Mesirow is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month over the coming month and we invite you to join us in recognizing the histories cultures and contributions of individuals whose ancestors came from Spain Mexico the Caribbean and Central and South America Mesirow remains dedicated to hearing diverse voices because we make better decisions when wide-ranging perspectives are included in the…

Mesirow now providing RIA services for WEX an industry leader in employee benefits and the nation’s fifth-largest HSA custodian, Continued growth for Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions reflects accelerating HSA marketplace , Employees leveraging multiple benefits of HSA pre-tax contributions  , CHICAGO December 5 2023, – Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions a division of Mesirow an independent employee-owned financial services firm today announced that it is now providing registered investment advisor (RIA services for WEX (NYSE WEX the global commerce platform that simplifies the business of running a business and the nation’s fifth-largest HSA custodian WEX technology powers approximately 75 million HSAs with…, Mike Annin, President of Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions, “We look forward to a long-term relationship” HSAs are becoming more accessible as more employers offer qualified HSA plans to their employees and employees are expanding their understanding of HSAs to not only cover medical expenses with pre-tax dollars in the near term but also to leverage as a long-term solution  to support their future financial goals HSAs have grown in popularity over the…, Adam Cohen Director of HSA Strategy and Investments WEX, “Although HSA investing is growing in popularity there are still so many who could benefit from participating in HSA investing and have not taken full advantage of it Mesirow and financial advisors across the country will be instrumental in educating Americans about the value of HSA investing” Strong utilization amongst younger investors supports a strong future of asset and account growth…, About Mesirow , Mesirow is an independent employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937 Headquartered in Chicago with offices around the world we serve clients through a personal custom approach to reaching financial goals and acting as a force for social good With capabilities spanning Global Investment Management Capital Markets & Investment Banking and Advisory Services we invest in what matters…, About WEX, WEX (NYSE WEX is the global commerce platform that simplifies the business of running a business WEX has created a powerful ecosystem that offers seamlessly embedded personalized solutions for its customers around the world Through its rich data and specialized expertise in simplifying benefits reimagining mobility and paying and getting paid WEX aims to make it easy for companies to overcome…

Renee Schreiber is Head of Enterprise Risk Management Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Mesirow  In this capacity Renee is responsible for overseeing the identification and management of risks to the firm and its businesses advising the company and Mesirow Board of Directors on general corporate matters and employment issues  Renee leads the Mesirow Response Team responsible for…

Key goals included workspace optimization implementation of state-of-the-art technology and enhancing collaboration with new functional areas for employees and clients, Firm’s presence in headquarters remains more than 100000 square feet, Project emphasized sustainability and positive community impact for area families schools and nonprofits, CHICAGO February 10 2025, – Mesirow an independent employee-owned financial services firm today announced the completion of a significant renovation project at its headquarters located at 353 N Clark Following a strategic decision to extend the firm’s lease for an additional ten years this work is part of a broader multi-year strategy to optimize the firm’s 20-plus offices globally and reaffirms Mesirow’s deep-rooted…, Natalie Brown, Mesirow CEO, “We look forward to gathering in spaces that will create a more sustainable future and support our intentional ‘best places to work’ culture”, Positive community impact, 99% of interiors and supplies donated to 15 Minority and Women-Owned (MWBE nonprofit businesses 350+ students supplied with needed items for fall classes and 30 new classrooms stocked  1000+ people in Chicago communities positively impacted, Deepened sustainability, More than 80% of furniture reused or repurposed 25 apartments furnished for Chicago area families in need  165000 pounds of paper recycled 75% less go forward energy consumption through LED lighting 150% increase in recycling through updated standards 90%+ reduction in annual waste as first corporate deskside composting partner with WasteNot Compost To learn more visit mesirowcom/responsibility , About Mesirow , Mesirow is an independent employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937 Headquartered in Chicago with offices around the world we serve clients through a personal custom approach to reaching financial goals and acting as a force for social good With capabilities spanning Global Investment Management Capital Markets & Investment Banking and Advisory Services we invest in what matters…

