Newsletters

May

• HOT TOPIC: Rescuing America’s Safety Net

  This article looks at the current fiscal outlook for the Social Security and Medicare programs and presents some potential changes that might help to strengthen them.

Diversifying with Market Caps

The S&P 500 Index ended 2022 down 19.4%. Midsize and smaller companies also lost ground but generally held their value better than large companies. This article explains why holding stocks in companies of different sizes can help diversify a portfolio.

Keep an Eye Out for IRS-Related Scams

Although IRS scams are especially prevalent during tax season, they also take place throughout the year. This article identifies some common tax scams and offers tips to help avoid becoming a victim.

Social Security Offers Benefits from Birth Through Old Age

The bulk of Social Security benefits go to retirees, but Social Security is much more than a retirement program. This article outlines other types of Social Security benefits.

Municipal Bonds: A Tax-Advantaged Way to Put Capital to Work

Muni bonds and tax-exempt funds have long been a mainstay in the portfolios of income-focused investors who want to manage their tax burdens.

Bear Market Emotions: Strategy vs. Reaction

Staying disciplined in building a well-constructed portfolio over time can help carry investors through the market’s rough spots.

April

• HOT TOPIC: Bank Failures Shine Light on Interest Rate Risks

  Read about the reasons some banks are coming under pressure, including the rapid rise of interest rates, financial market effects, and the role of the FDIC.

Are You Eligible for Any of These College-Related Federal Tax Benefits?

College students and their parents need all the help they can get when paying for college or repaying student loans. This article explains three federal tax benefits that could take some of the sting out of expensive college costs.

Time for a Spring Cleanup: Organizing Your Financial Records

Spring is a good time to clean out and organize financial records. This article offers guidelines on how long different types of records need to be retained.

Retiring in a Down Market? Don’t Panic

Market volatility makes most investors nervous, but a big downturn can be especially disturbing to those who are approaching retirement or newly retired. This article presents three fundamental concepts that may help investors keep market movements in perspective and maintain their focus on long-term goals.

Trusts — Not Just for Estate Taxes

In the past, trusts were often used to avoid estate taxes, but that purpose has become less important for most people with current high exemption amounts. However, a properly constructed trust can serve many other purposes for families of more modest means.

Business Owners: Should You Organize as an LLC?

Establishing an LLC creates a separate legal entity to help shield a business owner’s personal assets from lawsuits brought against the firm by customers or employees.

March

• HOT TOPIC: Red Ink: The Debt Ceiling and Deficit Spending

  This report explains the potential consequences of not raising the debt limit in a timely manner and provides an overview of new projections from the CBO for future deficits and the national debt.

Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2023

Find out about cost-of-living adjustments that affect retirement plan contribution limits and other deductions and threshold amounts.

Creating Your Own “Operation London Bridge”

Queen Elizabeth II had a complex end-of-life plan, but you may also need an appropriate plan to help ease the burden on your family members.

Double Up with a Spousal IRA

Do you know how to fund an IRA for a nonworking spouse? These IRS rules can help couples build retirement savings based on joint income.

When Should Young Adults Start Investing for Retirement?

Now is the best time to start retirement investing for two key reasons: compounding and tax management. Read this article to learn more.

The Inflation Experience is Painful – and Personal

This article discusses consumer price index categories, how they’re weighted, and the top drivers of inflation over the past year.

February

• HOT TOPIC: SECURE 2.0 Aims to Brighten the Future for Retirement Savers

  This article provides an overview of upcoming changes that could affect workplace retirement plan participants and IRA owners due to legislation passed by Congress at the end of 2022.

• Balancing Stocks and Bonds in One Fund

  Discover what to look for in a balanced mutual fund and learn how this type of fund might be used in a portfolio.

• Fixed for Life: What Can an Annuity Do for You?

  Do you know the difference between immediate and deferred annuities and options for annuitization? Read this article to find out.

• Three Ways to Help Simplify Your Finances

  Over time, finances can become complicated. Here are three ideas that might make them simpler and less stressful.

• IRA Strategies: After-Tax Money and the Pro-Rata Rule

  The pro-rata rule determines how much of a traditional IRA distribution is taxable. Read this article to learn how the rule is applied.

• Small Businesses Should Prepare for Stronger Tax Enforcement

  The IRS is receiving $80 billion to upgrade its technology and workforce. This article offers tips for business owners to help avoid a tax audit.

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.

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.

August

• Inflation Protection for Investment Dollars

  Did you know that Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) can help hedge a bond portfolio against inflation? This article explains how.

• Life Insurance Living Benefits

  In addition to the death benefit, life insurance policies can provide other benefits while the policyholder is still alive. Find out more.

• Uncle Sam Wants to Know About Your Gig Income

  Discover how a 2022 IRS tax reporting change could affect people who are self-employed or whose side job pays through an app or online platform.

• Sticker Shock Is No Joke for Car Buyers

  This article discusses recent trends affecting the automotive market and includes suggestions for those who want to purchase a vehicle.

• Six Steps to Starting a New Business

  Have you thought about starting your own business? Here’s an overview of some important first steps in the entrepreneurial process.

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.

June

• 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.

• Are You Ready to Cancel Your Cable TV?

  Do streaming services make you contemplate cutting the cord? Read about some features, benefits, and limitations to consider before doing so.

• 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.

• Consider a Bond Ladder for Rising Interest Rates

  A bond ladder can help mitigate the effect of rising rates, generate income, and dampen the effects of stock market volatility. Learn more.