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Fifty-four percent of American workers have saved less than $25,000 for retirement, and 43% have saved less than $10,000.1
Source: 1) Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2010

Will you outlive your retirement income?  How much liability insurance should you have? Should you add stocks to your portfolio?  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.

  • February

    Getting to Know Your Beneficiaries
    Estate conservation issues may be uncomfortable to face, but there's probably no other aspect that is as simple or inexpensive as designating beneficiaries for employer-sponsored retirement plans, IRAs, and life insurance policies.

  • July

    HOT TOPIC: Are Housing Troubles Standing in the Way of Growth?
    In the wake of past recessions, the housing industry provided a meaningful economic boost. This time around, the pace of the recovery has been more sluggish than expected, and ongoing weakness in the housing sector may be to blame.

    Tips for Surviving the Estate Tax
    The federal estate tax was reinstated retroactively to January 1, 2010, by the 2010 Tax Relief Act. However, the favorable provisions are scheduled to expire at the end of 2012, when estates exceeding $1 million could be subject to the federal levy.

    Finding a Good Time to Invest
    When a prominent stock market index closes above an important threshold, many investors who have been sitting on the sidelines may see it as good time to invest, but they may have missed a significant part of the rally. Waiting for the "right" moment to invest could prove to be a costly and ineffective strategy.

    Favorable Dividend and Capital Gains Tax Rates Extended—for Now
    The 2010 Tax Relief Act extended the 15% maximum tax rates on qualified dividends and long-term capital gains through December 31, 2012. But without further legislation, dividends will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates and capital gains tax rates will return to 20% (23.8% for investors in the two highest tax brackets) in 2013.

    Managing Cash When Interest Rates Are Low
    It's generally a good idea to keep three to six months of income in an emergency fund, but where should cash be kept when interest rates are low? This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and money market funds.

    Put It in Writing
    A high level of job satisfaction is fairly typical of business owners, but it can also be a hindrance if it keeps them from thinking about a planned exit strategy. A written exit plan could help you avoid surprises.

  • June

    Using a Variable Annuity for Guaranteed Income
    One recommendation from the White House Task Force on Middle Class Working Families was for retirees to consider purchasing annuities to help provide a stable income. Investors who want their retirement portfolios to go the distance might want to learn more about variable annuities.

    The Difference Between the Debt and the Deficit
    The terms "debt" and "deficit" are often used interchangeably to describe the federal government's financial situation, yet they have significantly different meanings. This explanation of the budget deficit and the national debt may help readers understand the conversation.

    Deciding When to Begin
    Waiting until full retirement age (or up to age 70) to claim Social Security may result in significantly higher monthly benefits. At age 62, the earliest age to claim Social Security, the amount received could be only 70% of the benefit received at "full retirement age" (which ranges from age 65 to 67 depending on year of birth).

    Tax Law Keeps S Corporations Attractive
    S corporations are more common than C corporations and partnerships, perhaps because they are not subject to the corporate tax. Instead, profits and losses flow directly to shareholders, who are currently taxed at lower individual income tax rates. Read why reorganizing as an S corporation may be a smart move.

    HOT TOPIC: Current Economic Conditions and the Prospect for Inflation
    Inflation jumped up to 3.2% in April. That’s still below the 50-year average but it may be little consolation for anyone who has been to a gas station or a grocery store recently.

  • May

    HOT TOPIC: Debating the Debt Ceiling
    There has been substantial debate in Congress over raising the ceiling on the national debt. Although many Americans could be adversely affected if Congress decided not to increase the debt ceiling, this is unlikely to happen.

    Giving the Gift of Knowledge
    A college education is still a good investment. Consider this statistic: The overall unemployment rate reached as high as 9.9% in 2010, but for workers with a bachelor's degree or higher, it did not exceed 5.1%. But a college education can be expensive. There is a tax-advantaged way to accumulate money for a child's or grandchild's education: a Section 529 plan.

    Never Retire? Don't Count on It
    In a recent survey, just 40% of wealthy individuals indicated they are totally confident they will have enough money for retirement. The other 60% said they will shun traditional retirement and work as long as possible. However, it could be dangerous to believe that a retirement income shortfall can be overcome by working past the traditional retirement age.

    Building a Business Versus Building Wealth
    The market for small businesses has been less than ideal over the past few years. Thus a business owner's efforts to build a successful business may not always translate to an increase in personal wealth. One way to insulate a business owner's personal financial situation from the fluctuating small-business market is by investing outside the company.

  • April

    HOT TOPIC: Eye on Japan's Recovery Within a Recovery
    Japan’s economy hasn’t been on solid ground since the 1990s, but now it must grapple with rebuilding after an earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident that have caused economic losses expected to surpass $300 billion. What is the outlook for Japan and the effects the nation's disasters could have on the world economy and financial markets?

    Consider Your Retirement Needs, but Don't Forget Your Retirement Wants
    A rule of thumb is that workers will need to replace about 80% of their pre-retirement incomes to maintain their standard of living in retirement. But they may need more than 80% to fund a lifestyle that they can truly look forward to. As people grow older, what once may have been considered luxuries can become basic needs.

    How Interest Rates Can Influence Financial Decisions
    The Federal Reserve has relied on its control of short-term interest rates to influence economic activity. Adjusting interest rates might seem to be an overly simple solution for steering the world's most powerful economy, but few mechanisms can influence behavior more effectively than interest rates.

    Protect Your Business with a Disaster Readiness Plan
    Most people think of hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes as events that could seriously affect the operations of a business and result in shortages of goods and materials. But even a fire or a flood in the warehouse can cause operations to come to a grinding halt. By one estimate, one-quarter of businesses never reopen after a major calamity.

  • March

    HOT TOPIC: The Federal Estate Tax Is Back and May Be Here to Stay
    The estate tax has been reinstated after being allowed to lapse in 2010. The new estate tax provisions are the most generous in decades — but they are temporary. A far more stringent estate tax is slated to take effect after 2012. Fortunately, a properly structured trust may help some families reduce their potential exposure to the estate tax.

    Help Keep Your Estate Out of Probate
    Anyone who has seen an estate go through probate knows that it's the legal equivalent of having a tooth pulled. But just like tooth decay, probate may not be entirely avoidable.

    Protecting What May Be Your Most Valuable Asset
    Statistics indicate 43% of 40-year-olds will suffer at least one long-term disability (lasting 90 days or longer) before age 65. Disability income insurance could help protect your most valuable asset: your ability to earn an income.

    Exchange-Traded Funds: In a Class by Themselves
    In 2010, the combined assets of the nation's ETFs topped more than $800 billion. ETFs are unique investments that share some similarities with mutual funds but trade like stocks. ETFs have some appealing characteristics, including trading flexibility, potentially lower expense ratios, tax efficiency, and diversification.