Other Financial Topics
Newsletters
- A Financial Wellness Plan Can Help Pave the Road to Retirement
This article outlines four elements of financial well-being and offers suggestions to strengthen financial wellness.
- All-in-One Funds: Targeting Time or Risk?
This article discusses target-date funds and lifestyle funds, with the more common of the two based on time horizon rather than risk.
- Five Tips to Follow When Applying for a Mortgage
Historically low interest rates have driven record homebuying. This article provides some ideas to consider when applying for a mortgage.
- Four Things Investors Should Know About Stock Splits
If you’ve wondered what stock splits are and what effect they might have on your investment portfolio, this article covers the basics.
- HOT TOPIC: High-Frequency Indicators: Where to Look for Signs of Recovery
This article discusses various high-frequency indicators economists use to monitor the pandemic’s impact and the economic recovery’s progress.
- Portfolios Get Personal: Growing Interest in Socially Responsible Investing
This article discusses socially responsible investments that may enable the pursuit of financial returns and make a positive global impact.
- Real Estate for Income and Diversification
Are you familiar with REITs and why they can help diversify a portfolio? Read this article to learn more.
- Sequence Risk: Preparing to Retire in a Down Market
This article offers a strategy that may help address sequence risk — the danger of poor investment performance at the outset of retirement.
- Social Security Spousal Benefits
This article offers an overview of spousal benefits, which could make a big difference in funding retirement for a married couple.
- When You Can’t Speak for Yourself
Discover how a living will and durable powers of attorney for health care and finances can help ensure your wishes are carried out.
- Working While Receiving Social Security Benefits
Do you understand the Social Security retirement earnings test and how it may affect your current and future Social Security benefits?
- Your Business: Minimum-Wage Laws in the Spotlight
As more states increase the minimum wage, small businesses may start feeling the economic impact. Read this article for some coping tips.
- Your Business: Reasons to Keep Personal and Business Finances Separate
Find out why it’s important to draw a line between business and personal finances, especially for credit, tax, and personal asset purposes.
Research Articles
- Am I Prepared for Long-Term Care Expenses?
The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin.
- Do I Need Disability Income Insurance?
Knowing the basics of a disability income insurance policy is a good first step toward protecting your family.
- History of the Federal Estate Tax
Careful estate planning is still one of the most important ways to manage and protect your assets for your heirs.
- How Can a Living Trust Help Me Control My Estate?
A living trust can help control the distribution of your estate upon death.
- How Can I Benefit from a Charitable Lead Trust?
Charitable lead trusts are designed for people who would like to benefit a charity now rather than later.
- How Can I Benefit from a Charitable Remainder Trust?
A designated income beneficiary could receive payment of a specified amount from a charitable remainder trust.
- How Can I Benefit from a Wealth Replacement Trust?
A wealth replacement trust could be used to gift appreciated assets to a charity as well as provide for heirs.
- How Can My Gift Benefit Me and the Charity?
To retain the tax advantages associated with charitable giving, your gift must be made to a qualified organization.
- How Likely Am I to Need Long-Term Care?
If you were to suffer an illness or disability that required long-term nursing care, would you be covered?
- How Long Will It Take to Double My Money?
Before making investment decisions, it is helpful to determine the real rate of return on the investment.
- How Will I Pay Estate Taxes?
If you believe your estate will be subject to estate taxes, consider how your heirs will pay the bill.
- Managing Retirement Plans
- Market Indicators
- Money Market Funds
- Mutual Fund Profits
- Mutual Funds vs. Stocks
- Savings Alternatives
- Types of Mutual Funds
- United States Tax History
United States tax law is a constantly changing landscape. The latest major piece of tax legislation is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
- Variable Annuities
- What Are Some Tips for Managing My Money?
A sound cash management program uses a disciplined approach: accounting, analysis, allocation, and adjustment.
- What Are the Pitfalls of Probate?
The probate process can be lengthy and complex. There are strategies you can use to help avoid the probate process.
- What Is Tax Deferral?
There can be a substantial benefit to deferring taxes as long as possible.
- What Is the Best Form of Property Ownership for Me?
Sole ownership, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, and community property have special benefits for property owners.
- What Key Estate Planning Tools Should I Know About?
Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property distributed, but they also go beyond that.
- What Savings Alternatives Are Available?
There are a number of savings alternatives that could help you earn a reasonable rate of return.