Make the most of the second half of the year
As we reach the midpoint of 2025, now is a smart to see if you are on track when it comes to optimizing your retirement contributions. Evaluating your 401(k), Traditional IRA, or Roth IRA strategy can help ensure you’re taking full advantage of 2025 tax benefits, maximizing employer matches, and staying on track toward your long-term retirement goals. A few simple adjustments today can make a meaningful difference in your future financial security.
Why Mid-Year Adjustments Matter
Many individuals set a contribution amount at the beginning of the year and forget about it. But changes in income, bonuses, or tax situations often justify a mid-year review. Here are some key figures to consider:
- The 2025 401(k) contribution limit is $23,500, with a $7,500 catch-up for those aged 50+, totaling $31,000.
- For those aged 60 to 63, there’s a special catch-up of $11,250, raising the total to $34,750.
- The IRA limit is $7,000 (or $8,000 if you’re 50+), and contributions can still be made for the 2025 tax year through April 15, 2026.
If you’ve recently received a raise, bonus, or paid off a debt, this could be a great time to allocate extra funds toward your future.
Tax Efficiency and Employer Matching
Don’t forget the value of employer matching contributions. If you’re not contributing enough to receive the full match, you could be leaving money on the table. Increasing your contributions now allows you to maximize this benefit for the rest of the year—and possibly reduce your taxable income in the process if you’re using pre-tax accounts.
How We Can Help
As a valued client of BCA Private Wealth, your retirement strategy is never on autopilot. We’re continually monitoring contribution limits, market shifts, and tax law changes to help ensure your plan stays aligned with your goals. Mid-year is a smart time to revisit your retirement contributions, especially if your income or financial priorities have changed. If you’ve recently received a raise, paid down debt, or want to increase savings before year-end, let’s review your current contribution levels and make any adjustments needed to keep your plan on track.
If you have any questions, please give us a call!
Have a great weekend!
Golf Tip of the Week
The Relentless Puzzle of Golf: Lessons from the 2025 U.S. Open
This year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont delivered a powerful reminder of why golf is both fascinating and maddening. Viktor Hovland and J.J. Spaun embodied two different paths to progress—Hovland grinding through the frustrations of constant tweaks and Spaun achieving redemption after years of setbacks, including a misdiagnosis and losing his PGA Tour card. Their stories show how even the best players are always “figuring it out.”
This article dives into eight key lessons pulled straight from the players’ experiences at Oakmont—tips and insights that any golfer can learn from:
- Don’t sway your backswing: Hovland’s slight upper-body drift off the ball led to blocked shots. Keeping things more centered helped him regain control.
- Use ground force like a skateboarder: Spaun’s background in skateboarding helped him master lateral power in the downswing—a skill many golfers overlook.
- Educated guessing in the rough: Thick U.S. Open rough made even the best short-game players struggle. Knowing how to read the lie is critical.
- Ball position matters in thick grass: When your ball sits deep in the rough, adjusting your stance can be the difference between a save and a disaster.
Whether you’re competing on Sunday or hacking through a weekend round with friends, golf is never about having it all figured out—just working through it one shot at a time.
Read the full article below for all 8 takeaways and insights from Oakmont.
Golf Tip adapted from Golf Digest. Read the full article here: 8 things I learned from pros at the 2025 U.S. Open
Recipe Tip of the Week
Chicken & Peaches Brined in Sweet Tea
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- One 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch coins
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lemon
- 8 bags black tea
- 1 whole chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut into 8 pieces
- 2 small to medium peaches, halved (10 to 12 ounces total)
- One 5-ounce container baby arugula
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for grilling
Directions
- In a large pot, combine 4 cups water, sugar, ginger, ¼ cup salt, and juice from half a lemon. Add the squeezed lemon half. Bring to a simmer, stir to dissolve. Remove from heat, steep tea bags for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags, add 3 cups ice to cool. Submerge chicken in brine, cover, and refrigerate 8–16 hours.
- Remove chicken from brine and pat dry.
For gas grill: Preheat all burners on medium-high for 15 mins, then turn off one middle burner (or two on larger grills), lower others to medium.
For charcoal: Bank lit coals to one side, place drip pan on the other. Target temp: ~350°F. - Oil grates. Place chicken bone-side down over indirect heat. Cover and cook 20–25 mins until ~130–135°F. Flip skin-side down and continue grilling until 165°F, about 15 more mins.
- Oil peach halves and remaining lemon half. Grill flesh-side down 2 mins. Flip peaches and grill 1 more min. Remove from grill, slice peaches.
- Squeeze grilled lemon into a bowl, whisk with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss arugula, mint, and peaches with dressing. Serve alongside grilled chicken.
Recipe Tip adapted from Food Network. Read the full article here: Sweet Tea Brined Chicken with Peaches, Mint and Arugula
Travel Tip of the Week
Top 5 Places to Travel This July
Looking to get away this July? Whether you’re dreaming of cool mountain air or tropical breezes, here are five standout destinations perfect for a summer escape:
- Alaska – July is prime time for exploring Alaska, whether by cruise through the Inside Passage or staying in a wilderness lodge. Enjoy Denali National Park, coastal towns, wildlife, and world-class fishing.
- Oregon – From Portland’s vibrant food and music scene to wine tasting in the Willamette Valley or outdoor adventures in Bend, Oregon offers a refreshing mix of city life and nature.
- Aspen & Snowmass, Colorado – Mild summer temps and panoramic mountain views make this region ideal for hiking, rafting, and enjoying local festivals like the Snowmass Rodeo and Aspen’s July 4th celebrations.
- Oahu, Hawaii – Dive into culture, history, and iconic beaches. From Waikīkī to Pearl Harbor, Oahu blends relaxation and adventure with something for everyone.
- San Diego, California – With perfect summer weather, family-friendly beaches, lively neighborhoods, and major events like the Big Bay Boom fireworks and San Diego Pride, this city shines in July.
Want more vacation inspiration? The full list includes 15 additional destinations from around the world. Read the full article below for all 20 of Travel + Leisure’s top picks!
Travel Tip adapted from Travel & Leisure. Read the full article here: 20 Best Places to Travel in July
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Please review BCA Private Wealth Disclosure Brochure for a complete explanation of fees. Investing involves risks. Investments are not guaranteed and may lose value.
This material is prepared by BCA Private Wealth for informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for personalized investment advice or as a recommendation or solicitation or any particular security, strategy, or investment product.
No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve future profits or losses similar to those shown. You should not assume that investment decisions we make in the future will be profitable or equal the investment performance of the past. Past performance does not indicate future results.
