As you may recall from last month, we asked for nominations for the Rick Hill Award — our way of recognizing someone on our team who truly embodies service, integrity, and leadership. This award is named after our co-founder, Rick Hill, whose influence continues to shape our culture.

We’re excited to share that Nick Ashby is this year’s winner! Nick’s dedication to our clients and team, willingness to step up whenever needed, and steady, thoughtful approach to challenges make him a standout. He makes our firm better every day, and we’re lucky to have him.

We also want to give a big shoutout to Nell Schiffer and Katie Ackerman, who earned honorable mentions this year. Nell’s leadership and commitment to client service are second to none, and Katie’s attention to detail and operational excellence keep us all moving forward. They both make a huge impact, and we’re grateful for them.

Please join us in congratulating Nick, Nell, and Katie! Their contributions remind us why we take the long view.

At Hill Investment Group, we’ve found that when a few clients ask similar questions, many more likely share the same curiosity. To better serve you, we’ll periodically feature this “Hey Hill” segment in our newsletter, addressing common client questions and explaining our perspective. To submit questions for future newsletters, email us at service@hillinvestmentgroup.com.

Hey Hill, should my Social Security income change how I invest?

Many investors underestimate how significantly Social Security can impact their financial plans. Rather than viewing it merely as a government benefit, think of Social Security as what it truly is—a guaranteed, inflation-adjusted income stream, similar to a bond within your portfolio.

This means your actual fixed-income allocation may be higher than you’ve realized. As a result, incorporating Social Security into your planning can allow you to take on more investment risk than initially assumed, potentially enhancing your portfolio’s long-term growth.

Clients often ask us:
– Should I reduce my stock exposure as I near retirement?
– How much investment risk is appropriate?
– How should I factor Social Security into my overall investment strategy?

Reframing Social Security as a reliable income source can help you feel more confident maintaining a higher equity allocation, improving your portfolio’s potential for growth over time.

Want to discuss how this concept applies specifically to you?

We’re here to help. Reach out at service@hillinvestmentgroup.com.

Earlier this month, Hill Investment Group team members joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony for an education center for elementary school students at a small, private inner-city school. This new facility, dedicated to advancing children’s education, was made possible by the generosity of one of our client families. Their contribution honors the wife’s lifelong commitment to supporting education and ensures the school’s mission will thrive for years to come.

This inspiring moment reflects what we call “taking the long view.” By investing in the future, this family is creating opportunities for children today and for future generations—many of whom they will never meet.

The event marked the culmination of years of thoughtful planning and goal-setting. Once their financial goals were secure for themselves and their children, this couple asked themselves, “How can we use our resources to benefit others?” For them, this school was the perfect partner to bring their vision to life while aligning with its mission.

If you’re dreaming about how a charitable gift could make a lasting impact on an organization close to your heart, let’s connect. Together, we can explore ways to turn your aspirations into reality.