This week, Jews around the world are celebrating Chanukah, the festival of lights.
On Chanukah, we light special candles for eight nights, celebrating an ancient miracle.
Of course, if you’ve ever seen the traditional eight-branched menorah Jews light on Chanukah (technically called a Hanukia), you might be thinking, “Wait. There are actually NINE candles, not eight.”
The center candle is called the Shamas, and it’s the “helper” candle. The Shamas is the candle used to light the other candles on the menorah.
I’ve always loved the idea of being a helper candle and bringing light to others.
I have 14-year-old twins, and since they were in preschool, we’ve had a tradition each December called “Be the Shamas.” The idea is to act like the helper candle, bringing light to others. So we each perform eight good deeds or helpful acts while we celebrate the holiday.
I want to be the Shamas for you, too. While I’d love to help you carry your groceries or surprise you with a cup of your favorite coffee, I’m limited to words I can share in this post.
So here are eight ideas to help you bring some light to your clients in 2026:
- Midterm Elections | Once again, all eyes are on Washington. The leadership of both the House and Senate will be determined in November during the midterm elections. While the election outcome won’t likely have an immediate effect on tax and retirement policy, it will still be an important year to focus on addressing legislative risk for your clients. A great place to start? Download this free white paper on how to protect your client’s retirement assets from legislative changes.
- A Better Approach for Legacy Funds in Your Client’s IRA | Let’s face it: Many of our clients have two plans for their IRA funds: use those funds for income, and then leave whatever’s left to their heirs. But we know IRAs are a tax-heavy way to leave a legacy. 2026 can be the year you help your clients with a better (tax-free) approach.
- Add Value to Your Client’s Reading List | Looking for a powerful way to help your clients leverage today’s lower tax-rate environment to plan for what’s ahead? My partner Neil and I have written a brand new book, The Road Less Taxed, which will be published in January. It’s a simple, entertaining way to help your clients understand how to protect themselves from risks from Washington. Watch this space for more details in the new year!
- Training | I love to learn. This year, I was honored to speak at both NAIFA and NAFA’s signature conferences. It gave me the opportunity to listen in on all the incredible speakers these organizations arranged, and I learned so much about what’s ahead for the industry – from a legal, legislative, and sales perspective. If you haven’t attended in the past, you’re missing out. So make plans to do so in 2026.
- IRMAA | What’s one of the biggest risks to your clients’ retirement – one that many of them don’t even know exists? IRMAA, the Medicare surcharge some savers pay. In 2026, we’ll need to continue educating savers on how IRMAA could impact their retirement income – and what they can do about it. I put together this free IRMAA primer if you need some expert insights.
- Bonus Annuities in Roth Conversions | This year, we heard from scores of advisors who are leveraging bonus annuities in their Roth conversion strategies. So we updated our signature Roth optimization software to accommodate it. One of my favorite parts of creating powerful client reports for our industry is hearing from advisors like you on how you’re finding success with these strategies. So keep sharing in the year ahead!
- OBBBA & Social Security | Next April will be the first time our clients file taxes under the new tax rules passed in OBBBA. One of the most confusing provisions in the bill still seems to be the new tax deduction for seniors age 65-plus (intended to offset the taxes they pay on Social Security benefits). We’ll need to keep educating clients on this new deduction – here’s a free white paper you can download to help.
- Community | One of the things I’m most grateful for this year is the incredible advisor community of Stonewood members. In 2025, we hosted our first Innovate Master Class, where small groups of Stonewood Members gathered to share ideas and learn in a roundtable setting. We’re rolling out new ways to foster advisor connection and growth in 2026 – so if you haven’t joined our community yet, now’s the perfect time to do so.
Here’s hoping your holidays are happy and your 2026 starts strong.
I hope you’ll join me in “being the Shamas” this year and sharing light with your clients, colleagues, and partners – in 2026 and beyond!
About the Author
Becky helps your clients outsmart Washington and take control of their retirement. Making the complex simple and meaningful? It’s all in a day's work.
