Newsletters

December

• HOT TOPIC: Dreaming of Retirement? Consider Maxing Out Your 401(k) in 2025

  This article covers the contribution and catch-up limits for workplace retirement plans, including the less-common opportunity to make larger after-tax contributions.

• Charitable Gifts of Life Insurance

  Life insurance offers a way to make a substantial gift to charity while also benefiting from favorable tax rules.

• Year-End 2024 Tax Tips

  Here are some things to consider when weighing potential tax moves before the end of the year.

• Eight Ideas for Smarter Holiday Shopping

  Whether shopping online or hitting the mall this holiday season, these tips might help save time and money.

• An Umbrella Policy Offers Extra Liability Coverage

  An umbrella personal liability insurance policy can provide additional coverage in the event of a high-dollar liability claim or legal judgment.

• Two Tax-Friendly Retirement Plans for the Self-Employed

  Setting up a retirement plan provides a way to help shelter more income from taxes and save money for the future.

November

• HOT TOPIC: High Foreign Investment in the U.S. – Will It Last?

  The United States received almost one-third of all global foreign investment from 2021 to 2023. This article looks at how different types of foreign investment may impact the U.S. economy.

• Treasury Yields Off 17-Year Highs

  While yields are off highs not seen since before the Great Recession, investors might consider some of the Treasury security types and maturities outlined in this article.

• If You Don’t Have a Will Yet, Why Not?

  Although 64% of Americans think having a will is important, only 32% have one. This article looks at reasons people don’t have a will and why they need one regardless of the reason.

• FAFSA for 2025-2026 School Year Opens December 1

  Following a disastrous rollout last year, this article provides tips for submitting the redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025–2026 school year.

• Do You Know Your Medicare Coverage Options?

  There are two ways to obtain Medicare coverage: Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Here’s how they work.

• Higher Rates Pressure Borrowers and Some Banks: Is Your Money Safe?

  In 2023, large bank failures brought renewed attention to the risks banks take to earn money, the role of the FDIC, and the insurance that covers customer deposits.

October

• HOT TOPIC: The Fed Finally Cut Interest Rates

  The Fed’s first rate cut of one-half percentage point in four years marks a critical juncture for the economy, with significant implications for consumers, businesses, and investors.

• Can You Put the Brakes on Rising Auto Insurance Premiums?

  Auto insurance premiums increased more than 18% between July 2023 and July 2024. This article outlines some steps that may help reduce premiums.

• Do You Have Enough Life Insurance?

  Life insurance needs change over time. This article presents five guidelines to help determine an appropriate amount of life insurance coverage.

• Making the Most of Your Credit Card

  Credit cards are being used more than ever. This article offers suggestions for choosing and using a credit card.

• A Pension Strategy That May Boost Your Income

  A strategy called pension maximization may enable a married pensioner to elect the higher payments of a single-life annuity while also providing for the spouse’s financial future.

• What’s Your Real Return?

  While investors typically look at the nominal return on their investments, it’s important to understand the real return in order to target financial goals.

September

• HOT TOPIC: Should You Worry About Market Volatility?

  On August 5, 2024, the S&P 500 dropped 3% from its previous close but bounced back quickly. This article explains why investors would be wise to tune out the noise of market volatility.

• It’s Complicated: Inheriting IRAs and Retirement Plans

  The SECURE Act of 2019 dramatically changed the rules governing how IRA and retirement plan assets are distributed to beneficiaries.

• Retroactive Social Security Benefits: A Chance to Turn Back Time

  Beneficiaries who postpone claiming Social Security past full retirement age have the option of receiving a lump-sum payment for up to six months of benefits when they finally apply.

• Eight Great Investing Quotes

  This article offers eight quotes from successful investors, economists, and other insightful thinkers that may help provide perspective and focus for an investing strategy.

• Thinking of Selling Your Home? Don’t Be Surprised by Capital Gains Taxes

  This article explains the basics of capital gains taxes when selling a home.

• Just Your Average Millionaire

  The average net worth of U.S. families surpassed $1 million for the first time in 2022, but wealth levels vary greatly by age, housing status, education, and income.

August

• HOT TOPIC: Real Estate Commission Changes Around the Corner

  The National Association of Realtors is implementing new policies related to how real estate brokers are compensated. Here are some implications for buyers, sellers, and their agents.

• Watch for These Hazards on the Road to Retirement

  The road to retirement is typically not a smooth ride. This article looks at five potential risks that can slow progress along the way.

• Mixing It Up: Asset Allocation and Diversification

  This article explains how asset allocation and diversification can work together to help mitigate portfolio risk.

• After the Loss of a Loved One, Watch Out for Scams

  Scammers often prey on those who are most vulnerable. This article outlines common scams that target people who have lost a loved one.

• Consumer Sentiment: Do Americans See Brighter Days Ahead?

  Why do policymakers pay attention to how consumers are feeling, and what’s behind Americans’ lack of confidence?

• Equity REITs: Is There Room for Real Estate in Your Portfolio?

  This article discusses some unique characteristics of REITs, including how they can offer a consistent income stream and why changing interest rates can affect REIT performance.

July

• HOT TOPIC: The Economic Impact of an Aging World

  This article looks at some of the demographic trends and economic challenges related to global aging.

• Should You Buy or Lease Your Next Vehicle?

  Skyrocketing new vehicle costs and high interest rates could make leasing a cost-saving option. This article looks at the advantages and disadvantages of owning vs. leasing.

• Birthday Benefits Quiz

  This quiz allows readers to test their knowledge of the ages related to key federal benefits and tax responsibilities.

• The IRS Wants More Info About Your Gig Income

  If you earn money through a payment app or online marketplace, you may be affected by a new tax reporting requirement.

