Executives

Executive Wealth: Aligning Success with a Secure Future

For many executives, the career path has been one of sustained success. With that success comes complexity. Between equity compensation, stock options, deferred compensation plans, concentrated company stock, and significant tax considerations, the question becomes whether their wealth is working in the smartest way possible.

Executives often come to Arbor with strong instincts and a clear view of what they want their money to achieve. What they don’t always have is the time or desire to dig into every detail — or the confidence that all their advisors are coordinated and aligned. Our role is to be the trusted partner who pulls all the pieces together, ensuring decisions are strategic, tax-aware, and aligned with both career and life goals.

Here’s what that often looks like:

• Clarifying the total compensation picture, from salary and bonuses to stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and deferred comp programs.
• Reviewing concentrated stock exposure and building a diversification plan that balances risk reduction with tax efficiency.
• Exploring strategies such as tax-loss harvesting, charitable gifting of appreciated shares, and (when available) planning for a Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) transaction within a 401(k) to unlock long-term capital gains treatment.
• Modeling different scenarios for exercising options and selling stock, weighing market risk, cash flow needs, and the timing of income recognition.
• Coordinating with CPAs and estate planning attorneys to align tax planning, cash flow, and wealth transfer strategies.
• Evaluating 401(k) plans, deferred comp, and other retirement savings tools to maximize growth while maintaining flexibility.
• Designing an asset allocation strategy that accounts for employer stock, overall market exposure, and long-term goals.
• Reviewing insurance coverage and liquidity needs to ensure protection against unforeseen risks.
• Building estate and legacy strategies, making sure family members, charitable interests, and future generations are thoughtfully provided for.