What’s Your Real Return?
While investors typically look at the nominal return on their investments, it’s important to understand the real return in order to target financial goals.
First Vice President - Investments
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.
While investors typically look at the nominal return on their investments, it’s important to understand the real return in order to target financial goals.
The Fed’s first rate cut of one-half percentage point in four years marks a critical juncture for the economy, with significant implications for consumers, businesses, and investors.
Credit cards are being used more than ever. This article offers suggestions for choosing and using a credit card.
Life insurance needs change over time. This article presents five guidelines to help determine an appropriate amount of life insurance coverage.
Auto insurance premiums increased more than 18% between July 2023 and July 2024. This article outlines some steps that may help reduce premiums.
This article offers eight quotes from successful investors, economists, and other insightful thinkers that may help provide perspective and focus for an investing strategy.
The average net worth of U.S. families surpassed $1 million for the first time in 2022, but wealth levels vary greatly by age, housing status, education, and income.
Beneficiaries who postpone claiming Social Security past full retirement age have the option of receiving a lump-sum payment for up to six months of benefits when they finally apply.
On August 5, 2024, the S&P 500 dropped 3% from its previous close but bounced back quickly. This article explains why investors would be wise to tune out the noise of market volatility.
This article explains the basics of capital gains taxes when selling a home.
The road to retirement is typically not a smooth ride. This article looks at five potential risks that can slow progress along the way.
The National Association of Realtors is implementing new policies related to how real estate brokers are compensated. Here are some implications for buyers, sellers, and their agents.
This article explains how asset allocation and diversification can work together to help mitigate portfolio risk.
This article discusses some unique characteristics of REITs, including how they can offer a consistent income stream and why changing interest rates can affect REIT performance.
Why do policymakers pay attention to how consumers are feeling, and what’s behind Americans’ lack of confidence?
Scammers often prey on those who are most vulnerable. This article outlines common scams that target people who have lost a loved one.
This article looks at some of the demographic trends and economic challenges related to global aging.
Skyrocketing new vehicle costs and high interest rates could make leasing a cost-saving option. This article looks at the advantages and disadvantages of owning vs. leasing.
529 plans and Roth IRAs can both be used to save for college. This article compares the features of these two saving options.
Most home improvements are not tax deductible, but certain types of projects might help reduce your tax burden in other ways.
This quiz allows readers to test their knowledge of the ages related to key federal benefits and tax responsibilities.
This article discusses why the values of U.S. commercial property and homes have performed differently and how lingering weakness in the real estate sector could affect the economy.
It’s important for affluent families to reassess their liability coverage periodically, to make sure it’s sufficient based on their finances, lifestyles, and the related risks.
While traditional economic models assume that people make rational decisions, most humans don’t think like robots. This article summarizes some common biases that can influence financial decisions.
After filing last year’s tax return, it may be a good time to adjust income tax withholding. This article explains how to estimate and adjust withholding.
One in 10 Americans leases a storage unit. But for many, it may be worthwhile to let go of unneeded belongings instead.
Many people would rather not think about the consequences of aging in general, much less that they might eventually need to rethink their living situation.
In July 2023, the Department of Education launched a new income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans called the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan.
This article looks at some of the reasons behind the inflation numbers, the likely effect on Fed decisions, and the potential economic impact.
U.S. home values held steady in 2023, even as mortgage rates rose to the highest levels in a generation. What could the current state of the housing market mean for the broader U.S. economy?
This article explains environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing and its potential effect on portfolio performance.
Being named as the executor of an estate is generally an honor but settling an estate can be a difficult and time-consuming job. This article provides an overview of typical executor responsibilities.
Individual bonds and bond funds can both provide an income stream, but there are important differences. This article provides an overview of these two types of investments.
A family limited partnership is a legal agreement that enables business owners and their heirs to address succession, estate, and tax planning needs, all at once.
Purchasing a fixed annuity shifts the risk for future investment returns to the insurance company and could help create a pension-like income stream for retirement.
Naming a life insurance policy’s beneficiaries should be a relatively simple task, but there are some situations that can lead to unintended and adverse consequences.
Investing Internationally can help increase portfolio diversification and provide access to opportunities that may differ from those in the United States.
This article looks at the importance of productivity to the U.S. economy, possible contributing factors to the recent surge, and the prospects for an extended period of strong productivity growth.
The findings of two recent academic studies may offer insight into how investors can make more fruitful financial decisions.
Couples who have opposite philosophies regarding saving and spending often have trouble finding common ground. This article offers some tips to learn to work with financial differences.
This article presents the IRS’ cost-of-living adjustments for 2024 that affect contribution limits for retirement plans and various tax deduction, exclusion, exemption, and threshold amounts.
High-income participants will not be allowed to make pre-tax catch-up contributions to a traditional 401(k) or similar plan starting in 2026, but they will be able to contribute to a workplace Roth.
This article outlines the Federal Reserve’s three main objectives and provides the meeting schedule of the Federal Open Market Committee.
This article explains why it may be better to use a credit card for certain transactions, as long as the bill is paid on time to avoid interest charges.
This article provides an overview of four estate planning documents that almost everyone should have: a durable power of attorney, a medical directive, a will, and a letter of instruction.
Credit may not be at the top of the list when it comes to retirement, but good credit can make a big difference for retirees. This article looks at some key factors that lenders consider.
Taxpayers may want to be aware of important updates as they prepare to file their 2023 federal returns. This article includes information, filing tips, and last-minute opportunities for tax savings.
Despite tougher lending conditions and higher interest costs, many people who need capital for business purposes may need to borrow money. This article discusses some common financing options.
This article explains how a 529 plan can help a family save for college, including recent changes that have made these plans more flexible.
With inflation cutting deeper than ever into consumers’ purchasing power, getting rid of a few unnecessary recurring charges could be a painless way to help balance the household budget.
Does your income strategy beyond traditional retirement age include receiving a paycheck? This article looks at the advantages and disadvantages of working later in life.
Life insurance can help replace much-needed income after the death of a provider. With the wide variety of policies available, it’s important to understand the basic types of coverage.
Only 51% of workers or their spouses have tried to estimate the savings they would need to live comfortably in retirement. This article offers a simple worksheet to help calculate a savings target.
The SECURE 2.0 Act made wide-ranging changes to U.S. tax laws related to retirement savings. This article provides an overview of some important provisions that take effect in 2024.
The SECURE 2.0 Act modified the rules for qualified charitable distributions to allow funding a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust from an IRA.
The U.S economy grew in the third quarter of 2023, despite high interest rates and unsettling geopolitical conflict. This article discusses market conditions and economic forecasts for 2024.
In March 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed the first federal limits for six types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in public drinking water.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included provisions intended to lower prescription drug costs for Medicare enrollees and slow drug spending by the federal government.
This article provides an overview of the changes the SECURE 2.0 Act made and a brief explanation of how to calculate required minimum distributions from tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
Two different Purchasing Managers Indexes are generally considered to be leading economic indicators that can help businesses and investors make more informed decisions.
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