Newsletters

February

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• HOT TOPIC: How COVID-19 Has Changed Consumer Behavior and the Future of Retail

  This article looks at the “new normal,” its effect on consumer behavior and the retail industry, and what that could mean for the economy.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Income Investors May Find Closed-End Funds on Sale

  Do you know the differences between open-end and closed-end funds? This article compares the two.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• Passive, Active, or Both?

  Passively managed index funds and actively managed funds can perform differently over different market cycles. Find out more about each.

• 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.

• 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

• HOT TOPIC: Election 2020: Uncertainty Creates Potential for Market Swings

  A shift in the balance of power can strongly affect economic policies. View the presidential candidates’ tax proposals and other monetary policy positions.

• 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.

• 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.

• Investing in UITs

  A Unit Investment Trust is structured differently than a mutual fund or ETF. Could its unique features help you ladder your investments?

• 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.

• 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

• HOT TOPIC: The Bull Is Back... Will It Keep Charging?

  The S&P 500 index recently saw the fastest recovery in its history following the COVID-19 bear market, but will the surge continue?

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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?

August

• HOT TOPIC: College Disrupted: Students Face High Costs and Pandemic Impact

  Paying for college can mean borrowing money or risking savings. This article focuses on financial aid and the importance of informed academic choices.

• Debit or Credit? Pick a Card

  Do you know the differences between debit and credit cards? This article discusses both and when it might be better to use a credit card.

• Consider a Roth Conversion for Tax-Free Income

  Lower tax rates and asset values may make now the time to consider a Roth conversion. This article outlines the rules and potential benefits.

• Turbulent Times: Bear Markets Come and Go

  A look at the economic conditions that triggered the 2020 bear market and why investors may benefit from having a longer-term perspective.

• Indexed Annuities: A Strategy to Turn Savings into Retirement Income

  Explore the unique features and risks of indexed annuities and their potential role in investors’ retirement income strategies.

• Crisis Relief: Financial Lifelines for Affected Workers

  Temporary crisis relief legislation makes it easier to access retirement account funds and extends paid leave for workers at some small businesses.

July

• Mid-Year Is a Great Time to Fine-Tune Your Finances

  The middle of the year is an ideal time to revisit financial resolutions and consider steps that may help develop a stronger financial position.

• Four Questions on the Roth Five-Year Rule

  This article provides an overview of two versions of the Roth five-year rule and how they apply to various situations.

• Playing Defense: Three Stock Strategies to Help Control Risk

  This article outlines three defensive strategies that may help during economic downturns: low-volatility, dividends, and defensive sectors.

• The Beige Book: A Timely Economic Read

  The Federal Reserve’s “Beige Book” provides a broad overview of the economy that is often essential for making economic policy decisions.

• Quarterly Taxes: Deadlines Keep Coming for the Self-Employed

  If you are self-employed, do you know how to calculate quarterly estimated tax payments in order to avoid underpayment penalties?

June

• HOT TOPIC: Think Twice Before Speculating on a COVID-19 Cure

  This article discusses risks involved in developing treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, and why discoveries might not benefit investors.

• Managing Your Workplace Retirement Plan

  This article presents some steps employees can take to get the most out of their employer-sponsored retirement plans.

• Will vs. Trust: Know the Difference

  Wills and trusts can each help in the distribution of assets at death. This article points out important differences between the two.

• Why You Might Need Disability Income Insurance

  This article explains how an individual disability income insurance policy can help provide income if a disability leaves you unable to work.

• Do ETFs Belong in Your Portfolio?

  Do you know the potential benefits and risks of exchange-traded funds and how they differ from mutual funds?

• SECURE Act Changes That Matter to Small Employers

  The SECURE Act could make it easier and more affordable for business owners to provide retirement plans and help their employees save for retirement.

May

• Keeping Cool: Investment Strategy vs. Reaction

  This article offers ideas to help investors focus on strategic decisions rather than react emotionally to the latest market news or movements.

• Social Security May Offer a Lifetime of Protection

  This article provides an overview of four times other than retirement when Social Security might affect you or your family.

• The Cost of Family Caregiving

  A look at the financial, emotional, and physical costs of family caregiving with some helpful suggestions for caregivers.

• Three Life Insurance Strategies for Small Businesses

  This article explores how life insurance might help small businesses attract and retain talent or fund buy-sell agreements.

• Telemedicine: The Virtual Doctor Will See You Now

  Many large employers offer telemedicine programs in their benefit packages. Do you know the potential advantages of telemedicine?

April

• Setting a Retirement Savings Goal

  This article features a worksheet to help you estimate the savings you might need to generate your desired retirement income.

• Looking for Value with P/E Ratios

  Discover the basics of P/E ratios, with an emphasis on analyzing them in the appropriate context for making meaningful comparisons.

• Early Retirement and Your Tax-Deferred Savings

  Find out how the rules for early-distribution penalty exceptions differ for withdrawals from traditional IRAs and employer-sponsored plans.

• Living Benefits Can Help Counter Retirement Risks

  Optional riders that add living benefits to annuities might help retirees address two financial risks: outliving their savings and paying for long-term care.

• Don’t Let a Disaster Keep the Lights Off Forever

  As a small-business owner, do you know the types of coverages that may or may not be included in a standard business owner policy?