Newsletters
Most Americans spend more time planning for vacations and
holidays than planning for their retirement.1
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.
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August
The Election and Your Money
In this year’s election, there are issues, such as energy, free trade, and inflation, playing a role that could have a significant effect on investors and consumers over the next four years.
It’s Your Home, Not Your Retirement
Although downsizing or using a reverse mortgage to free up home equity can be appropriate for some older retirees, planning to rely on your home to fund your retirement is a corner you may not want to paint yourself into.
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July
Take It Year by Year
The Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates fast and deep. Although not all consumers rates are directly affected by the cuts, they highlight turmoil in the credit markets, rising inflation, and the possibility of slower economic growth.
Get Schooled on Saving for College
One way to be prepared for the possibility that the tab for higher education may be higher than expected is to own take advantage of the tax benefits of 529 plans.
Are the Times A-Changin'?
As the election year rolls along, Americans are facing an uncertain future and an election that could be the harbinger of great change.
Estimate Your Estate
It is imperative to have an estate conservation strategy. Taking an inventory of your assets is a good place to start.
Surviving the Estate Tax with Survivorship Life
People who never imagined they would have enough assets to trigger estate taxes could be in for a surprise. One way to help plan for this possibility is by purchasing a survivorship life insurance policy.
It's Not as Bad as You Think
Economic indicators, including GDP, are signaling continued growth, but consumer confidence is lower than it's been in years. Why do these figures seem to be moving in opposite directions?
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June
What Does the Dollar Do for You?
Which is preferable, a strong dollar or a weak one?
No Better Time Than Now
You may not associate this time of year with reviewing the beneficiaries on your life insurance policy — nonetheless, it can be a good time to take this important step.
For Income, Pick Up This Split
A split-annuity strategy can help you begin receiving an income stream that has the potential to last well into the future.
Heir-Tight Estate Conservation
An incentive trust can help reinforce the lessons you taught your children during your life.
Population Boomer
The nearly 80 million boomers, who have reinvented so many aspects of American life, appear poised to leave their unique mark on retirement and possibly transform the economy in the process.
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May
Define Your Own Benefits
Everyone wants to be a happy retiree someday, but there's a big problem.
Where Will You Roll?
An IRA is not really an investment in itself, but rather a special type of account that can be invested in thousands of ways.
In a Category All Its Own
Since exchange-traded funds (ETFs) were first introduced in 1993, interest in them has grown steadily.
New Lease on Life
Can your risk-protection strategy benefit from a whole-life insurance policy?
Go Green, But with Care
Socially responsible investing has become a force to be reckoned with.
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April
Conserve Your Estate
Are your estate strategies up-to-date and ready for whatever legislative changes lie ahead?
Fuel for the Economy
The world has become so dependent on oil that most economies simply could not exist in their present forms without it.
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March
Should Your Portfolio Have a Conscience?
Socially responsible investing has been around at least since the 1960s, but it seems to be getting more attention lately.
Six Times More Likely
It may be uncomfortable to consider the possibility that you could become disabled; however, preparing for the possibility now could help you avoid some more serious discomfort later.
The World Is Your Oyster
If you want to expand your portfolio’s geographic boundaries, international mutual funds may be a good option.
The Consumer Price Index and You
Inflation is a long-term, sustained rise in the general level of prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Weather: It Matters
Weather is common fare for small talk, but it’s difficult to think of many topics that can have a bigger effect on economic activity.
Take Advantage of Temporary Tax Laws
A raft of favorable tax provisions are in effect right now, but you better act fast. Most of them are scheduled to expire within the next two years.
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February
A Grand New Contribution
If you were waiting for the day when you could sock away some serious dough in your individual retirement account, the time has arrived.
Mutual Fund Mastery
Test how much you know about one of the most popular investment vehicles.
Living Comes with Guarantees
Several types of living benefit guarantees are available that can provide valuable protection for variable annuity owners.
The Trouble with Timing
The speculation that drives market timing can often cause investors to get in right before a downturn or to flee before realizing potential gains.
Election Year Antics
As we enter a campaign cycle that is already unlike others we’ve seen, we can expect to see out-of-the-ordinary behavior by everyone from policymakers to Wall Street traders.
Retirement, Boomer Style
As the baby boomers leave the workforce for retirement, the nation is facing a shortage of workers to take their places. This demographic shift is expected to affect not only Social Security and Medicare, but the U.S. economy, as well.
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January
The Coming Retirement Boom
In 2008, a new era will dawn that economists and policymakers have been anticipating for years with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation: baby boomers will begin turning 62, ushering in an unprecedented long-term shift in the balance between working and retired Americans.
Betting Your Life on Low Coverage
If you are close to retiring or have already retired, you may be wondering whether your life insurance policy meets your current needs.
Regain Your Individuality
When employees leave their jobs, they have a choice to make: they can withdraw the money, leave the money in their former employers’ retirement accounts, or roll the money into another retirement plan.
You’ve Sold It: What’s Next?
If you are a business owner who is considering selling your enterprise soon, you may be able to reap even greater rewards by doing a little prep work now.
Inflation Could Make a Comeback
Inflation took a big jump in November, the largest monthly increase in two years. But it’s unusual for inflation to flare during an economic slowdown, and this odd pairing puts the Federal Reserve in a tough spot.
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December
Life Insurance Goes to College
Life insurance is usually thought of in terms of tragic outcomes, but if life goes as planned, you may still be able to use it to send your kids to college.
World of Opportunity
It may be tempting to think that investing at home is enough, but that kind of thinking misses opportunities that may be available through foreign investments.
Money and the Battle of the Sexes
When both spouses are informed about the household finances, it can reduce the potential for mistakes, misunderstandings, and lost opportunities.
Giving for the Greater Good
When you utilize a structured giving strategy, your efforts can help reap greater benefits for you, your heirs, and your favorite charity.
Oil's Above-Ground Problems
It used to be that the main concern about oil was finding enough of it in the ground to meet world demand. Despite dire predictions to the contrary, most experts believe that there is still plenty of oil in the ground. Why then has the price of oil doubled since 2004?
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November
Free to Retire
A variable annuity might provide a way to help you pursue your retirement goals if you don’t have the time required to develop a winning retirement strategy.
Lock in Today’s Tax Rates
If you expect that tax rates are going to increase, you might want to consider opening a Roth IRA.
Diversify and Conquer
If you dream of doing more in retirement than sipping lemonade in a rocking chair on the porch, you may want to consider the advantages of diversifying your portfolio.
Develop a Life Plan
An out-of-date estate conservation strategy is about as useful as none at all, but by updating your estate documents periodically, you can help protect the assets you wish to pass on to your heirs.
Poverty and the Modern Millionaire
Being a millionaire retiree has never really been the status quo – but now this amount may not be nearly enough to maintain even a modest retirement lifestyle.
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October
His and Her Uncertainty
By sharing information about each other’s plans and expectations for retirement, a couple may be able to avoid some common mistakes that could hamper their progress toward a comfortable retirement lifestyle.
The High Cost of Low Coverage
The cost of not carrying adequate life insurance could be far more expensive to surviving family members than the cost of the additional premiums.
Hand-Me-Down Dollars
Inheriting an IRA can be a great source of additional income, but the penalties for mismanaging one are severe.
Estimate the Cost of College
Determine how much needs to be saved annually so the youngsters in your family can afford college.
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