HEATHROW/MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA, December 10, 2020 – CrossleyShear Wealth Management (CrossleyShear), a premier financial planning and wealth management team based in Merritt Island and Heathrow, Florida, announced today they were recognized for the fourth consecutive year on the Orlando Business Journal (OBJ) List of Top Philanthropic Companies and Organizations. The list acknowledges metro Orlando businesses with a physical presence or office in Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake Counties that deserve recognition in the community for their valuable corporate-sanctioned giving and volunteer programs.

CrossleyShear has consistently fostered a culture of social responsibility among its employees and traditionally contributes both financial support and hands-on volunteer time to benefit many local and national charities. In 2019, the company committed its efforts to providing much-needed financial support to local organizations that are personally meaningful to the team, including the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida, Tools 4 Seminole Schools and The Treatment Advocacy Center. They also provided support to several national organizations hand selected by the team including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Boys and Girls Club of America.

“This is an honor that’s extremely meaningful to our entire team because it demonstrates our commitment over the past four years to make a consistent and concerted effort to foster a deeply philanthropic corporate culture. With 2020 being such a challenging year, we’re pleased to continue making an impact,” stated Evan Shear, Co-Founder and Branch Manager of CrossleyShear Wealth Management and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. “We understand that charities are really feeling the decrease in funding due to the economic downturn from COVID-19. At the same time, charitable organizations are challenged with maintaining their level of support while meeting a dramatic increase in demand over last year. This year, more than ever, we’re proud to be able to carry on our tradition of supporting both local and national charities.”

“In addition to our team’s charitable efforts, we also get great satisfaction by helping our clients maximize their contributions to their favorite charitable organizations. Due to the recent CARES Act, we’re currently helping clients navigate the changes and determine the best way to strategize their contributions,” stated Dale Crossley, Co-Founder of CrossleyShear Wealth Management, Branch Manager and Financial Planner – RJFS. “Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) from an IRA are often earmarked as a charitable donation to help offset tax liability in the form of a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). This year, however, RMDs are temporarily suspended. Clients are pleased to learn that they can still achieve their charitable goals despite the CARES Act and we’re honored to help them in the most tax efficient way possible.”

The advisors at CrossleyShear manage $600 million in client assets* and offer a wide variety of services, including retirement planning, investment and asset management, trust and estate planning, education planning and executive wealth management. The company also serves the complex financial and wealth management needs of sports professionals through CSsports, a division of CrossleyShear Wealth Management.

To learn more about CrossleyShear Wealth Management and the team’s financial planning and wealth management solutions, visit CrossleyShear.com. For more information about CSsports, visit CSsports.net.

About CrossleyShear Wealth Management | Since 1998, CrossleyShear Wealth Management has served as a premier financial planning team dedicated to helping provide clients and families with innovative financial solutions and wealth management strategies. With offices in Heathrow and Merritt Island, Florida, the company’s tailored customer care philosophy and customized planning process helps empower its clients to achieve their financial goals and financial independence. For more information about CrossleyShear Wealth Management and its client-centric approach to financial planning, visit CrossleyShear.com.

About CSsports | CSsports is a division of CrossleyShear Wealth Management exclusively dedicated to serving the unique needs of sports professionals. Our success is driven by a promise to deliver personalized care and customized solutions for all aspects of our client’s financial life – before, during and after their sports career – ranging from everyday spending advice and retirement planning to managing investments, insurance, college savings and business planning. Visit CSsports.net to learn more about our sport’s professional services and solutions.

1515 International Parkway, Suite 2019, Heathrow, FL 32746 | 407.215.7575

2395 N. Courtenay Parkway, Suite 201, Merritt Island, FL 32953 | 321.452.0061

*As of 12/2020.

This ranking is not based in anyway on providing investment advice or management. This ranking is not indicative of advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Raymond James is not affiliated with Orlando Business Journal.

*Trust services offered through Raymond James Trust, N.A., a subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc. CrossleyShear Wealth Management and CSsports are not registered broker dealers and are independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Dear Valued Clients and Friends,

We hope this letter finds you and your loved ones well and enjoying the holiday season. We truly thank you for your business and for placing your trust and confidence in us all throughout the year. As this challenging year draws to a close, continuing our tradition of giving back in honor of our clients seems especially fitting. We’re very pleased to once again have each team member and their family select a charity to be the recipient of a CrossleyShear Wealth Management donation. Near and dear to our hearts, we have each selected the following charities for a donation.

Evan Shear, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
Our family’s choice this year has been especially difficult to narrow down. This has been a very trying year for many of us as we have personally seen so many close to us struggle with mental illness, addiction, cancer, COVID-19, and a number of other illnesses and disorders. As many of you know, we lost my mother, Sheila Shear, unexpectedly in July this year. Although not the cause of her passing, she had been battling kidney issues throughout her life. We have decided to make this year’s donation in her honor and memory to The American Kidney Fund.

