- HOT TOPIC: Monetary Policy: Should Investors Fear the Fed?
How the Federal Reserve Board’s actions influence interest rates, economic growth, and inflation.
- 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: After Rocky Year-End, Risks Follow Investors into 2019
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.
- HOT TOPIC: What Are the Costs of the Government Shutdown?
Explore the cost of the longest government shutdown in recent history, from its economic impact to its effect on public safety and services.
- HOT TOPIC: Keeping an Eye on Corporate Debt
This article looks at credit quality in the corporate bond market and the potential impact on fixed-income portfolios.
- HOT TOPIC: The Fed Hits the Brakes: No Rate Hikes Projected in 2019
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.
- Do You Need a Power of Attorney?
Explore three types of powers of attorney and find out how a living will can supplement a durable POA for health care.
- Taking a Team Approach to Retirement Savings
Even if you and your spouse have separate retirement accounts, you may still be able to craft a unified savings and investment strategy.
- ABLE Accounts for Disability Expenses
Explore ABLE account requirements and potential benefits, including new saving opportunities under the 2017 tax law.
- Need to Tap Your 401(k)? Proceed with Care
Explore an overview of rules and tax consequences for 401(k) plan hardship distributions and other early withdrawals.
- 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.
- Is a Roth 401(k) Right for You?
An overview of the potential benefits, limitations, and rules of Roth 401(k) accounts.
- Low-Volatility Strategies for a Less Stressful Ride
Some stocks and stock funds may help reduce the volatility in a portfolio.
- Community Property Laws: Yours, Mine, and Ours
Community property laws that apply in nine states and “equitable distribution” laws that apply in other states.
- Are Your Designated Heirs Up-to-Date?
The New Year might be a good time to review and update beneficiaries on estate documents, insurance policies, and financial accounts.
- IPOs: Consider the Risks Behind the Hype
Discover why it might be worth waiting for a record of financial results before investing in an initial public offering.
- Why Americans Are Eating Out Less Than Ever
Dining out is on the decline. Discover why Americans prepared about 82% of their meals and snacks at home in 2018.
- Looking Back, Looking Ahead
See the indicators economists rely on to understand the past, present, and potential future direction of the economy.
- Trusts Offer More Than Estate Tax Protection
Find out whether a testamentary trust, living trust, or special-purpose trust can benefit your family.
- Bridging the Gap Between Retirement and Medicare Eligibility
See three options that may help you bridge the health insurance coverage gap between retirement and Medicare eligibility.
- Consider a Customized Disability Policy
Review the potential benefits of an individual disability income policy vs. a group policy, as well as common riders.
- Getting Real About Retirement
This article features a worksheet and relevant information to help estimate retirement expenses and income.
- Know Your Mutual Funds
Millions of Americans own mutual funds. This overview can help you review the mix of funds you own.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Seeking Synergy: Why Mergers and Acquisitions Matter to Investors
Find out how and why mergers and acquisitions take place (and why they matter to investors).
- Technology Trend: How Blockchain Could Impact the Future
Businesses and governments are exploring blockchain applications as they seek to improve transparency, increase productivity, and reduce costs.
- Considering Preferreds? Proceed with Caution
Considering investing in preferred stocks? This overview examines the risks and potential benefits.
- Estate Taxes: Should a Trust Own Your Life Insurance?
An irrevocable life insurance trust can help pay estate taxes, but recent exemption level increases may warrant a new insurance strategy.
- Succession Plans Often Hinge on Reliable Valuation
Discover the role a reliable business valuation can play in succession, tax, and retirement planning.
- Clarifying Tax Deductions for Meals and Entertainment
Wondering if you can still write off 50% of the cost of business meals? Find out what is and isn’t deductible.
- Some Small Companies Facing Tariff Troubles
Small-business owners should watch for trade policy changes that could impact their products, supply chains, or competitors.
- A Business Plan Can Be Your Guide to Growth
A business plan can be an important step toward success. Here are some key components to consider.
- 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?
- 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.
