2025 Guide Audit Summary [June 2025]
fpPathfinder constantly strives to provide informative checklists and flowcharts that help advisors be more diligent in their planning process. To maintain the highest standards of accuracy and clarity, we've recently conducted a comprehensive review of our entire guide library.
Led by Guide Editor Chris Granger, CFP®, our audit team meticulously reviewed each guide to ensure they meet the needs of today’s advisors. Below is the full list of updated guides, as well as a brief description of each change.
Check out the list below to see if your favorite guide has been updated.
List Of Updated Guides
- We removed the 10% increase reference for SIMPLE IRA catch-up contributions for individuals aged 60–63, as the new 10% increase does not apply to the special “age 60–63 catch-up” provision.
- We expanded the language for Pooled Income Funds to include “or custodian” to the question “Who sets this vehicle up?”
- We added “e.g.,” introductory abbreviations to parenthetical content to maintain stylistic consistency with our guide library.
- We added three new bullet points of language to the question, “Will your healthcare coverage or needs change? This new content helps expand the question in a meaningful way to help advisors have a more productive conversation with their clients.
- We made changes to areas that reference planning strategies to consider if valuations are low. Previously, the guide used language such as “while valuations are low” in several areas. However, this language is assumptive, and may not accurately reflect the current market environment. To fix this, we changed the language to say “if valuations are low”.
- We changed (and added) references to important and relevant dates.
- We added additional language that clarified which types of loans are relevant.
- We spelled out the acronyms LTCGs and STCGs to make the guide more client-friendly and for stylistic consistency.
- We changed the title of the guide on the PDF to better reflect what the flowchart is accomplishing.
- Old title: Will I Receive A Step-Up In Basis For This Gifted Property?
- New title: What Is My Basis For This Gifted Property I Received?
- We added “i.e.,” introductory abbreviations to parenthetical content to maintain stylistic consistency with our guide library.
- Standardized guide references by adding “the” after “reference” to align with formatting used across all guides.
- Expanded the question “Are you a business owner?” by adding “(or do you have 1099 income)” to make it more inclusive and applicable to a broader range of client situations.
- Added “(if at least age 70.5)” to clarify the age requirement for making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
- Updated the PDF title to “Can I Deduct My Traditional IRA Contribution?” to more clearly reflect the guide’s purpose.
- Standardized language throughout the flowchart by changing vague references like “IRA contribution” to “Traditional IRA contribution”, emphasizing the focus on contributions that may be deductible.
- Clarified a confusing transition in the flowchart: Previously, a question about Roth IRA contributions led to a follow-up box that referenced whether a contribution might be deductible, without specifying it was now referring to a Traditional IRA contribution. This caused some confusion about whether Roth contributions could be deductible (they are not). We resolved this by explicitly adding “traditional IRA” in the follow-up response to eliminate ambiguity and ensure a more intuitive experience for both advisors and clients.
- We redesigned the flowchart and removed all references to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The GPO and WEP are no longer relevant due to the passing of The Social Security Fairness Act.
- We redesigned the flowchart and removed all references to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The GPO and WEP are no longer relevant due to the passing of The Social Security Fairness Act.
- We removed all references to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The GPO and WEP are no longer relevant due to the passing of The Social Security Fairness Act.
- We expanded the question “Do you need to review the options you may have if you change your mind about when to file?” to include specific strategies (e.g., withdrawal of application, voluntary suspension of benefits, and retroactive filing) for greater clarity.
- We added a new question to the “Common Scams” section to address a growing threat involving phone calls from individuals posing as representatives from local banks or credit unions, claiming to alert victims about stolen funds.
- We added a new question about having a minor listed as a beneficiary on accounts or assets. The update highlights potential complications with direct inheritance by minors and introduces strategies such as trusts or UTMA/UGMA accounts to support estate planning goals.
- Updated the phrasing from “you are entitled” to “you may be entitled” to reflect the fact that eligibility for social security survivor benefits depends on certain qualifying factors.
- We removed all references to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The GPO and WEP are no longer relevant due to the passing of The Social Security Fairness Act.
- We clarified how Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are reported by updating the language to note that Form 1099-R will include the full IRA distribution amount (including QCDs), but that eligible QCD amounts may be excluded from taxable income on Form 1040, line 4b.
- We removed all references to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The GPO and WEP are no longer relevant due to the passing of The Social Security Fairness Act.
- We refined the opening question in the Inherited IRA Distributions flowchart to clarify a key nuance around twice-inherited IRAs. Specifically, we now distinguish cases where a surviving spouse rolled the IRA into their own account—which does not constitute a second inheritance—from cases where the IRA was inherited. This update helps ensure users don't mistakenly classify an IRA as twice-inherited when it isn't, preserving accuracy in determining distribution rules.
- We expanded on a question about whether to increase or decrease one’s auto insurance deductible. The revised question invites the reader to factor in replacement value, risk tolerance, emergency savings, and any loan or lease restrictions.
- We added a question that prompts a review of whether collision and comprehensive coverage remains appropriate based on the current value of the vehicle.
Harvesting Capital Gains Vs. Roth Conversions Decisions
- We revised and simplified the opening question in the flowchart to improve clarity and ease of use. This change eliminates a previous double negative and makes it easier for advisors and clients to more intuitively and confidently answer yes or no.
Our Purpose
All of us at fpPathfinder are here to facilitate more diligent communication between you and your clients about financial planning topics. To support you, our team creates checklists, flowcharts, and summary guides so you can navigate client communications with confidence. The process our team follows speaks to the purposeful craftsmanship with which we approach every guide.
If you are an fpPathfinder member, you already understand how important the updates are. It’s wonderful to have what you need at your fingertips. You’ll never wonder if you’re looking at the most current, relevant information, and you can proceed with confidence.
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