• Can Home Improvements Lower Your Tax Bill? It Depends

  Most home improvements are not tax deductible, but certain types of projects might help reduce your tax burden in other ways.

• Saving for College: 529 Plan vs. Roth IRA

  529 plans and Roth IRAs can both be used to save for college. This article compares the features of these two saving options.

June

• HOT TOPIC: Real Estate Roundup: Feeling the Impact of Higher Rates

  This article discusses why the values of U.S. commercial property and homes have performed differently and how lingering weakness in the real estate sector could affect the economy.

• Investor, Know Thyself: How Your Biases Can Affect Investment Decisions

  While traditional economic models assume that people make rational decisions, most humans don’t think like robots. This article summarizes some common biases that can influence financial decisions.

• Do You Need to Adjust Your Tax Withholding?

  After filing last year’s tax return, it may be a good time to adjust income tax withholding. This article explains how to estimate and adjust withholding.

• Insurance Gaps May Pose Risks for High-Net-Worth Households

  It’s important for affluent families to reassess their liability coverage periodically, to make sure it’s sufficient based on their finances, lifestyles, and the related risks.

• The United States Is Older Than Ever Before

  The median age of the U.S. population rose to a record high in 2022, a demographic trend that has implications for the economy and government programs like Social Security and Medicare.

• Are You Spending Money to Keep Stuff You Don’t Need?

  One in 10 Americans leases a storage unit. But for many, it may be worthwhile to let go of unneeded belongings instead.

May

• HOT TOPIC: What Stubborn Inflation Could Mean for the U.S. Economy

  This article looks at some of the reasons behind the inflation numbers, the likely effect on Fed decisions, and the potential economic impact.

• Market Measures: Beyond the Dow

  In addition to the better-known Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 stock indexes, this article provides an overview of some stock indexes that are commonly used as benchmarks.

• New SAVE Repayment Plan Offers Key Benefits

  In July 2023, the Department of Education launched a new income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans called the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan.

• ESG Investing in the Spotlight

  This article explains environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing and its potential effect on portfolio performance.

• Housing Market Trends: Are They Helping or Hurting the Economy?

  U.S. home values held steady in 2023, even as mortgage rates rose to the highest levels in a generation. What could the current state of the housing market mean for the broader U.S. economy?

• Where Will You Live as You Grow Older?

  Many people would rather not think about the consequences of aging in general, much less that they might eventually need to rethink their living situation.

April

• HOT TOPIC: International Investing: The Diverging Fortunes of China and Japan

  Investing Internationally can help increase portfolio diversification and provide access to opportunities that may differ from those in the United States.

• Beware of These Life Insurance Beneficiary Mistakes

  Naming a life insurance policy’s beneficiaries should be a relatively simple task, but there are some situations that can lead to unintended and adverse consequences.

• Individual Bonds vs. Bond Funds: What’s the Difference?

  Individual bonds and bond funds can both provide an income stream, but there are important differences. This article provides an overview of these two types of investments.

• What’s Required of the Executor of an Estate?

  Being named as the executor of an estate is generally an honor but settling an estate can be a difficult and time-consuming job. This article provides an overview of typical executor responsibilities.

• How a Family Limited Partnership Can Power an Estate Plan

  A family limited partnership is a legal agreement that enables business owners and their heirs to address succession, estate, and tax planning needs, all at once.

• Fixed Annuities: Retirement Income for Now or Later

  Purchasing a fixed annuity shifts the risk for future investment returns to the insurance company and could help create a pension-like income stream for retirement.

March

• HOT TOPIC: Can Productivity Keep Driving the U.S. Economy?

  This article looks at the importance of productivity to the U.S. economy, possible contributing factors to the recent surge, and the prospects for an extended period of strong productivity growth.

• Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2024

  This article presents the IRS’ cost-of-living adjustments for 2024 that affect contribution limits for retirement plans and various tax deduction, exclusion, exemption, and threshold amounts.

• How Savers and Spenders Can Meet in the Middle

  Couples who have opposite philosophies regarding saving and spending often have trouble finding common ground. This article offers some tips to learn to work with financial differences.

• The Federal Reserve’s Key Meeting Dates in 2024

  This article outlines the Federal Reserve’s three main objectives and provides the meeting schedule of the Federal Open Market Committee.

• Roth 401(k) News: Is It Time to Rethink How You Save for Retirement?

  High-income participants will not be allowed to make pre-tax catch-up contributions to a traditional 401(k) or similar plan starting in 2026, but they will be able to contribute to a workplace Roth.

• Can Your Personality Influence Your Portfolio? New Research Points to Yes

  The findings of two recent academic studies may offer insight into how investors can make more fruitful financial decisions.

January

• HOT TOPIC: SECURE 2.0 Provides New Retirement Savings Options in 2024

  The SECURE 2.0 Act made wide-ranging changes to U.S. tax laws related to retirement savings. This article provides an overview of some important provisions that take effect in 2024.

• Understanding Life Insurance

  Life insurance can help replace much-needed income after the death of a provider. With the wide variety of policies available, it’s important to understand the basic types of coverage.

• Will You Work Beyond Traditional Retirement Age?

  Does your income strategy beyond traditional retirement age include receiving a paycheck? This article looks at the advantages and disadvantages of working later in life.

• Setting a Retirement Savings Goal

  Only 51% of workers or their spouses have tried to estimate the savings they would need to live comfortably in retirement. This article offers a simple worksheet to help calculate a savings target.

• SECURE 2.0 Makes It Easier to Give and Receive

  The SECURE 2.0 Act modified the rules for qualified charitable distributions to allow funding a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust from an IRA.

• How to Kill Your Zombie Subscriptions

  With inflation cutting into consumers’ purchasing power, getting rid of a few unnecessary recurring charges could be a painless way to help balance the household budget.