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Education Update: 10 Tips for Newly Married Couples
In a recent study, 35% of married couples described money issues as their primary source of stress. While there are many potential causes of such financial stress, in some cases the root may begin with habits formed early in the...
Read MoreEducation Update: Insurance When You're Newly Married
Marriage changes everything, including insurance needs. Newly married couples should consider a comprehensive review of their current, individual insurance coverage to determine if any changes are in order as well as consider new...
Read MoreMarket Update: Trade Tensions Linger
The Week on Wall Street Stocks drifted lower last week as investors considered the possibility that the world’s two largest economies might take some time to resolve key trade issues. The S&P 500 retreated 1.17%; the Nasdaq...
Read MoreEducation Update: Red Flags for Tax Auditors
No one wants to see an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) auditor show up at their door. But in 2018, the IRS budget is roughly $1 billion less than it was 8 years ago, down from $12.1 billion in 2010 to $11.2 billion. And even though the...
Read MoreMarket Update: Trade News Moves the Market
The Week on Wall Street Stocks fell sharply at the start of last week over trade tensions, then recovered with help from strong earnings and indications that U.S.-China trade talks would continue. Even so, the major indices had a down...
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Education Update: Is Term Life Insurance for You?
Term insurance is the simplest form of life insurance. It provides temporary life insurance protection on a limited budget.[i] Here’s how it works: When policyholders buy term insurance, they buy coverage for a specific period...
Read MoreMarket Update: Higher Tariffs Take Effect
The Week on Wall Street As we noted recently, Wall Street has a wandering eye. Last week, it focused on the new tariff threats in the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute. Stocks fell across five trading sessions: the Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreMarket Update: Major Indices Have a Mixed Week
The Week on Wall Street Stocks were up and down last week, and the three major benchmarks ended up little changed after five trading days. The S&P 500 rose 0.20% for the week; the Nasdaq Composite, 0.22%. The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreEducation Update: Three Key Questions to Answer Before Taking Social Security
Social Security may be a critical component of your financial strategy in retirement, so before you begin taking it, you should consider three important questions. The answers may affect whether you make the most of this retirement...
Read MoreMarket Update: S&P 500 Reaches a New Peak
The Week on Wall Street Stocks returned to record territory, with both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite closing at historic highs. The S&P gained 1.20% for the week; the Nasdaq, 1.85%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged,...
Read MoreEducation Update: The Cost of Procrastination
Some of us share a common experience. You’re driving along when a police cruiser pulls up behind you with its lights flashing. You pull over, the officer gets out, and your heart drops. “Are you aware the registration on...
Read MoreMarket Update: A Mild Week for the Market
The Week on Wall Street A short and relatively placid trading week wrapped up Thursday, with the major indices turning in mixed performances. The S&P 500 retreated 0.08%, the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.17%, and the Dow Jones...
Read MoreEducation Update: Insurance When You’re Young and Single
The transition to adulthood is an exciting new stage that marks true independence. You may have graduated from college, taken your first job, even rented your first apartment. With this new freedom comes real responsibilities,...
Read MoreMarket Update: The Q1 Earnings Season Begins
The Week on Wall Street Stocks broke out of a narrow range on Friday following news that two major banks grew their bottom line in the first quarter. For the week, the S&P 500 rose 0.79%; the Nasdaq Composite, 0.91%. The Dow Jones...
Read MoreEducation Update: Where Will Your Retirement Money Come From?
For many people, retirement income may come from a variety of sources. Here’s a quick review of the six main sources: Social Security Social Security is the government-administered retirement income program. Workers become...
Read MoreMarket Update: Special Update: Quarterly Report
The Week on Wall Street Stocks just posted their second straight weekly gain. Investors were encouraged by the latest jobs report and new signs of progress on a U.S.-China trade deal. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.17% in...