When finding a place to call home the decision to rent or buy can impact your lifestyle and financial situation Both renting and buying offer distinct advantages and considerations and it is important that you carefully evaluate them before making a decision, For example while renting provides the flexibility to change locations easily and typically requires less upfront costs buying a home offers the potential for building equity and the freedom to personalize and invest in your property By understanding the differences that affect your lifestyle and your pocketbook youll be better equipped to make an informed choice that aligns with the life you…, The cost to get started, One of the first things to consider as you consider whether now is the time to rent or buy is how much of an initial investment of time and money you are prepared to put into your new residence There are significant differences in up-front costs and ongoing maintenance and improvement costs to consider, Renters, When you rent you should expect to pay an application fee and security deposit of 1-3 months in rent payments The security deposit is usually refunded back to you either at the beginning of the lease as a credit towards your first monthly payment or when the lease terminates assuming there are no damages to the rental property, Buyers, When you buy you should expect to pay an earnest money deposit (typically $1000-$2000 to ensure that you are a serious buyer this deposit is usually applied to your closing cost if you purchase the property In addition your mortgage provider will generally require a down payment of 20% of the home purchase price Exceptions can be made using special mortgage programs such as FHA or first-time…, Insights into your monthly payments, Both renters and homeowners share responsibility for monthly payments Whether renting or buying it is important to consider your financial situation and adhere to general guidelines that recommend spending 28% or less of your gross monthly income on housing expenses and a maximum of 36% of your gross income on all debts 1, Renters, As a renter you typically pay monthly rent to a landlord or property management company each month based on your negotiated lease for a specified period, Homeowners, As a homeowner your monthly payment is based on a predetermined amortization schedule that involves paying back your mortgage loan plus interest over time often 15-30 years Property taxes and homeowners insurance can also be included in this payment schedule if the mortgage company is responsible for paying the bills on your behalf Your interest rate can significantly impact the overall…, Taxes and insurance add up, When comparing renting and buying a home you must also consider property taxes and insurance costs, Renters, As a renter it is recommended that you purchase renters insurance to protect your home But since you do not own the property or building you dont have to worry about paying property taxes since the landlord takes care of that, Homeowners, When you buy a home you may receive some tax benefits like deducting property taxes and mortgage interest payments from your taxes Since these deductions may help reduce your tax bill we recommend you speak with your accountant about this as part of your buying decision, Building equity, One of the most significant advantages of buying a home is the opportunity to build equity Equity refers to the portion of the propertys value that you truly own As you make mortgage payments over time this will gradually reduce the loan amount and increase your equity stake in the property Additionally property values may appreciate over the years further contributing to equity growth This…, Maintaining a home, Another critical distinction between renting and buying a home lies in the responsibility for home maintenance, Renters, As a renter you may enjoy the advantage of not being directly responsible for the upkeep and repairs on the property When a maintenance issue arises such as a leaky faucet or a malfunctioning appliance it is typically the landlords or property management companys responsibility to address and resolve these issues at no cost to you, Homeowners, As a homeowner you are responsible for maintaining the property Annual home maintenance costs which can range from 1% to 4% of the homes value 2 are necessary to ensure the propertys upkeep preserve its value and address any repairs or upgrades that may be required This responsibility can be a significant consideration as it requires time effort and financial resources to maintain a home properly…, Factoring in flexibility and stability, Flexibility and stability are two important lifestyle factors that differentiate renting and buying a home, Renters, As a renter you may enjoy more flexibility in the ability to change locations relatively easily and less responsibility when it comes to the financial obligations of owning a home However this flexibility may come with accrued short-term costs — such as moving expenses — and the need to purchase new furniture to accommodate new properties, Homeowners, Homeownership tends to imply a longer-term commitment and therefore greater stability allowing you to establish roots and build a sense of community, How to decide whats best for you, The decision between renting and buying a home involves weighing various factors that impact personal finances lifestyle preferences and long-term goals Understanding the fundamental differences between the two options is essential for making an informed choice Renting offers flexibility minimal maintenance responsibilities and the absence of property taxes but lacks the potential for building…, Published January 2025, [1] https//wwwcnbccom/select/what-is-the-28-36-rule-for-buying-a-home/#~text=According%20to%20the%2028%2F36(including%20your%20mortgage%20payment [2] https//fortunecom/recommends/mortgages/renting-vs-buying-a-home/   [3] https//wwwusatodaycom/story/money/personalfinance/real-estate/2022/02/12/average-american-home-costs-3-k-per-year-to-maintain/49780837/  

