Newsletters

January

• HOT TOPIC: Is the Yield Curve Signaling a Recession?

  An inversion of two-year and 10-year Treasury notes has preceded each recession for 50 years. This article looks at the current yield curve and what it might mean for the economy.

• Stretch IRA Alternatives

  The 2019 SECURE Act effectively eliminated the stretch IRA. Explore three alternatives to help preserve wealth and pass it to beneficiaries.

• A 529 Plan Can Help Jump Start Your College Fund

  Do you know how a 529 savings plan can be instrumental in building a college fund? Read this article to find out.

• Tips for Safe Online Shopping

  This article offers ideas that could help online shoppers protect themselves from cyber criminals and scams.

• Taking Control of Your Retirement Savings

  Leaving a job? Discover four options that are often available for managing funds in an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

• Naming a Trusted Contact

  It may be wise to designate a trusted contact when opening or updating an account at a brokerage or other financial firm. Learn why.

December

• HOT TOPIC: ‘Tis the Season for Tax-Friendly Giving Strategies

  Donating to charity can make a difference at any time of the year. But taking a strategic approach, possibly as part of your year-end tax planning, could offer tax benefits and potentially increase your ability to give. This article provides an overview of various tax-advantaged giving strategies.

• Sectors: Overweight, Underweight, or Just Right?

  Did you know varying performance can change the balance of sectors in a portfolio? Learn how sector funds can be used to shift sector weighting.

• Is It Time to Buy an Electric Vehicle?

  The electric-vehicle market is evolving quickly. This article offers some ideas to consider before purchasing an electric vehicle.

• IRA Distributions Can Benefit Your Favorite Cause … and Your Tax Bill

  IRA owners who are 70½ or older can give to charity without itemizing and still get a tax break. Find out how.

• Talk About These Money Matters Before the Wedding

  Get an overview of financial topics couples should discuss to help keep surprises and disagreements from disrupting newlywed bliss.

• Fraudsters and Scammers Pocket Nearly $6 Billion in 2021

  This article discusses the most common and costly types of scams, and how would-be victims can spot them.

November

• HOT TOPIC: What Does a Strong Dollar Mean for the U.S. Economy?

  This article looks at why the dollar is surging and how the strong dollar may affect U.S. consumers, businesses, and the broader economy.

• Famous People Who Died Without Proper Planning

  Think celebrities are way ahead of the curve when it comes to planning their estates? Many have died with no or inadequate estate plans.

• New Life for Your Old Insurance Policy

  Did you know that there are alternatives to abandoning or surrendering current life insurance coverage? Learn more in this article.

• Virtual Health Care Is Here to Stay

  Telehealth skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be popular. This article looks at the potential benefits of virtual health care.

• How Funding an HSA Could Help Strengthen Your Retirement Strategy

  Discover how a well-managed health savings account can help you pay current and future medical bills as well as prepare for retirement.

October

• HOT TOPIC: CHIPS and Science Act Aims to Preserve U.S. Technology Edge

  This article discusses the CHIPS and Science Act’s key provisions, as the U.S. strives to reduce its reliance on semiconductors produced overseas.

• Passive, Active, or Both?

  Index funds or traditional actively managed funds: Which approach, or both, is most effective?

• How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?

  Three approaches to help determine an appropriate amount of life insurance coverage that can help meet changing financial needs.

• Building Financial Resilience

  Steps to be better positioned for turbulent events such as inflation, roller-coaster markets, and global events — and hopefully emerge even stronger.

• Donor-Advised Funds Combine Charitable Impact with Tax Benefits

  This article discusses how a donor-advised fund might be used to time charitable contributions for tax purposes or to gift appreciated assets.

• Small Businesses Are Short-Staffed and Overwhelmed

  The pandemic kicked off a severe labor shortage. What can small-business owners do if they are struggling to meet staffing needs?

September

• HOT TOPIC: Unpacking the Inflation Reduction Act: What’s in It?

  This article provides an overview of provisions that could affect consumers and businesses, including clean energy tax credits, Medicare changes, and new corporate taxes.

• Dividends for Income and Total Returns

  Dividend investing can be a dependable source of income for retirees and others. This article provides an overview.