Read MoreEducation Update: Six Overlooked Tax Deductions
Who among us wants to pay the Internal Revenue Service more taxes than we have to? While few may raise their hands to voluntarily pay more taxes, Americans regularly overpay because they fail to take tax deductions for which they are...
Read MoreMarket Update: Gains Conclude a Great Quarter
The Week on Wall Street Stocks ended last week higher as volatility slowed, completing their best quarter since 2009. A Friday tweet from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin encouraged investors, referring to “constructive”...
Read MoreEducation Update: Earnings for All Seasons
While nature offers four seasons, Wall Street offers only one – four times a year. It’s called “earnings season,” and it can move the markets. So, what is earnings season, and why is it important? Earnings...
Read MoreMarket Update: Treasury Yields Prompt Concerns
The Week on Wall Street Friday, the yield of the 3-month Treasury bill exceeded the yield of the 10-year Treasury note for the first time in 12 years. For some analysts, this “inverted yield curve” may imply a short-term...
Read MoreEducation Update: IRA Withdrawals That Escape the 10% Penalty
An IRA, or Individual Retirement Account, is a tax-advantaged account that is subject to special rules regarding contributions and withdrawals. One of the central rules of IRAs is that withdrawals prior to age 59½ are generally...
Read MoreMarket Update: Dow, S&P, Nasdaq All Rise
The Week on Wall Street The big story last week was the sudden grounding of Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 passenger jets in dozens of countries. The financial effects of this ban could potentially impact the airline industry and segments of...
Read MoreEducation Update: The Investment Risk No One’s Ever Heard Of
Knowledgeable investors are aware that investing in the capital markets presents any number of risks – interest-rate risk, company risk, and market risk. Risk is an inseparable companion to the potential for long-term growth....
Read MoreMarket Update: Stocks Dip on Growth Concerns
The Week on Wall Street As in February, investors spent most of the first full trading week of March hoping for new details in U.S.-China trade negotiations. While they waited, stock benchmarks drifted downward. From Monday’s...
Read MoreMarket Update: S&P Ends Week Little Changed
The Week on Wall Street Stocks lost a little ground as February gave way to March. While domestic and overseas political developments made headlines, the market stayed relatively calm: from Monday’s open through Friday’s...
Read MoreEducation Update: Value vs. Growth Investing
You might be initially confused by these terms or even suspect they aren’t that different in terms of what each model offers you as an investor, but they are very distinct approaches, and it’s good to understand these two...
Read MoreMarket Update: Optimism Spurs a Broad Rally
The Week on Wall Street Stocks rallied last week as optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal grew. The S&P 500 advanced 0.80% during the 4-day trading week to 2,792.67. The Nasdaq Composite improved 0.86% to 7,527.54, and the...
Read MoreEducation Update: Social Security: By the Numbers
Social Security has been a pillar of retirement life for several decades, but how much do you really know about it? Here are a handful of facts that might surprise you: The Social Security trust fund exceeds the gross domestic product...
Read MoreMarket Update: Dow, S&P, Nasdaq Climb Higher
The Week on Wall Street Stocks ended a good week on a high note, as hints of progress in U.S.-China trade talks encouraged investors. When the closing bell rang Friday, the S&P 500 settled at 2,775.60, after rising 2.50% in five days....
Read MoreEducation Update: Certain Uncertainties in Retirement
The financial uncertainties we face in retirement may risk reducing our sense of confidence, potentially undermining our outlook during those years. Indeed, according to the 2018 Retirement Confidence Survey by the Employee Benefits...
Read MoreMarket Update: Stocks Post Small Weekly Gains
The Week on Wall Street Major U.S. stock benchmarks eked out slight gains last week, with corporate profit reports and news about U.S.-China trade negotiations vying for investor attention over five trading sessions. The big three...
Read MoreEducation Update: The Great Debate Continues: Active vs. Passive
In sports, music, and politics, there are “great debates” that never seem to conclude. In the investment world, one great debate asks a thought-provoking question: which investment approach is better? Active or passive?...
