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.
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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.
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.
May
Previous Newsletters
May
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.
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.
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.
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.
April
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.
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.
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.
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 mainta
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
December
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.
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.
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.
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.
HOT TOPIC: ‘Tis the Season for Tax-Friendly Giving Strategies
Donating to charity could offer tax benefits and may increase your ability to give. This article explores various tax-advantaged giving strategies.
November
HOT TOPIC: What Does a Strong Dollar Mean for the U.S. Economy?
This article looks at why the dollar is surging and how the strong dollar may affect U.S. consumers, businesses, and the broader economy.
Retirement Savings in a Volatile Market
Emotional reactions can be an enemy of sound investing. This article offers perspective and strategies that may help investors stay the course.
New Life for Your Old Insurance Policy
Did you know that there are alternatives to abandoning or surrendering current life insurance coverage? Learn more in this article.
October
Donor-Advised Funds Combine Charitable Impact with Tax Benefits
This article discusses how a donor-advised fund might be used to time charitable contributions for tax purposes or to gift appreciated assets.
Small Businesses Are Short-Staffed and Overwhelmed
The pandemic kicked off a severe labor shortage. What can small-business owners do if they are struggling to meet staffing needs?
HOT TOPIC: CHIPS and Science Act Aims to Preserve U.S. Technology Edge
This article discusses the CHIPS and Science Act’s key provisions, as the U.S. strives to reduce its reliance on semiconductors produced overseas.
Building Financial Resilience
Steps to be better positioned for turbulent events such as inflation, roller-coaster markets, and global events — and hopefully emerge even stronger.
September
Sticker Shock May Drive Consumers to Used Cars
As new car prices skyrocket, these three trends could make 2019 a good year to buy a three-year-old vehicle.
Dividends for Income and Total Returns
Dividend investing can be a dependable source of income for retirees and others. This article provides an overview.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
August
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.
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.
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.
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.
July
HOT TOPIC: Tech Sector Turmoil and the Bear Market
This article discusses factors that have been driving market volatility and provides perspective to help investors make sound portfolio decisions.
WEP and GPO Can Reduce Social Security Benefits
Explore an overview of the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset used in calculating Social Security benefits for certain people.
How Long Should You Keep Financial Records?
The end of tax season might be a good time to organize financial records. Discover guidelines to help you decide what to keep and what to discard.
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.
A Wealth of Information: How to Read a Mutual Fund Prospectus
Did you know a mutual fund prospectus provides key details about the fund? This article offers an overview of information in a prospectus.
June
HOT TOPIC: Rising Rates Join Long List of Housing Dilemmas
This article explores how soaring housing costs, rising rates, and declining affordability could impact borrowers and the housing market.
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.
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.
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.
Avoiding Probate
Probate can result in added expenses and delays when settling an estate. Read about four ways to avoid the probate process.
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