Experience is often a good teacher However when approaching retirement watching the path of others before you may not provide adequate guidance Retirement has changed greatly in recent decades and yours may be different from what your parents and grandparents experienced As a result your preparation and expectations may need to change to be ready for a 21st century retirement , A few key changes to retirement include the fact that we have greater longevity fewer safety nets and possibly greater responsibilities This may be countered with greater personal freedom and lifestyle opportunities To prepare for what retirement could be for you it is important to understand a few retirement myths and what retirement may not be , Myth 1 My employer will provide for my retirement, Prior generations benefited from having employer-based plans that guaranteed lifetime income and benefits Although several employers such as units of government and large corporations still have defined benefit pension plans that guarantee fixed monthly payments most employers do not Today fewer than 20% of companies have traditional pension plans Beginning in the late 1970s 1 many of such plans…, Myth 2 Social Security will cover my needs, Social Security has historically been a consistent source of income for retirees Its payments also adjust for inflation which is helpful in keeping up with the cost of living Unfortunately many living expenses such as housing and energy have had inflation at a rate that exceeds the overall average  Social Security payments once covered the majority of household expenses In recent times it is only…, Myth 3 My inheritance will provide for my retirement, It is estimated that the Silent and Baby Boomer generations will transfer approximately $30 trillion to $68 trillion upon their death The large amount of potential inherited wealth has made many family members more optimistic about inheriting wealth Although a record level of wealth has been created family members of those with financial means should not assume they will be the beneficiaries …, Myth 4 Medicare and my employer will provide for my health care, According to the Society for Human Resource Managements (SHRM’s 2024 Employee Benefits Survey Report only 24% of large companies provide retiree health coverage for their employees 3 You can wait until you qualify for Medicare benefits at age 65 However Medicare does not cover all health-related expenses such as long-term care and hospitalization in certain situations Gaining an understanding of…, Myth 5 My spouse will provide for my retirement , Research shows that many times couples are on different pages when it comes to saving for retirement Although your spouse might be a good earner don’t assume a plan is in place to provide for you in retirement In one study conducted by The Harris Poll a research organization of those individuals who reported their partner is saving for retirement roughly one in five said they don’t know how much…, Myth 6 My lifespan is 75 to 85 years , The fastest-growing population age group is 85+ Because of this expanded lifespan living to age 100 may become relatively common Currently individuals who reach age 60 have a 50% chance of turning 90 5, Myth 7 Safe investments such as CDs and T-Bills are all you need, As retirees in the 21st century experience greater longevity than those before them it’s possible for them to have a lifespan that reaches age 90 or higher A retirement portfolio built on treasury bonds and CDs made sense for earlier generations when life expectancies were shorter and inflation was tame but that may not be the situation facing future retirees  A no-risk portfolio may lead to the…, Myth 8 We only have to plan for ourselves in retirement, In recent times there has been recognition of the sandwich generation where individuals provide for both their children and aging relatives Currently approximately 25% of individuals have the responsibility of preparing for retirement while still supporting children and caring for an older adult Most notably 54% of individuals in their 40’s have the responsibility 6 According to an AARP survey…, Summary , Understanding the full value of your resources can lead to a more positive experience in all stages of retirement Mesirow Wealth Management has an 88-year history of advising clients through life events including career transition to retirement We can provide guidance as you figure out what the value of career transition will be for you Published May 2025 [1] 15 percent of private industry…

Most investors understand the significant tax benefits of using their qualified retirement accounts — such as their 401(ks IRAs and Roth IRAs — to build long-term wealth But did you know that these types of accounts also provide creditor protection, One of the lesser-known benefits of retirement accounts is this — Federal statues offer retirement accounts special treatment when subject to the claims of creditors This creditor protection can be a valuable tool in the event of a legal liability personal injury lawsuit or bankruptcy Accounts that receive special protection include 401(k plans pension plans profit sharing accounts SEP IRAs…, Type of Account, Bankruptcy protection, Legal liability protection, 401(ks, Unlimited protection 1 Unlimited protection 1, Pension plans, Unlimited protection 1 Unlimited protection 1, Profit sharing accounts, Unlimited protection 1 Unlimited protection 1, SEP IRAs, Unlimited protection 2 Regulated by state, SIMPLE IRAs, Unlimited protection 2 Regulated by state, 403(b plans, Unlimited protection 1 Unlimited protection 1, 457 plans, Unlimited protection 1 Unlimited protection 1, Traditional IRAs, Aggregate protection up to $1512350 (2022 2 Regulated by state, Roth IRAs, Aggregate protection up to $1512350 (2022 2 Regulated by state 1 Based on ERISA guidelines | 2 Based on BAPCPA guidelines, Account withdrawal protection from creditors, Furthermore withdrawals from an ERISA retirement plan can retain an enhanced level of creditor protection depending on the destination of the withdrawal Funds deposited to another employer’s ERISA plan maintain unlimited protection for both bankruptcy and legal liability Funds deposited to an IRA account consisting solely of rollover funds maintain unlimited protection for bankruptcy but not for…, Published January 2025, 1 Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA 2 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 3  https//wwwthebankruptcysiteorg/exemptions/federalhtml