Read MoreMarket Update: Markets Gain Again
Last week closed out one of stocks’ top January performances in years. In fact, both the S&P 500 and Dow posted their best January results in at least 3 decades.[i] For the week, major domestic indexes were also up. The S&P 500...
Read MoreEducation Update: Countdown to College
Most parents want to give their children the best opportunity for success and getting into the right college may help open doors. According to the latest income-per-education-level data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics,...
Read MoreEducation Update: Your Emergency Fund: How Much is Enough?
Have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing and your family ends up on a first-name basis with the nurse at urgent care. Then, as you’re driving to work, giving yourself...
Read MoreEducation Update: The Anatomy of an Index
Did you know that nearly $10 trillion in assets are benchmarked to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index, including about $3.5 trillion in index assets?[i] The S&P 500 is ubiquitous. It is constantly referenced in financial...
Read MoreEducation Update: Traditional vs. Roth IRAs
IRAs can be an important tool in your retirement savings belt, and whichever you choose to open could have a significant impact on how those accounts might grow. IRAs, or Individual Retirement Accounts, are tax-advantaged accounts used...
Read MoreMarket Update: Markets Up—And Volatile
Markets Up—And Volatile Weekly Update – January 7, 2019 U.S. markets experienced more wild sessions last week before ending in positive territory as the recent turbulence continued. In fact, we are currently in the middle...
Read MoreEducation Update: Understanding Homeowners Insurance
If you arrange a mortgage, your lender will want you to have homeowners insurance. This coverage is critical for protecting your home and personal property against various potential liabilities. A homeowners insurance policy is...
Read MoreEducation Update: Putting a Price Tag On Your Health
We constantly hear how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. That is not always easy, especially in the face of temptation or the easy option of procrastination. For some, the monetary benefits of maintaining a healthy...
Read MoreEducation Update: The Importance of Setting Intermediate Financial Goals
You understand the value of setting financial goals. Goals serve as stepping stones to achieving your dreams. Saving for retirement is a top priority for many people since some analysts suggest you may need as much as $1 million to...
Read MoreEducation Update: Tips for Managing Your Annuity Income
Many retirement planners find that utilizing annuities may be a good way to generate guaranteed income. Annuities allow you to set retirement distributions based on their type and how much you contributed. Like all investment and...
Read MoreEducation Update: Keep Your Finances in Order When Divorcing Later in Life
Divorcing later in life is becoming more commonplace among people 50 and over. Divorce among older couples has more than doubled since the 1990s. In 2015, 10 of 1,000 married people filed for divorce. Five of 1,000 married filed for...
Read MoreEducation Update: Maintain Summer Costs: Tips for Trimming Seasonal Expenses
The signs of summer are beginning to appear: Air conditioners are humming, pools are opening, and gardens are just starting to show some activity. Nature is unfolding and temperatures are rising—along with the temptation to...
Read MoreEducation Update: Financial Readiness for College Graduates
Have a new college graduate? Give your loved one the gift of financial readiness. This is the time of year when college graduates prepare to make their career dreams and goals a reality. Despite their degrees, however, they may be ill...
Read MoreEducation Update: Understanding the Language of Annuities and Insurance
Understanding complex terminology is important to protecting, sustaining, and growing your investments. Here is a guide to some of the most common financial terms: Annuitant: The person designated to receive annuity or pension payments...
Read MoreEducation Update: Are You Losing Sleep Over Money? Here’s What You Can Do
Everyone knows the benefits of a good night’s sleep. But when your mind is on money, sometimes it’s hard to sink into slumber. In fact, nearly two-thirds of Americans occasionally experience sleep problems due to financial...
Read MoreEducation Update: Debunking Common Annuities Misconceptions
Developing a sound retirement strategy requires periodic reviews and analyses of projected income levels in order to maintain the lifestyle you envision. Annuities can serve as useful investments for retirees looking to generate...
