Newsletters

January

• HOT TOPIC: Data for Sale: Tips to Help Protect Your Private Information

  Recent action by the Federal Trade Commission highlights the potential for abuse by online data brokers. This article offers some tips that might help consumers keep their private data private.

• Home Energy Rebates Could Save You Money

  The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included two provisions allowing rebates for home energy efficiency retrofit projects and home electrification and appliance projects.

• Would You Be Prepared for an Unplanned Early Retirement?

  Nearly half of current retirees retired earlier than planned. Here are some steps to help prepare for the unexpected.

• A Critical Combo: Life Insurance with Long-Term Care Benefits

  Although long-term care insurance is typically a “use-it-or-lose-it” proposition, these alternatives can help pay for care if it’s needed or provide a death benefit for beneficiaries if it’s not.

• Extreme Weather and Your Home Insurance: How to Navigate the Financial Storm

  Many insurance companies have begun to raise rates, restrict coverage, or stop selling policies in high-risk areas.

• A Mortgage Recast Is an Alternative to Refinancing

  When a mortgage is recast, the borrower puts money toward the principal balance of a home loan, reducing the monthly payment.

December

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

August

• 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?

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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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?

April

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

February

• A New Year, A New Opportunity to Save with a 529 Plan

  This article explains how a 529 plan can help a family save for college, including recent changes that have made these plans more flexible.

• Don’t Forget About Credit When Planning for Retirement

  Credit may not be at the top of the list when it comes to retirement, but good credit can make a big difference for retirees. This article looks at some key factors that lenders consider.

• Do You Have These Key Estate Planning Documents?

  This article provides an overview of four estate planning documents that almost everyone should have: a durable power of attorney, a medical directive, a will, and a letter of instruction.