• What the Red-Hot Job Market Means for Workers

  A discussion of the dynamics of the current job market — one that is quite possibly the most worker-friendly in many years.

• Preparing for a Natural Disaster

  Here are some tips to help homeowners protect their properties and evacuate safely in the event of a natural disaster.

• How Life Insurance Could Help Mitigate Taxes in Retirement

  A permanent life policy can be used to help supplement retirement income, pay for long-term care services, or leave a tax-free legacy.

• Diversifying Your Portfolio with International Flair

  Do you know the benefits and risks of investing in foreign markets using international mutual funds or ETFs? Find out in this article.

July

• A Wealth of Information: How to Read a Mutual Fund Prospectus

  Did you know that a mutual fund prospectus provides key details about the fund? This article offers an overview of information in a prospectus.

• Should You Consider Tapping the Equity in Your Home?

  Using home equity to fund other financial objectives has potential benefits and risks. This article looks at various ways to tap home equity.

• Adjusting Your Tax Withholding

  Consider adjustments to income tax withholding after viewing the prior year’s tax results. See which situations might require special attention.

• WEP and GPO Can Reduce Social Security Benefits

  Explore how the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset can affect Social Security benefits for people who earned a pension in noncovered employment.

• How Long Should You Keep Financial Records?

  The end of tax season might be a good time to organize financial records. Discover guidelines to help you decide what to keep and what to discard.

June

• HOT TOPIC: Rising Rates Join Long List of Housing Dilemmas

  This article explores how soaring housing costs, rising rates, and declining affordability could impact borrowers and the housing market.

• Avoiding Probate

  Probate can result in added expenses and delays when settling an estate. Read about four ways to avoid the probate process.

• What’s Your Retirement Dream Elevator Pitch?

  How do you see your retirement? This article provides some guidelines to help you develop a well-defined retirement vision.

• Where to Look for Lost and Forgotten Money

  States hold unclaimed property for about one in 10 Americans. Here are some online resources that may help you find out if you’re one of them.

May

• Working While Receiving Social Security Benefits

  Do you understand how working in retirement can affect your Social Security benefits? Read this article to find out.

• Baseball Lessons That Might Help Change Up Your Finances

  Learn some lessons from America’s favorite pastime that may inspire you to take a fresh look at your finances.

• Food Inflation: What’s Behind It and How to Cope

  U.S. food prices were hit hard in 2021. This article includes seven tips to help consumers control their family’s grocery bills.

April

• ETFs Are Gaining on Mutual Funds: Here’s Why

  Are you familiar with the differences between mutual funds and exchange-traded funds? This article compares and contrasts the two.

• Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2022

  Explore some key retirement plan contribution limits and various tax deduction, exclusion, exemption, and threshold amounts for 2022.

• Splurge or Save? Making the Most of Your Income-Tax Refund

  Did you receive an income-tax refund this year? This article looks at some ways to use it.

• What’s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?

  Medicare and Medicaid may seem similar, but what each program pays for and for whom can be very different.

March

• When Two Goals Collide: Balancing College and Retirement Preparations

  This article discusses college financial aid and some ideas that might help fund college while maintaining a solid retirement savings strategy.

• Mutual Funds: Do You Know What’s in Your Portfolio?

  It’s important for investors to understand the funds in their portfolios. This article provides an overview of different types of funds.

• If You Don’t Have a Will, You Probably Should

  Do you have a will? If not, this article offers three key reasons why you should.

• Going Green: A Fast-Growing Corner of the Global Bond Market

  This article looks at the types of projects funded by green bonds, some current trends, and the potential benefits and risks for investors.

• When Buying Is Easy, Paying Later Can Be a Problem

  Spreading out payments for online purchases may be tempting, but shoppers should think twice before committing to installment purchases.

February

• Building Blocks for Financing College with Less Debt

  Financing a college education with minimal debt requires planning, saving, financial aid knowledge, research, and sound decision-making.

• How to Correct an Error on Your Credit Report

  Did you know credit report errors more than doubled during the pandemic? Find out how to get your free credit report and correct any errors.

• Are You a HENRY? Consider These Wealth-Building Strategies

  High earner, not rich yet (HENRY) refers to young professionals with big incomes and little savings. Find out how HENRYs might grow wealth.