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Friday, September 22, 2023

Now is an excellent time to start evaluating your current financial situation, determining your future goals and expectations, and working toward pursuing them. If you need help pulling together a plan for your finances, a financial...

Thursday, September 14, 2023

A recent survey by Caring.com found that a whopping two in three American adults do not have an estate plan1—an alarming statistic, considering that an estate plan can protect your assets and ensure that they go to the right...

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Matching your tolerance for risk with your investment objectives Everyone wants a comfortable retirement, but the road you take there will depend on your specific situation. When you invest, you assume a certain level of risk (but like...

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Financial education is constantly evolving. As investments, financial priorities, and the economy change, so do financial strategies and plans. To stay on top of your retirement and ensure that you are on your way toward your financial...

Monday, July 31, 2023

Understanding the difference between taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-exempt accounts can improve portfolio diversification and make a difference in how much you earn over time. But investors may not fully understand how a strategy...

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Friday, July 21, 2023

Social isolation makes people more susceptible to illness and death.1 While retirement is a time for relaxation and enjoyment from a lifetime of work, it may lead to a lack of purpose if you have depended on work for...

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Our 2023 investing outlook started with a theme of returning to normalcy. Considering 2022’s market volatility and the aftereffects of the pandemic, the idea of finding balance was certainly a welcomed change. It’s a theme...

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Vacation is something that we all look forward to, but it’s important not to forget about your home—and its safety—while you’re away. With some pre-planning, it’s easy to make sure your house is safe and...

Friday, May 26, 2023

Having enough retirement income is a top concern for many Americans nearing or in retirement. Even though they may have saved consistently throughout the working years, they may be concerned that their retirement plans will succeed. A...

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

After spending so much of your life saving for retirement, it may be challenging to transition from depositing funds to withdrawing them. You may wonder whether there is any way to maintain your lifestyle and preserve your wealth to...

Friday, May 5, 2023

The thought of retiring may be intimidating for anyone—but if you own your own business, handing your "baby" to new owners might be enough to stop you in your tracks. What might you do to set your successor up for success? What...

Thursday, April 20, 2023

When people think of “myths,” they often think of such stories as Pandora’s Box (the woman who took the lid off of a jar releasing all of the world’s ills upon the world, were taxes one of them?), or the Tale of...

Monday, March 27, 2023

As you age, the question of when to collect Social Security (SS) retirement benefits will likely come to mind. There is no one size fits all age; your unique circumstances and goals will dictate the appropriate time for you to take...

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Could you be losing money because of simple monetary mistakes? Avoid these money-wasting habits in 2023 to have more cash when you need it—or save it for a rainy day. Failing to budgetConventional wisdom says to follow the...

Friday, February 24, 2023

One of the more important—and hopefully enjoyable—events you will face in life is retirement. After spending many years building your career, you have likely accumulated a comfortable nest egg. If you have reached a point...

Friday, February 17, 2023

A surprising two out of every three American adults do not have any kind of written estate plan.1 For adults who also serve as family caregivers, not having a plan in place can pose major risks for them and their entire...

Friday, January 27, 2023

When you’re busy juggling career, family, social life, and multiple other obligations, you may end up feeling as if you don’t have enough time to do it all. Often, the solution lies in improving how you manage your time. To...

Friday, January 13, 2023

Regardless of whether you prepare your taxes yourself or use a professional's services, it's a good idea to gather the information and documentation you need well in advance of your actual tax filing date. Below, we've listed some key...

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Teaching children about financial wellness should start at an early age. Learning how making money, saving, and spending is related and the first step in teaching your child how to understand the value of money. Children learn from...

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Through all the challenges, newfound opportunities, and every high and low we’ve experienced during the last couple of years, it’s no surprise why we might be striving for more balance. Whether it’s about the markets...

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

The end of the year is necessary to reflect on your financial picture, review the last 12 months, and plan for the future. With all that is involved, it can seem overwhelming. Consider breaking up the responsibilities over twelve days,...

Friday, November 11, 2022

As we approach the end of the year, you may want to review areas that may impact your wealth and estate planning next year. In this year-end planning guide, we examine four critical areas to consider that may affect your finances:...

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Members of the military have a lot of special financial challenges that most people don't encounter. However, they have access to many benefits, tax breaks and legal protections that can make a huge difference in their families'...

Friday, October 7, 2022

The cost of long-term care can vary widely based on location (both city and state) and level of care needed. However, one thing is for certain: with 7 in every 10 people requiring long-term care at some point, preparing for this...

Monday, October 3, 2022

On August 24, 2022, just a few days before federal student loan repayment was set to resume, President Biden announced a plan for additional student loan debt relief.Federal student loan repayment was originally halted in March 2020 at...

Monday, September 12, 2022

For those approaching the age of 65, Medicare can be confusing, and you might also be wondering how it compares to your current health care coverage. This guide addresses your questions about Medicare and how you might deal with...