W. Dale Crossley, Jr., JD, CWS®, Financial Planner
This year, I’ve selected Canines for Disabled Children for a donation. Their mission is to help children with medical needs gain more independence with the use of a service dog. I have witnessed first-hand the positive life changes, companionship and joy a service dog brings to a child with special needs with my own son and his complex medical issues. My youngest daughter has dedicated countless hours of service to this organization and has taken her own road in humanitarian service. I am honored to contribute and share in her passion for such a worthy cause.

Karin Hobin, Marketing Director
My family’s choice this year is Harvest Time International, a nonprofit humanitarian organization with a mission to bring help and hope to those who need it most. For more than 25 years, they have distributed much-needed supplies in times of disaster and supported our communities by providing food, clothing, and household essentials to children and families in need of help. This local organization is really making
a difference in our community during these difficult times.

Shaun Jones, Financial Advisor
I am thrilled that the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is my charity of choice. I selected this foundation because my stepfather battled pancreatic cancer and their mission is very important to me. All donations support much needed patient programs, research, clinical initiatives, and advocacy.

Jenny VanTassel, Client Services Associate
This year, our family would like to donate to the Celiac Disease Foundation. Celiac disease is one of the most prevalent genetic autoimmune diseases and is often overlooked for funding and research. Diagnosed individuals have difficult symptoms to endure and have little knowledge and understanding of their disease due to under-diagnosing and a lack of awareness.

Tracy Stuck, Operation Coordinator
Due to COVID-19 and the economic downturn, many homeless students or students of low-income households have felt the burden. As a single Mom with an adult son, I understand these struggles and I’ve been touched to see how schools have stepped up to support these students. There is an urgent need, which is why I am proud to put my support behind The Foundation. Food, school supplies and essential items are necessary for students to thrive and The Foundation is helping get students exactly what they need during this difficult time.

Catalina Mejia-Hensel, Financial Advisor
Our family would like to donate to the Boys and Girls Club this year. The club promotes a safe and
positive environment for youth and teenagers to reach their full potential as productive, kind and responsible citizens.

We hope the holiday brings you great joy and we wish you much health and prosperity in 2021!

Evan, Dale, Karin, Shaun, Jenny, Tracy and Catalina

Raymond James is not affiliated with any of the above-mentioned organizations.

From the Desk of Dale Crossley and Evan Shear

As we approach Thanksgiving, we’re hoping that you and your loved ones can find a safe way to celebrate – whether a smaller than usual gathering or via Zoom, it’s such a great day to think about what’s positive in your life and forget, even for a moment, about the negative of 2020. With the COVID-19 pandemic, rollercoaster-like markets and an unprecedented presidential election, 2020 will not soon be forgotten. Despite all that, we both feel that we have so much to be grateful for, particularly during these times. We speak for the entire team in saying that we’re extremely thankful for our clients. We truly appreciate you entrusting us with your financial well-being, particularly as we approached the uncertainty with the election cycle.

Leading up to, and now after the unprecedented presidential election, we’ve been completely inundated with news and headlines and not surprisingly, the election drew the highest percentage of registered voters since the presidential election in 1900. The polls predicted a blue wave, but as it stands today, Biden is President-elect, the Democrats maintain the House majority and the Republicans will most likely retain the Senate. However, much attention will be focused on runoff elections, particularly in Georgia. Recounts and potential legal challenges, in addition to runoff elections in January, could reshape what we know today, but probably not significantly.

Key Takeaways
Below are key takeaways related to economic policies that we expect to take shape in the new administration. These key takeaways are discussed in more detail by Larry Adam, CIO and Washington Policy Analyst, Ed Mills in Raymond James’ 2020 Election Policy Insights, a collection of videos and articles. (https://www.raymondjames.com/commentary-and-insights/washington-policy).

1. Watch for a new, probably smaller fiscal stimulus package, possibly by the end of the year and likely before December 11 when the federal spending agreement is set to expire.

2. Moving forward, the Fed monetary policy will likely remain largely the same, providing continued liquidity and low-interest rates.

3. Taxes will likely not increase if the Republicans maintain the majority in the Senate. Otherwise, a 10% decrease in corporate earnings is possible in 2021.

4. Look for improved trade relations, particularly with Europe, potentially resulting in increased earnings for large multinational U.S. companies.

The makeup of government in Washington, DC is important to your investments, but there are other essential components. The overall economy, earnings growth, the policy of the Fed and secular factors all play a part in the markets. These factors all have an effect on portfolio performance and we take them into consideration when constructing your portfolios. With that in mind, we hope you can forget about the headlines for just one day and enjoy some turkey and stuffing. We hope you and your loved ones have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.

There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Making Sense of Medicare Myths

Take the time to learn the facts behind these common Medicare misconceptions.

Retirement planning is complex, at best, but when you throw Medicare into the mix, it can get downright confusing. Many pre-retirees find the program hard to navigate without some guidance. Here are the facts about five common Medicare myths.

Myth: Medicare offers free healthcare.

