Newsletters
45% of American workers have saved less than $25,000 for retirement, and 26% have saved less than $1,000.
Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2018
Will you outlive your retirement income? Are your financial expectations for the coming year realistic?
Our financial newsletters are designed to provide helpful information on a wide variety of financial topics. Simply click on one of the newsletter topics below to read the article in its entirety.
July
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HOT TOPIC: All Eyes on the U.S. Economy as It Caps Off Decade of Growth
This article compares the current economic expansion with prior business cycles and examines developments that could affect future growth.
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Seeking Balance in a Mutual Fund
Balancing stocks and bonds can be a central part of building an investment portfolio. Find out how balanced funds follow a similar strategy.
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What’s the Real Return on Your Investments?
Tax rates, interest rates, and inflation can all cut into the value of investment dollars. This article looks at real return on investments.
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Indexed Annuities: Growth Potential with Downside Protection
Discover how indexed annuities work, including the risks and potential benefits of purchasing an indexed annuity contract.
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New Study Finds Widespread Job Loss After 50
A job loss after age 50 can carry serious consequences. These tips may help you prepare professionally and financially for a late-career challenge.
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Calculating Key Financial Ratios
The financial ratios that help measure an organization’s performance may also be used by potential lenders and investors. Learn more.
May
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HOT TOPIC: 1040 Postmortem: Making Sense of Your Taxes and Withholding
Surprised by the final numbers on your 2018 tax return? Here are some tips for adjusting withholding to help avoid surprises next tax season.
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Bonds Can Offer Stability Even with Rising Rates
Explore three major categories of bonds, plus ideas for navigating the bond market amid climbing interest rates.
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SRI Investing: Not Just for Stocks
Find out how individual impact bonds may allow investors to preserve principal and generate income while supporting activities that are important to them.
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Be Aware of Observation Care
Covered by Medicare? Discover how observation status can impact your out-of-pocket costs and eligibility for post-hospital skilled nursing facility coverage.
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Watch Out for Scams That Target Businesses
Financial scams aimed at businesses are on the rise. See which potentially costly schemes owners and employees need to look out for.
April
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HOT TOPIC: The Fed Hits the Brakes: No Rate Hikes Projected in 2019
The Fed signaled a pause in raising interest rates. How markets reacted and what the change says about the direction of the U.S. economy.
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Do You Need a Power of Attorney?
Explore three types of powers of attorney and find out how a living will can supplement a durable POA for health care.
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Why Americans Are Eating Out Less Than Ever
Dining out is on the decline. Discover why Americans prepared about 82% of their meals and snacks at home in 2018.
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Trusts Offer More Than Estate Tax Protection
Find out whether a testamentary trust, living trust, or special-purpose trust can benefit your family.
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Considering Preferreds? Proceed with Caution
Considering investing in preferred stocks? This overview examines the risks and potential benefits.
March
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HOT TOPIC: Keeping an Eye on Corporate Debt
This article looks at credit quality in the corporate bond market and the potential impact on fixed-income portfolios.
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Taking a Team Approach to Retirement Savings
Even if you and your spouse have separate retirement accounts, you may still be able to craft a unified savings and investment strategy.
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Bridging the Gap Between Retirement and Medicare Eligibility
See three options that may help you bridge the health insurance coverage gap between retirement and Medicare eligibility.
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Estate Taxes: Should a Trust Own Your Life Insurance?
An irrevocable life insurance trust can help pay estate taxes, but recent exemption level increases may warrant a new insurance strategy.
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Succession Plans Often Hinge on Reliable Valuation
Discover the role a reliable business valuation can play in succession, tax, and retirement planning.
February
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Need to Tap Your 401(k)? Proceed with Care
Explore an overview of rules and tax consequences for 401(k) plan hardship distributions and other early withdrawals.
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Looking Back, Looking Ahead
See the indicators economists rely on to understand the past, present, and potential future direction of the economy.
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Getting Real About Retirement
This article features a worksheet and relevant information to help estimate retirement expenses and income.
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Seeking Synergy: Why Mergers and Acquisitions Matter to Investors
Find out how and why mergers and acquisitions take place (and why they matter to investors).
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A Business Plan Can Be Your Guide to Growth
A business plan can be an important step toward success. Here are some key components to consider.
January
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HOT TOPIC: After Rocky Year-End, Risks Follow Investors into 2019
In the final quarter of 2018, interest-rate fears and unresolved geopolitical issues upset the financial markets and reversed many of the gains notched earlier in the year.
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ABLE Accounts for Disability Expenses
Explore ABLE account requirements and potential benefits, including new saving opportunities under the 2017 tax law.
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Are Your Designated Heirs Up-to-Date?
The New Year might be a good time to review and update beneficiaries on estate documents, insurance policies, and financial accounts.
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Consider a Customized Disability Policy
Review the potential benefits of an individual disability income policy vs. a group policy, as well as common riders.
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Technology Trend: How Blockchain Could Impact the Future
Businesses and governments are exploring blockchain applications as they seek to improve transparency, increase productivity, and reduce costs.
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Some Small Companies Facing Tariff Troubles
Small-business owners should watch for trade policy changes that could impact their products, supply chains, or competitors.