tolerate the conflicts of interest and compromises that come with accepting brokerage commissions, insurance commissions, participation fees, any form of product sales compensation, or soft dollars. We are proud to state that Marathon meets the strict definition of “fee-only” set forth by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.
- Mutual FundsPerhaps the biggest deception in the investment world today is the way in which many financial advisors lead investors to believe that they are getting “free” investment advice. What these “fee-based” and “commission-based” advisors neglect to tell their clients is that the advisor is being handsomely paid through “hidden” fees that are levied against the client’s accounts. These fees come in the form of one-time expenses that are as high as 8.5%, and annually recurring fees as high as 2%-3% for many commissions-based mutual funds. (Refer to this report on mutual funds by the Securities and Exchange Commission to gain a better understanding of these fees.) Unfortunately, many investors are frequently taken advantage of and tricked into believing that they are getting something for nothing.
- Bonds
- Money Market FundsA 401k plan is a retirement plan sponsored by employers. Employees may choose to have a portion of their salary deferred to any of the 401k investment choices selected by the employer. The employer may also contribute to the employee’s 401k by matching a portion of the investment (for example, $.50 for every $1.00 the employee invests). The investments to which money is deferred may include stocks, bonds, money market funds, and company stocks. Monies deferred into the 401k are allowed to grow tax-free, and these monies are subtracted from the employee’s taxable income. The maximum amount allowed to be contributed to a 401k changes annually. If money is withdrawn from the 401k before the employee turns 59 1/2, the individual may have to pay penalties. If the individual changes jobs, the monies in the 401k may be rolled over to a 401k of the new employer or to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
- Accounting ServicesFor investment companies, the management fee and “other expenses,” including the expenses for maintaining shareholder records, providing shareholders with financial statements, and providing custodial and accounting services. For 12b-1 funds, selling and marketing costs are also included.
- Financial PlanningAt Marathon Strategic Advisors, LLC (Marathon), we create custom-made investment portfolios based on a client’s unique financial goals, risk tolerances, investment return expectations, investment horizons, tax situation, and cash flow needs. We specialize in developing, implementing, and maintaining investment portfolios for individual investors (including all forms of retirement accounts), corporations (including 401(k)s and pensions), trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. Additionally when needed, we offer financial planning insight to clients.
- Retirement PlanningA pension plan obliging the sponsor to make specified dollar payments to qualifying employees. The pension obligations are effectively the debt obligation of the plan sponsor. Related: Defined contribution plan
- AnnuitiesWe are not stockbrokers, and we do not have relationships with any other financial firm. We do not sell insurance, annuities, or any other products. We are fee-only, independent investment consultants who specialize in managing investment portfolios for our clients. Since we are only compensated directly by our clients and receive no commissions or economic reward from any other party, we do not have conflicts of interest. With this no-conflict reward system, clients can be assured that we only craft investment solutions and initiate security transactions that we believe are in our client’s best interest. Our goal is to maximize our client’s wealth, not our own!
- Asset ManagementFrom these discussions, we begin to formulate a strategy that includes determining an appropriate asset allocation and creating an Investment Policy Statement (if necessary). An Investment Policy Statement is a written document that clearly sets out the client’s goals, investment horizon, liquidity needs, tax consideration, risk tolerances, return objectives and unique circumstances. A properly developed investment policy supports long-term discipline. It also helps ensure that market volatility (causing overconfidence or panic) will not lead to ad-hoc revisions in strategy.
- Charitable Remainder Trusts
- Charitable Lead TrustsAn irrevocable trust that pays income to a designated person or persons until the grantor’s death, when the income is passed on to a designated charity. A charitable lead trust by contrast allows the charity to receive income during the grantor’s life, and the remaining income to pass to designated family members upon the grantor’s death.