Fact: Not quite. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, known more simply as the Affordable Care Act, allows beneficiaries an annual well­ness check at no charge. Beneficiaries also are entitled to free recommended preventive screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans. For most people, Medicare Part A – which covers hospital stays and services up to certain limits – does not require a premium. But that’s it. You’re still responsible for copays, coinsurance and deductibles.

For instance, you’ll pay a $1,408 deductible in 2020 before Part A coverage kicks in for hospital stays of up to 60 days.

Just like health insurance during your working years, the other parts of Medicare also have premiums, copays, coinsurance and deductibles.

• The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B in 2020 is $144.60.
• You’ll pay more if you’re single and earn more than $87,000 or $174,000 for a married couple filing jointly.
• High earners will face a surcharge ranging from $12.20 to $76.40 per month, depending on income, for Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
• Many Medicare beneficiaries purchase a Medigap supplemental insurance plan to help cover out-of-pocket costs.

Myth: Medicare covers everything.

Fact: Not true. For example, dental, vision and hearing are not covered by Medicare. And prescription drug coverage is only offered through Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. What’s more, you are responsible for the premiums, deductibles and copayments associated with the coverage you choose. However, starting in 2012, Medicare began covering more preven­tive services, including screening and counseling for alcohol abuse, depres­sion and obesity. Supplemental insurance plans are available to help cover out-of-pocket costs.

Myth: A Medicare Advantage plan or Part D coverage will fill gaps in my coverage.

Fact: Medicare can be complicated. Medicare Advantage plans – sometimes known as Part C – offer optional coverage through private insurance companies. Many of these plans cover dental, vision, hearing and prescription drug costs, not covered by Original Medicare. However, the plans may have limited networks to keep costs down.

Part D is optional prescription drug coverage that has myriad variables, such as premiums, copays, coverage gaps and coinsurance. You can choose which prescription drug plan best fits your needs.

Myth: Medicare may not cover me.

Fact: One major advantage of Medicare is that you can’t be rejected for coverage or be charged higher premiums because you’re too sick. However, if you’re a high earner, you’ll pay higher premiums for Medicare Part B and Part D. In addition, the Affordable Care Act now prohibits discrimination based on a pre-existing condition.

Myth: I will be notified when it's time to sign up for Medicare.

Fact: No. Unless you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you must apply for Medicare. You will not receive any official notification on when or how to enroll.

If you’re over 65, still working and covered by employer healthcare, you may want to delay enrollment in part B to avoid paying for coverage you don’t need. Once you stop working, you must enroll within eight months – even if you’re receiving COBRA or retiree health benefits from your employer – to avoid permanent late penalties. For example, if you miss the deadline, you’ll pay 10% more in Part B premiums for every 12 months you delay. If you are under 65 and retired, you should enroll before your 65th birthday to avoid these penalties.

For those without employer coverage, it’s a good idea to sign up when you’re first eligible for Part B. If you’re eligible for Part B when you turn 65, for exam­ple, you’ll want to enroll during your initial enrollment period, the seven-month period that starts three months before your birth month. If you sign up in the first three months, you can avoid delays in coverage. If you sign up during your birth month or later, your start date will be delayed by one to two months.

There’s also an open enrollment pe­riod from October 15 to December 7 each year for Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug cov­erage. From January 1 to February 14 each year, seniors with Medi­care Advantage plans can review their options during the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period. During this time, members can drop their plans, return to Original Medicare and pick up a standalone prescription drug plan. Medicare.gov recommends that you review your current coverage each fall to see if you need to make changes for the following year.

Source: Medicare.gov

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.

6 Things to Remember When Markets Fall

Maintain your composure – and long-term focus – when volatility emerges.

It can be unsettling for investors when their portfolios and the markets start heading into the red. Here are six investing basics to keep in mind during volatile times.

1. Periods of volatility are normal.

All markets move in cycles, and periods of steep contraction are completely normal. While the length of market contractions varies, periods of growth and expansion are usually waiting on the other side. The markets have proven remarkably resilient over the long term, and while returns can be quite volatile year-to-year, they’re generally positive over multi-year periods.

2. Don’t panic.

Letting emotions dictate your investing strategy is a risk you shouldn’t take. Short-term decisions can have long-term consequences on your portfolio. Being patient can pay dividends.

3. Know your portfolio.

Understand your investments and how specific assets represent different goals and outcomes. Keep in mind your risk tolerance and investment timeline, and if either has changed, consider talking to your financial advisor about rebalancing your portfolio. Diversification can potentially help balance risk during a downturn and mitigate extreme swings in value.

4. Stay the course.

Remember your financial plan and long-term goals and stick to them. A disciplined investment approach is a sound strategy for handling market downturns and will likely enable you to participate when the markets rebound.

5. Consider opportunities.

Working with your financial advisor, determine whether periods of volatility are a good time to take advantage of investment opportunities in line with your long-term plan.

6. You’re not alone.

Your financial advisor is available to answer your questions and provide help when you need it. He or she can guide you through difficult markets and be the independent voice that helps you stay focused on your long-term goals.

Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.