Saturday, September 3, 2022

A 401(k) retirement savings plan is one of the most desirable fringe benefits a small business can offer. For a business owner, it can help strengthen a company’s position when competing for top talent. It can also be structured...

Thursday, August 18, 2022

You will need to think about the disposition of your assets at your death and any tax implications.Statistically speaking, women live longer than men. So if you are married, you'll also probably have the last word about the final...

Monday, August 15, 2022

A bear market is a prolonged period of price declines in securities, an index such as the S&P 500, or the overall stock market of usually 20% or more from a recent high. Bear markets can also signal economic downturns such as a...

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Markets are always forward looking, so it’s important to remain focused on what lies ahead. There will most certainly be challenges, but there are also some tailwinds from a strong job market, still resilient businesses, and the...

Monday, July 4, 2022

The need for regular saving and investing spans many life stages. Through the years, your goals will change and your strategies will shift, but don’t be alarmed. You’re just progressing through the normal stages of life,...

Thursday, June 23, 2022

The cost and availability of life insurance depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased.A complete statement of coverage, including exclusions, exceptions, and limitations, is found only in the...

Friday, June 10, 2022

Many of you already have estate documents, probably executed many years ago. You need an estate attorney to look over your documents every 10 years or so. Here are a dozen points to review. Do you have a will and powers of attorney for...

Thursday, May 12, 2022

When people are leaving their employer, one of the decisions they need to make is what to do with their 401(k). A retirement plan participant typically has four options (and may engage in a combination of these options), each choice...

Friday, May 6, 2022

Although small business owners wear many hats, too often, the one labeled “Retirement Planner” is not among them. Hats may add panache but, basically, they’re for protection. Today, preserving your financial future,...

Monday, April 18, 2022

Ask your five-year old where money comes from, and the answer you'll probably get is "From a machine!" Even though children don't always understand where money really comes from, they realize at a young age that they can use it to buy...

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

April brings more than possible rain showers. It also marks Financial Literacy Month in the U.S. Whether you’re interested in a quick refresher or seeking to learn something new, it may be worth the effort to brush up on some...

Thursday, March 17, 2022

When you invest in the stock market, you want to see growth, but unfortunately, in most cases, investments do not grow all the time. Inevitably, the market goes up and down, and to safeguard your potential for long-term growth, you...

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

RMD Tables are changing to keep up with The SECURE Act of 2019. Under The SECURE Act, if you turned age 70 1/2 in 2019, you would've been required to take your first RMD by April 1, 2020. If you turned age 70 1/2 in 2020 or later, you...

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Know the rules so you don’t get hit with an excess contribution penalty. So you’re getting married in 2022? Congratulations. And when you add up all your income (yours and your spouse’s), you’ll earn more than...

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

In the last quarter of 2021, inflation increased at its highest rate since 1990.1 From gas prices to grocery costs to utility bills; many consumers are experiencing a serious case of sticker shock. Here are some steps you may take to...

Friday, January 7, 2022

Regardless of whether you prepare your taxes yourself or use a professional's services, it's a good idea to gather the information and documentation you need well in advance of your actual tax filing date. Below, we've listed some key...

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

With inflation on the rise, the IRS increased the 2022 contribution limits for some retirement accounts. Although a 2021 Congressional report found that only about 8.5% of defined benefit plan participants and 4.7% of individual...

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Our resurgent economy grew at over a 6% pace in the first half of the year and is on track for over 5% growth for the year when 2021 draws to a close. The current economic recovery, which started in May 2020, has benefited from...

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

The past two years presented many small-business owners with unprecedented challenges. This year’s tax planning preparations include necessary measures for small-business owners to satisfy existing, new and modified tax laws that...

Friday, November 5, 2021

Veterans' retirement benefits are among some of the most generous out there, in large part due to the risks and sacrifices that come from military service. But navigating this array of benefits may seem complicated. What should...

Monday, November 1, 2021

It may be easy to forget we're nearing the end of the year. Even during the busy end of year rush, it's a good time to reevaluate your 2021 finances and turn an eye toward 2022. What can you do now to potentially improve and streamline...

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

When interest rates decline, many homeowners refinance their home mortgages. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all proposition. We examine the pros and cons of refinancing. There is perhaps nothing more appealing for a homeowner than...

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

According to recent research from the University of Washington, it might be possible for humans to experience a lifespan of 125 to 130 years by the end of the 21st century.1 While this is great news for those who hope to see five or...

Friday, September 10, 2021

We’ve all heard the outrageous stories of tumbledown houses selling for record-high prices, dozens of multiple offers within hours of a new listing hitting the MLS, and bonuses and incentives to sweeten the pot from...

Friday, August 27, 2021

Quantitative easing and short-term rates near zero could be ending soon. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell seems to have capitulated on plans to taper the Fed’s stimulus program as of mid-July, causing the bond market to rally...