Five Investment Tasks to Tackle by Year-End
2020 market turbulence underscores the importance of reviewing an investment portfolio. These five steps could help keep it on track.
.jpg?width=1200)
.jpg?width=768)
.jpg?width=320)
Newsletters
Which are the most tax-advantaged ways to save for kids’ college costs? Will your income stream last through retirement? Is your investment portfolio aligned with the economic and market outlook?
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 an article in its entirety.
Previous Newsletters
November
Three Questions to Consider During Open Enrollment
Making benefit elections for next year? This article covers three key areas that require careful consideration during open enrollment.
Passive, Active, or Both?
Passively managed index funds and actively managed funds can perform differently over different market cycles. Find out more about each.
Four Steps to Rebuilding Your Business
Small-business owners may need to think on their feet and visualize what a recovery might look like for their operations post COVID-19.
Your Estate: Have You Looked at These Legal Documents Lately?
This article looks at documents that should be kept up to date, including wills, trusts, advance medical directives, and beneficiary forms.
HOT TOPIC: The Jobs Recovery: More Work to Be Done
This article looks at the pace, scope and potential future of the jobs recovery following the unprecedented job loss due to the pandemic.
October
Investing in UITs
A Unit Investment Trust is structured differently than a mutual fund or ETF. Could its unique features help you ladder your investments?
Accumulating Funds for Short-Term Goals
Saving for short-term goals can require a conservative approach. This article explores some guidelines and potential investment vehicles.
Business Cycle Basics: Recessions Begin and End Before We Know It
This article discusses how economists identify and measure economic contractions and compares some characteristics of past recessions.
Insurance to Help Protect Your Business from Lawsuits
Some businesses are exposed to risks that may call for a specialized type of liability policy. Does your business have appropriate coverage?
HOT TOPIC: Election 2020: Political Uncertainty Creates Potential for Market Swi
A shift in the balance of power can strongly affect economic policies. View the presidential candidates’ tax proposals and other monetary policy positions.
September
Could You Be Responsible for Your Parents’ Nursing Home Bills?
Filial responsibility laws can hold children responsible for certain parental debts. This potential liability is one reason to plan for long-term care needs.
Survivor Benefits Provide a Financial Lifeline
Decisions made when claiming Social Security retirement benefits can make a big difference in spousal and other dependents’ survivor benefits.
Consider Market Caps for Diversification
2020’s market volatility combined with holding stock in different-sized companies might help you diversify your equity portfolio at a discount.
Student Loan Stress? These Plans Might Help
This article outlines the basic provisions of income-driven repayment plans than can help reduce the burden of federal student loans.
Why Family Businesses Should Have Succession Plans
Do you know the reasons why business owners might need to take the time to develop a thoughtful succession plan?
HOT TOPIC: The Bull Is Back...Will It Keep Charging?
The S&P 500 index recently saw the fastest recovery in its history following the COVID-19 bear market, but will the surge continue?
August
Debit or Credit? Pick a Card
Do you know the differences between debit and credit cards? This article discusses both and when it might be better to use a credit card.
Consider a Roth Conversion for Tax-Free Income
Lower tax rates and asset values may make now the time to consider a Roth conversion. This article outlines the rules and potential benefits.
Turbulent Times: Bear Markets Come and Go
A look at the economic conditions that triggered the 2020 bear market and why investors may benefit from having a longer-term perspective.
HOT TOPIC: College Disrupted: Students Face High Costs and Pandemic Impact
Paying for college can mean borrowing money or risking savings. This article focuses on financial aid and the importance of informed academic choices.
July
Mid-Year Is a Great Time to Fine-Tune Your Finances
The middle of the year is an ideal time to revisit financial resolutions and consider steps that may help develop a stronger financial position.
Four Questions on the Roth Five-Year Rule
This article provides an overview of two versions of the Roth five-year rule and how they apply to various situations.
Playing Defense: Three Portfolio Strategies to Help Control Risk
This article outlines three defensive strategies that may help during economic downturns: low-volatility, dividends, and defensive sectors.
Read a Good Beige Book Lately?
The Federal Reserve’s “Beige Book” provides a broad overview of the economy that is often essential for making economic policy decisions.
Quarterly Taxes: Deadlines Keep Coming for the Self-Employed
If you are self-employed, do you know how to calculate quarterly estimated tax payments in order to avoid underpayment penalties?
HOT TOPIC: The Shape of Economic Recovery
This article looks at the potential shape of the COVID-19 economic recovery with some historical context and key factors that may affect the direction of the economy.
June
Managing Your Workplace Retirement Plan
This article presents some steps employees can take to get the most out of their employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Will vs. Trust: Know the Difference
Wills and trusts can each help in the distribution of assets at death. This article points out important differences between the two.
