- A Map to Guide Your Family
A letter of instruction could be just as important as a will to help heirs settle an estate and move forward with their lives.
- An Affordable Insurance Solution
A new term life insurance policy can be quite expensive as people age. Survivorship life insurance may be a more cost-effective solution.
- Choosing and Using a College Checking Account
Some tips for parents and college students to consider, whether opening a new checking account or using an old one.
- Community Property Laws: Yours, Mine, and Ours
Community property laws that apply in nine states and “equitable distribution” laws that apply in other states.
- Competing Goals: Pay Off Student Loans or Save for Retirement?
Some college grads pay off student loans at the expense of saving for the future. See steps that may help them do both.
- Dealing with Divorce
Some considerations for a divorcing couple who are dividing marital assets, such as retirement accounts, and filing for Social Security.
- Equity REITs and Rising Rates
Fundamental factors that can affect the short- and longer-term performance of equity REITs, including taxation of REIT shares.
- ETFs on the Rise
ETFs have some attractive features that set them apart from mutual funds, but there are also cost and risk factors to consider.
- Family Limited Partnerships for Estate Planning Purposes
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.
- Good News, Bad News for Boomer Retirement
Younger baby boomers may be facing a more challenging retirement landscape than older members of the generation, according a recent survey.
- Health Savings Account: Funding an HSA Could Help You Prepare for Retirement
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.
- Help with College: A Gift for Your Grandkids
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.
- HOT TOPIC — Pain at the Pump: Why Does It Cost More to Fill Your Tank?
A look at the relationship between oil and gas prices, and how global factors have driven up prices at U.S. fuel pumps.
- HOT TOPIC — U.S. Fiscal Issues: Larger Deficits Are Driving Up Debt
Why federal budget deficits are rising, and what the current fiscal situation could mean for the future of the U.S. economy.
- HOT TOPIC: Bear in the Woods: Emerging Markets Credit Crisis
Looks at some of the reasons behind the big declines in emerging markets, and how these developing economies might affect U.S. investors.
- HOT TOPIC: Blockchain Buzz: Emerging Tech Offers Potential, Not Promises
A glimpse into how blockchain might impact businesses, and a warning for investors to heed the risks associated with blockchain investments.
- HOT TOPIC: Consumer Nation: Can Confidence Drive the Economy?
A look at what’s driving the high consumer confidence level and the importance of consumer spending to the broader economy.
- HOT TOPIC: Monetary Policy: Should Investors Fear the Fed?
How the Federal Reserve Board’s actions influence interest rates, economic growth, and inflation.
- Indexed Annuities: Potential Gain with Some Downside Protection
Indexed annuities offer potential for gain when the market is rising while helping to protect principal during a downturn. But they are not appropriate for every investor.
- Inflation Protection for Investment Dollars
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) can help hedge a bond portfolio against a potential spike in inflation.
- Insurance Strategies: Giving Old Life Insurance a New Purpose
A 1035 exchange may allow a permanent life policy to be traded for a more suitable insurance product.
- Insurance with Potential Cash Value
Universal life and variable universal life insurance have risks and potential benefits, including a death benefit with a tax-advantaged savings element.
- Is a Roth 401(k) Right for You?
An overview of the potential benefits, limitations, and rules of Roth 401(k) accounts.
- Key Tax Breaks for Business Owners
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.
- Know Your Mutual Funds
Millions of Americans own mutual funds. This overview can help you review the mix of funds you own.
- Low-Volatility Strategies for a Less Stressful Ride
Some stocks and stock funds may help reduce the volatility in a portfolio.
- Making Sense of Bond Behavior
Some strategies to help fixed-income portfolios weather a period of interest rate uncertainty.
- New Tax Law Expands 529 Savings Plans
An overview of Section 529 savings plans, including their traditional use for college saving and the new rules for K-12 tuition.
- Oil Prices and the Economy
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.
- Reviewing Business Structure in Light of Tax Changes
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.
- Reward Workers and Fund Retirement with a Cash Balance Plan
Cash balance plans can be a powerful tool for employee recruitment and retention, plus they have generous contribution limits that increase with age.
- Risk Tolerance Is About You, Not the Market
An investor’s personal situation should be considered when assessing his or her risk tolerance.
- Seven Classic Investing Quotes
Seven classic quotes about investing from successful investors, economists, and other insightful thinkers.
- Social Security 101
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.
- Two Technology Trends to Help Power Growth
Cloud computing functions could help small companies increase productivity with smaller up-front costs.
- Weighing a Wider Range of Health Plan Options
Association health plans may enable small businesses to save money, but how do AHPs compare to small-group health insurance?
