Newsletters
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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This article compares the current economic expansion with prior business cycles and examines developments that could affect future growth.
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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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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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Discover how indexed annuities work, including the risks and potential benefits of purchasing an indexed annuity contract.
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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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The financial ratios that help measure an organization’s performance may also be used by potential lenders and investors. Learn more.
June
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A look at the issues behind the trade war with China, as well as who will carry the costs of the tariffs and the potential effect on the U.S. economy.
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Dollar-cost averaging can help investors focus on building their portfolios through regular investing rather than reacting to market swings.
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Can a Roth IRA double as a college savings tool? Find out how a Roth IRA compares with state-based 529 college savings plans.
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Many U.S. states offer a way to avoid probate when leaving the family home to your heirs. Learn more about transfer-on-death deeds.
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Do you know which factors influence bond yields and why the gap between short- and long-term yields is often viewed as an economic indicator?
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Monetizing a closely held business can be a difficult process, so owners may want to plan an exit strategy before they really need one.
May
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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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Explore three major categories of bonds, plus ideas for navigating the bond market amid climbing interest rates.
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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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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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View Social Security’s financial outlook, plus seven proposed fixes for a looming shortfall that may affect future benefits.
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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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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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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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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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Find out whether a testamentary trust, living trust, or special-purpose trust can benefit your family.
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Considering investing in preferred stocks? This overview examines the risks and potential benefits.
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Wondering if you can still write off 50% of the cost of business meals? Find out what is and isn’t deductible.
March
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This article looks at credit quality in the corporate bond market and the potential impact on fixed-income portfolios.
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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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Discover why it might be worth waiting for a record of financial results before investing in an initial public offering.
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See three options that may help you bridge the health insurance coverage gap between retirement and Medicare eligibility.
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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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Discover the role a reliable business valuation can play in succession, tax, and retirement planning.
February
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Explore the cost of the longest government shutdown in recent history, from its economic impact to its effect on public safety and services.
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Explore an overview of rules and tax consequences for 401(k) plan hardship distributions and other early withdrawals.
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See the indicators economists rely on to understand the past, present, and potential future direction of the economy.
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This article features a worksheet and relevant information to help estimate retirement expenses and income.
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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 an important step toward success. Here are some key components to consider.
January
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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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Explore ABLE account requirements and potential benefits, including new saving opportunities under the 2017 tax law.
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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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Review the potential benefits of an individual disability income policy vs. a group policy, as well as common riders.
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Businesses and governments are exploring blockchain applications as they seek to improve transparency, increase productivity, and reduce costs.
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Small-business owners should watch for trade policy changes that could impact their products, supply chains, or competitors.
December
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A look at what’s driving the high consumer confidence level and the importance of consumer spending to the broader economy.
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Some college grads pay off student loans at the expense of saving for the future. See steps that may help them do both.
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Some stocks and stock funds may help reduce the volatility in a portfolio.
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Millions of Americans own mutual funds. This overview can help you review the mix of funds you own.
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A 1035 exchange may allow a permanent life policy to be traded for a more suitable insurance product.
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Association health plans may enable small businesses to save money, but how do AHPs compare to small-group health insurance?
November
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An overview of the potential benefits, limitations, and rules of Roth 401(k) accounts.
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Community property laws that apply in nine states and “equitable distribution” laws that apply in other states.
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Helping a grandchild obtain a college degree could be life-changing for the student. Still, it’s important to consider how a gift could affect student aid and taxes.
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In addition to setting aside pre-tax income to pay current and future medical expenses, an HSA could play an important role in your long-term retirement strategy.
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A flat 21% tax rate may seem like a good reason for a pass-through entity to convert to a C corporation, but there are other factors to consider.
October
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Seven classic quotes about investing from successful investors, economists, and other insightful thinkers.
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An overview of basic Social Security rules and options that are often misunderstood, whether workers are looking forward to claiming benefits in 1 or 30 years.
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Some tips for parents and college students to consider, whether opening a new checking account or using an old one.
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Some considerations for a divorcing couple who are dividing marital assets, such as retirement accounts, and filing for Social Security.
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Small-business owners will want to take full advantage of every legal tax break available, such as deductions for a home office and automobile expenses.
September
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A glimpse into how blockchain might impact businesses, and a warning for investors to heed the risks associated with blockchain investments.
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An investor’s personal situation should be considered when assessing his or her risk tolerance.
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Universal life and variable universal life insurance have risks and potential benefits, including a death benefit with a tax-advantaged savings element.
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Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) can help hedge a bond portfolio against a potential spike in inflation.
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A letter of instruction could be just as important as a will to help heirs settle an estate and move forward with their lives.
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A family limited partnership is a legal agreement that enables business owners and their heirs to address tax issues, business succession, and estate planning needs.
August
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ETFs have some attractive features that set them apart from mutual funds, but there are also cost and risk factors to consider.
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A new term life insurance policy can be quite expensive as people age. Survivorship life insurance may be a more cost-effective solution.
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The relationship between oil prices and GDP growth has become more complicated in recent years due to the expanded U.S. presence in the global oil market.
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Fundamental factors that can affect the short- and longer-term performance of equity REITs, including taxation of REIT shares.
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Cash balance plans can be a powerful tool for employee recruitment and retention, plus they have generous contribution limits that increase with age.
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