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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HOT TOPIC: Hostage Data: Ransomware and Protecting Your Digital Information
This article provides an overview of high-profile ransomware attacks and offers tips to help consumers protect their own data.
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Considerations When Making Gifts to Children
This article provides an overview of tax provisions and other issues to consider when making significant gifts to children or grandchildren.
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A Steady Strategy
Discover how dollar-cost averaging may help alleviate some market concerns by making regular investments regardless of market movements.
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Stock Market Risks in the Spotlight
Find out how inflation and interest-rate fears, regulatory or legislative action, and other factors could influence stock prices in 2021.
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Bankruptcy Changes Throw a Lifeline to Sinking Small Businesses
Many requirements that made it difficult and expensive for small businesses to reorganize using Chapter 11 have been loosened. Learn more.
June
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HOT TOPIC: Shortages and Bottlenecks Expose Weak Links in U.S. Supply Chains
As a consumer, have you noticed shortages? Here are some of the reasons behind supply-chain problems and how they might impact the economy.
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New Changes to College Financial Aid and Education Tax Benefits
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, included several provisions affecting financial aid and education. Learn more.
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How Well Do You Understand Retirement Plan Rules?
From IRAs to 401(k)s, qualified retirement plans can be complex. This short quiz tests readers’ knowledge of a few of the finer points.
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Is the Medicare Donut Hole Really Closed?
This article explains the four stages of Part D prescription drug coverage and how prices can vary in the coverage gap.
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Corporate Debt: Are Juicier Yields Worth the Extra Risk?
This article discusses corporate credit ratings and some differences between investment-grade and speculative-grade bonds.
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Your Business: New Rules for Writing Off Restaurant Meals
The December 2020 stimulus bill lets businesses deduct the full cost of restaurant meals in tax years 2021 and 2022. Get the details.
May
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HOT TOPIC: Rising Inflation: Where Will It Go from Here?
Read about the causes of the recent inflationary trend. Does it represent a short-term phase or the start of a longer-term acceleration in prices?
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Your Business: Minimum-Wage Laws in the Spotlight
As more states increase the minimum wage, small businesses may start feeling the economic impact. Read this article for some coping tips.
March
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HOT TOPIC: GameStop, Reddit, and Market Mania: What Happened?
Learn the story behind the extreme volatility of “meme” stocks promoted through social media, including the risk for individual investors.
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Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2021
IRS cost-of-living adjustments affect retirement plan contribution limits and certain tax considerations. Explore these 2021 adjustments.
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Are Value Stocks Poised for a Comeback?
Do you know the differences between growth and value stocks? Find out why value stocks may hold appeal during the economic recovery.
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Asset Protection: Make Sure Your Umbrella Is Big Enough
While standard home and auto insurance may cover personal liability, a personal umbrella policy can help add an extra layer of protection.
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Is Your Home Office Also a Tax Shelter?
This article explains which taxpayers are eligible for the home office deduction and describes the two methods used to calculate it.
February
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HOT TOPIC: Pandemic Relief Measures and Your Tax Return
This article discusses various tax issues stemming from the two tax relief bills passed in 2020 in response to the pandemic and how they may affect you.
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Sequence Risk: Preparing to Retire in a Down Market
This article offers a strategy that may help address sequence risk — the danger of poor investment performance at the outset of retirement.
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Watch Out for These Financial Pitfalls in the New Year
Financial opportunities and potential pitfalls can appear at any time. Here are common money mistakes to avoid at various stages of life.
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New Fed Policy Suggests Low Rates for the Long Term
The Fed now seeks to control inflation through the benchmark federal funds rate. Find out what this means for investors and consumers.
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When You Can’t Speak for Yourself
Discover how a living will and durable powers of attorney for health care and finances can help ensure your wishes are carried out.
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Big Data for Smaller Players
Read how small businesses use software services to help streamline operations, understand customers, optimize websites, and find new markets.
January
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HOT TOPIC: Revisiting the 4% Rule
For years, the “4% rule” helped retirees make their savings last, but now a more aggressive withdrawal strategy might be the new norm.
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Five Tips to Regain Your Retirement Savings Focus in 2021
This article presents five steps that could help focus and enhance a retirement savings strategy in 2021.
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Money Market Funds in a Low Rate Environment
Did you know there still may be reasons to hold money market mutual funds despite low yields? Read this article to find out more.
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Prepare Your Finances for the Next Emergency
The pandemic has underscored the importance of a well-stocked emergency fund. This article offers tips for building up a cash reserve.
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Gift vs. Inheritance: Consider the Tax Difference
When deciding whether to gift assets now or transfer them to heirs at death, you need to understand step-up in basis and tax consequences.
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Take Advantage of Deductions for Business Investments
A look at bonus depreciation and Section 179, plus CARES Act changes that may benefit companies that reconfigured spaces for safety reasons.
December
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Should You Pay Off Student Loans Early or Save More for Retirement?
Wondering whether you should pay off student loan debt today or save for the future? Here are some considerations to help make the decision.
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Putting Your Nest Egg in Three Baskets
Find out how understanding sequence-of-returns risk could help you develop a three-prong distribution strategy for retirement.
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Full House: Adult Children Coming Home
If your adult children have returned to your once-empty nest, these tips might help promote a peaceful and productive living situation.
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Your Business: Could You Benefit from a Roth Conversion in 2020?
This article focuses on the potential short- and long-term tax ramifications of a Roth IRA conversion.
November
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Five Investment Tasks to Tackle by Year-End
2020 market turbulence underscores the importance of reviewing an investment portfolio. These five steps could help keep it on track.
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Three Questions to Consider During Open Enrollment
Making benefit elections for next year? This article covers three key areas that require careful consideration during open enrollment.
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Passive, Active, or Both?
Passively managed index funds and actively managed funds can perform differently over different market cycles. Find out more about each.
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Your Estate: Have You Looked at These Legal Documents Lately?
This article looks at documents that should be kept up to date, including wills, trusts, advance medical directives, and beneficiary forms.
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Four Steps to Rebuilding Your Business
Small-business owners may need to think on their feet and visualize what a recovery might look like for their operations post COVID-19.
October
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Return of Premium Life Insurance: Protection and Cash Back
This article provides an overview of the pros and cons of a type of term policy – return of premium life insurance.
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Accumulating Funds for Short-Term Goals
Saving for short-term goals can require a conservative approach. This article explores some guidelines and potential investment vehicles.
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Business Cycle Basics: Recessions Begin and End Before We Know It
This article discusses how economists identify and measure economic contractions and compares some characteristics of past recessions.
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Insurance to Help Protect Your Business from Lawsuits
Some businesses are exposed to risks that may call for a specialized type of liability policy. Does your business have appropriate coverage?
September
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Could You Be Responsible for Your Parents’ Nursing Home Bills?
Filial responsibility laws can hold children responsible for certain parental debts. This potential liability is one reason to plan for long-term care needs.
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Survivor Benefits Provide a Financial Lifeline
Decisions made when claiming Social Security retirement benefits can make a big difference in spousal and other dependents’ survivor benefits.
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Consider Market Caps for Diversification
2020’s market volatility combined with holding stock in different-sized companies might help you diversify your equity portfolio at a discount.
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Student Loan Stress? These Plans Might Help
This article outlines the basic provisions of income-driven repayment plans that can help reduce the burden of federal student loans.
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Why Family Businesses Should Have Succession Plans
Do you know the reasons why business owners might need to take the time to develop a thoughtful succession plan?