Read MoreEducation Update: Time to Spring Clean Your Accounts
Springtime often requires some financial spring cleaning. This is the best time to ensure your accounts are up to date and secure. Here are 3 tips to help keep your finances safe and sound: Update your beneficiaries listing. In the...
Read MoreEducation Update: Know the Difference Between Qualified and Nonqualified Annuities
For many investors looking to secure their cash flow in retirement, annuities are a common way to receive the guaranteed income they need.[i] Different annuities exist, so knowing which option fits your financial life and goals is...
Read MoreEducation Update: Are You Prepared for Retirement Health-Care Costs?
Paying for health care in retirement is not an easy task. Despite rising costs and increasingly complex coverage requirements, you can take steps today to help ensure you’re not struggling tomorrow. As you explore your own...
Read MoreEducation Update: Maintain Your Standard of Living in Retirement
Saving for retirement to sustain your standard of living is a continual effort to prevent your quality of life from declining in later years. Unfortunately, for many retirees, this goal can be difficult to achieve. Even with planning,...
Read MoreEducation Update: Tips for Federal Employees Managing Annuities Benefits to Children
If you’re a federal employee, you have financial benefits available to you that are different from other retirement plans. If you directed your annuity benefits to your children, you have specific distribution details to consider...
Read MoreEducation Update: Two Ways to Trim Your Spending in Retirement
Saving money before and during retirement so their standard of living doesn’t suffer is important for many retirees. Unfortunately, many Americans aren’t saving nearly enough and are falling short of setting aside adequate...
Read MoreEducation Update: Why You Still Need Goal-Based Planning in Retirement
Before you retired, you may have spent time developing strategies to help you reach your retirement goals. You might have invested for the income you would need, minimized your debt, or protected yourself with long-term-care insurance....
Read MoreEducation Update: Tax Benefits of Life Insurance and Annuities
Life insurance policies and annuities can be helpful in providing extra protection and income for you and your family. But you can also increase the value of these benefits with certain tax advantages that each investment provides....
Read MoreEducation Update: Protect Yourself from These Financial Scams
Financial fraud is, unfortunately, a common practice in America that costs individuals and businesses billions of dollars each year. Research shows that people often underreport financial fraud, which is difficult to investigate and...
Read MoreEducation Update: Financial Considerations of Widowhood
Losing a spouse is never easy and a difficult topic for many to even imagine. But when you become a widow or widower, moving beyond the grief to address important financial items in your life is essential. Whether you recently lost...
Read MoreEducation Update: The Unique Financial Needs for Multigenerational Families
Financial lives are inherently complex and require thoughtful perspectives and strategies for you and your loved ones. Multigenerational households pose additional challenges to heads of households. A multigenerational household has...
Read MoreEducation Update: Five Financial Questions to Ask in Retirement
Enjoying a comfortable retirement depends on how well you prepared ahead of time to support your desired lifestyle, and how well you keep a pulse on your financial well-being after you retire. You may need to check periodically to...
Read MoreEducation Update: Why You Need to Name Your Beneficiaries
Life insurance and annuities can bring protection and retirement income that help people meet their financial needs and goals. When you buy these items, you get the opportunity to name beneficiaries who will receive distributions after...
Read MoreEducation Update: The Cost of Healthcare and Elder Care in Retirement
When preparing for retirement, imagining the new lifestyle that awaits you can be exciting. From travel to family time to relaxation, a fulfilling retirement looks different to each individual. Preparing for the quality of life you...
Read MoreEducation Update: Reasons to Revisit Your Life Insurance Policies
For most of your adult life, you may have had the protection of life insurance to help safeguard you and your family. But as your life changed, so did your family’s needs and financial goals. With every transition and milestone,...
Read MoreEducation Update: A Quick Guide to Common Insurance and Annuity Terms
The financial world is filled with industry jargon and lingo. To help you understand common terms, we’ve assembled a quick guide for your reference. From life insurance to annuities, use this glossary to understand the financial...
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