1. One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What It Means for Your Plan
2. The Triumph is in the Trying: Mid-Year Market Update
3. Celebrating Team Milestones
4. Beck Bode Book Club: Summer Reads
5. Latest NoBondsCast Episodes

One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What It Means for Your Plan

On July 4th, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law after the House approved the changes made by the Senate on July 3rd. This comprehensive legislation includes numerous tax and finance-related provisions that will impact retirement planning, tax strategies, and wealth preservation for years to come.

Key Changes:

• Permanent Tax Rates: Current tax rates and brackets established under the TCJA are now permanent and will continue to be indexed for inflation
• Enhanced SALT Deduction: Cap increased from $10,000 to $40,000 for qualifying taxpayers (2025-2029)
• Additional Bonus Deduction for Seniors: Up to $6,000 for single filers and $12,000 for joint filers age 65+ (through 2028)
• Estate Tax Changes: Exemption made permanent and indexed for inflation, increasing to $15 million per person in 2026
• Trump Accounts: New tax-advantaged savings vehicles for children and grandchildren with government seed funding for newborns
• Tax-Free Income Opportunities: New deductions for tips, overtime pay, and car loan interest on American-made vehicles

Note: Some provisions take effect this calendar year, while others will be implemented in 2026 and beyond.

Our team has thoroughly analyzed this legislation to help you understand how these changes might affect your financial planning strategies going forward.

Read our complete analysis →

Schedule a Review: Connect with our team to schedule a comprehensive review of how the OBBBA affects your specific financial situation and retirement plans. 

The Triumph is in the Trying: Mid-Year Market Update

By Benjamin Beck, CFP®

Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer

Growing up in South Portland, Maine, you didn’t have to be a runner to know the name Joan Benoit. The Cape Elizabeth native was a legend on the roads, long before she shocked the world in 1984 by winning the very first Olympic women’s marathon.

But to truly appreciate what she did, you have to remember when she did it.

Joan came of age in an era when women were discouraged—and in some cases, barred—from participating in distance running. Many believed women weren’t physiologically capable of handling endurance events. Even medical professionals and race directors said it would be too damaging, too risky, too much.

It wasn’t until 1972, just twelve years before her Olympic triumph, that Title IX was passed—finally requiring schools and universities to provide equal athletic opportunities to women. But access didn’t equal acceptance. The resistance was still strong. There were no guarantees, no cheerleaders, and certainly no proven path to Olympic gold.

Joan didn’t let that stop her. She trained relentlessly. She tuned out the noise. And when the world finally watched, she didn’t just win—she dominated from start to finish.

Her story isn’t just about running. It’s about conviction. Patience. The quiet courage to stick with a long-term goal in the face of fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

And in that way, it’s exactly what successful investing looks like.

Read Ben's full market update →

Celebrating Our Team's Milestones

We're proud to celebrate two remarkable milestones this month:

Bonnie Barley, Traverse City, MI - 20 Years of Service Bonnie's journey in financial services began in 2005 when she joined Intentional Wealth Advisors in Traverse City, Michigan, which merged with Beck Bode in 2022. With organization as her core skill set, Bonnie has developed and maintained the systems that keep our clients happy and our operations running smoothly. Her attention to detail and commitment to creating efficient processes have been invaluable to our firm and clients alike.

Joan Waters, Salem, NH- 21 Years of Service Joan's career in financial services started as a Client Services Specialist at firms offering executive and employee benefits. She originally joined Boston Retirement Advisors, which became part of Beck Bode in 2015. Her dedication to making clients feel like family while maintaining professionalism, self-discipline, and meticulous attention to detail has been a cornerstone of our client service experience.

Both Bonnie and Joan exemplify our commitment to exceptional service and personal connections. We're grateful for their years of dedication and the positive impact they've had on countless client relationships! 

Beck Bode Book Club: Summer Reading Recommendations

Looking for your next great read? Our team has some suggestions to enjoy during these warm summer days:

	Beth Price Director of Operations / Advisory Operations Team Lead  - Traverse City, MI   My Friends by Fredrik Backman "Another fabulous book by Fredrik Backman. He wrote A Man Called Ove, Anxious People, and others. My Friends was just released this spring. It is moving, sad, funny, and almost poetic. There are so many fantastic quotes nearly every page is dog-eared. The characters are all so beautifully developed and the friendships are just so touching."
	Meg Curry, CFP® Director of Financial Planning   Still Life (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel, 1) by Louise Penny "Absolutely hooked since I was first introduced to this author and her series. Louise Penny is a Canadian author, and Gamache is the chief inspector with the Sûreté du Québec (homicide division)."
	Benjamin Beck, CFP® Managing Partner / Chief Investment Officer   Dancing with the Analysts by David Mallach "Neither technical, nor tedious, this is not a book about finance. To the contrary, it's a book about human behavior, and about making choices under pressure. Written by my mentor, it brilliantly illustrates our firm's investment philosophy through an accessible story that changed how I approach money—shifting from fear to principled reasoning. Want a copy for yourself? Request a free copy here.
	Joan Waters Client Services Manager - Salem, NH   The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah "This story is based in war torn France during World War II and depicts the struggles of two sisters trying to survive and resist the German occupation. This novelist's genre style is historical romance with an emphasis on stories of female power and strength."
	Bonnie Barley Client Services Manager - Traverse City, MI   The Finlay Donovan Series by Elle Cosimano "Start with Book #1, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. Mystery (not a genre I usually like), not graphic, laugh-out-loud funny in parts (think Lucy & Ethel!), with a touch of romance."

Share your summer reads with us! →

Latest NoBondsCast Episodes

3 Key Retirement Mistakes Most Over 45 Make

In this most recent episode, Ben Beck, CFP® and Jim Bode tackle the financial blind spots that can derail mid-career professionals. Through real-world examples, they reveal why your 20-something investment strategy won't cut it at 45, how to determine your actual retirement needs (not just a guess), and the distribution rate strategies that keep your money working long after you stop. Essential listening for anyone in their prime earning years who wants to be intentional about their financial future.

Declaration of Financial Independence: What Freedom Really Means

Just in time for Independence Day, Ben Beck, CFP® and Jim Bode cut through the noise about what financial freedom actually looks like. They share success stories that demonstrate how personalized planning creates true independence, why more financial information doesn't always lead to better decisions, and practical approaches to optimizing tax strategies and retirement accounts. Discover how being intentional today creates the freedom to choose tomorrow.

That wraps up our July issue of The Long View. Until next month, remember that the triumph truly is in the trying – both in running marathons and in building wealth.

Thanks for reading, and for your continued trust in us.

From all of us at Beck Bode