Why You Might Need Disability Income Insurance
This article explains how an individual disability income insurance policy can help provide income if a disability leaves you unable to work.
Do ETFs Belong in Your Portfolio?
Do you know the potential benefits and risks of exchange-traded funds and how they differ from mutual funds?
HOT TOPIC: Think Twice Before Speculating on a COVID-19 Cure
This article discusses risks involved in developing treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, and why discoveries might not benefit investors.
May
Keeping Cool: Investment Strategy vs. Reaction
This article offers ideas to help investors focus on strategic decisions rather than react emotionally to the latest market news or movements.
Social Security May offer a Lifetime of Protection
This article provides an overview of four times other than retirement when Social Security might affect you or your family.
The Cost of Family Caregiving
A look at the financial, emotional, and physical costs of family caregiving with some helpful suggestions for caregivers.
Telemedicine: The Virtual Doctor Will See You Now
Three Life Insurance Strategies for Small Businesses
This article explores how life insurance might help small businesses attract and retain talent or fund buy-sell agreements.
HOT TOPIC: Too Much Oil with Nowhere to Go
This article looks at the reasons behind crude oil’s price collapse and the larger issue of imbalance between supply and demand in the global oil industry.
April
Looking for Value with P/E Ratios
Discover the basics of P/E ratios, with an emphasis on analyzing them in the appropriate context for making meaningful comparisons.
Living Benefits Can Help Counter Retirement Risks
Optional riders that add living benefits to annuities might help retirees address two financial risks: outliving their savings and paying for long-term care.
Don’t Let a Disaster Keep the Lights Off Forever
As a small business owner, do you know the types of coverages that may or may not be included in a standard business owner policy?
Setting a Retirement Savings Goal
This article features a worksheet to help you estimate the savings you might need to generate your desired retirement income.
HOT TOPIC: U.S. Government Acts to Blunt Financial Impact of Global Pandemic
A discussion of the measures being taken by the federal government to support workers, businesses, financial markets, and the economy in these trying times.
Early Retirement and Your Tax-Deferred Savings
Find out how the rules for early-distribution penalty exceptions differ for withdrawals from traditional IRAs and employer-sponsored plans.
March
Stay-at-Home Spouse? Consider a Spousal IRA
Stay-at-home spouses can fall behind in saving for retirement. This article explains how a spousal IRA can help keep retirement savings on track.
Three Lessons from Retirees
A survey of workers and retirees yielded three key findings that may prove helpful in planning for retirement. Find out more.
Five Red Flags That Raise the Odds of an Audit
Ever wonder why the IRS might take a closer look at a taxpayer’s return? This article discusses different types of audits and what might trigger one.
Behavioral Biases That Can Lead to Costly Mistakes
Learn about six blind spots that can lead to regrettable portfolio decisions (and how investors might avoid them).
Classifying Workers: Know the Rules and Risks
This article explores the complex web of federal and state tax and employment laws that determine how businesses must classify workers.
HOT TOPIC: The Coronavirus and the Global Economy
An examination of how China’s coronavirus-driven slowdown has affected global business activity and a look at its potential economic impact.
February
Do Target-Date Funds Hit the Bull’s-Eye for You?
More than half of 401(k) participants invest in target-date funds, but are they right for everyone? This article provides an overview.
Retirement Savings: Traditional, Roth, or Both?
How does a traditional or Roth structure affect your IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan? And what do their differences mean for older workers?
Municipal Bonds
Tax changes in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act affect some investors more than others, with implications that spill into the municipal bond market.
What Is Cyber Insurance, and Do You Need It?
Cyber attacks and loss of data can be devastating, so businesses should be proactive about addressing this risk.
Three Generations of Retirement Strategies
Millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers face different challenges in pursuing retirement goals. This article offers strategies to help address them.
HOT TOPIC: The SECURE Act and Your Retirement Savings
A discussion of the important provisions in the SECURE Act that could affect retirement, tax, and estate planning strategies.
Important notice: You are leaving the Wells Fargo website
PLEASE NOTE: By clicking on this link, you will leave the Wells Fargo Advisors Web site and enter a privately owned web site created, operated and maintained by a third-party, which is not affiliated with Wells Fargo Advisors or its companies. The information and opinions found on this website have not been verified by our Firm, nor do we make any representations as to its accuracy and completeness. By linking to this Web site, Wells Fargo Advisors is not endorsing this third-party’s products and services, or its privacy and security policies, which may differ from Wells Fargo Advisors. We recommend that you review this third-party’s policies and terms and conditions to fully understand what information may be collected and maintained as a result of your visit to this website.