High-net-worth individuals are increasingly targets of AI-driven cyberthreats, with impersonation scams rising 148% last year, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. Sid Yenamandra, CEO of SurgeONE.ai, advises clients to create plans such as family codewords, limit social media exposure, enable multifactor authentication, consider trusts to shield assets and engage cybersecurity specialists. "As AI-enabled cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, HNW individuals must take proactive steps to protect their safety, privacy and legacy," Yenamandra writes.

Financial advisers and their clients should consider the impact of dependent children on Social Security claiming strategies. A case study illustrates how a couple with two dependent children faces complex decisions, balancing the need to claim benefits for the children before they turn 18 against maximizing survivor benefits. The study shows that the difference between the best and worst strategies can amount to nearly $150,000 in lifetime benefits.

Financial advisers' confidence in the economy and stock market declined in September, with the Advisor Sentiment Index showing a 6-point drop in market sentiment and a 12-point drop in economic sentiment -- the steepest one-month decline in two years. Advisers cited political instability, ineffective governance and tariff policies as major risks. Despite this, 50% of respondents said they expect economic improvement over the next year, and 65% remain bullish on the stock market.

Organic growth stands out as the most reliable indicator of a firm's long-term health, demonstrating that a company is retaining clients, building strong relationships and attracting new business through reputation and referrals, rather than relying solely on acquisitions, writes Christian Mango of OneDigital. Firms with consistent organic growth have scalable processes, empowered advisers and a resilient business model, making their equity fundamentally more valuable, Mango writes.

As $120 trillion in wealth is set to be transferred over the next 25 years, next-generation financial advisers are preparing to capitalize on inheritors' tendency to switch wealth managers. Only 27% of inheritors plan to keep their benefactor's adviser, often due to a lack of relationship. Advisers such as Brian Mills of Savvy Advisors and Cameron Rogers of Angeles Wealth Management emphasize the importance of empathy, transparency and technology integration in building relationships with clients.

Gregory Kanarian of Natixis Investment Managers plans to accelerate charitable giving in 2025 to address changes from the recently passed tax and spending legislation, including a new 0.5% adjusted gross income floor. Kanarian suggests that financial advisers work with clients to boost giving in 2025, particularly using donor-advised funds and appreciated stock.

High-income residents in states with steep local taxes are set to benefit from the increase in the state and local tax deduction cap to $40,000 from $10,000. The Tax Policy Center says about 11% of households could benefit from the SALT deduction for tax year 2025, with an average $2,600 in savings. Strategies to maximize the benefit include accelerating state tax payments and charitable donations.

A widow's case study demonstrates how selecting the optimal Social Security claiming sequence can result in the highest possible lifetime payout. The most advantageous approach involves claiming a reduced survivor benefit at 61 and 7 months, then switching to her own maximized worker benefit at age 70, resulting in a projected lifetime benefit of $705,072. In contrast, the least effective strategy would have yielded just $475,040, highlighting the critical role of strategic planning in benefit maximization.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents to a Capital Group Companies paper indicate that they would prefer an investment strategy that offers lower risk with lower returns as opposed to higher risk with higher returns. In addition, 60% said they would prioritize generating a steady income rather than reinvesting.