Newsletters

February

• HOT TOPIC: The SECURE Act and Your Retirement Savings

  A discussion of the important provisions in the SECURE Act that could affect retirement, tax, and estate planning strategies.

• Three Generations of Retirement Strategies

  Millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers face different challenges in pursuing retirement goals. This article offers strategies to help address them.

• Do Target-Date Funds Hit the Bull’s-Eye for You?

  More than half of 401(k) participants invest in target-date funds, but are they right for everyone? This article provides an overview.

• Retirement Savings: Traditional, Roth, or Both?

  How does a traditional or Roth structure affect your IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan? And what do their differences mean for older workers?

• Municipal Bonds

  Tax changes in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act affect some investors more than others, with implications that spill into the municipal bond market.

• What Is Cyber Insurance, and Do You Need It?

  Cyber attacks and loss of data can be devastating, so businesses should be proactive about addressing this risk.

January

• HOT TOPIC: Two Trade Agreements Offer Optimism, But Uncertainty Remains

  A look at the U.S.-China “skinny” trade deal and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and their potential impact on consumers and the U.S. economy.

• Give and Receive with a Charitable Remainder Trust

  Discover how to give a substantial gift to a favorite charity while receiving a flow of income during your lifetime.

• Running with the Dogs

  See how the Dogs of the Dow, an investing strategy known for chasing dividends and value, can be implemented through a unit investment trust.

• Rain, Sleet, Snow — and Lawsuits?

  Icy winter walkways can lead to injuries and lawsuits. Find out how an umbrella policy can offer higher liability coverage.

• Business or Hobby? It’s All About Taxes

  The difference between a money-losing business and a hobby matters at tax time. This article presents IRS criteria for making the distinction.

• Is It Time to Step Up Your Digital Marketing?

  Now that 28% of Americans report being online “almost constantly,” could digital marketing be a cost-effective way to attract new customers?

December

• Hot Topic: The Ag Economy: Tough Times for Farmers in 2019

  Farm bankruptcies rose in 2019, despite billions in federal support. This article discusses the effect on rural communities and regional economies.

• Online Shopping Tips

  As web-based retail sales continue to grow, these tips may help ensure a safer online shopping experience.

• What’s Required of the Executor of an Estate?

  Being named the executor of an estate can be an honor, but this overview shows why it can also be a difficult and time-consuming job.

• Prices and the Economy

  Low inflation may seem like good news, but it has a darker side. See which factors might be driving down inflation in the United States.

• Qualified Charitable Distributions

  Discover how qualified charitable distributions work and why they may now be more valuable than taking a tax deduction.

• A New Option for Providing Health Coverage in 2020

  Learn more about Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements and how they may help small businesses offer employee health coverage.

November

• HOT TOPIC: Manufacturing Slowdown. . .What Does It Mean for the Economy?

  This article looks at some of the reasons behind the manufacturing slowdown and what it might mean for the broader U.S. economy.

• Three Regrets of Retirees

  More than half of retirees surveyed had retirement planning regrets. Explore the three most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

• Medicare Open Enrollment

  This article explains the changes that Medicare beneficiaries can make during the annual open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.

• Closed-End Funds May Offer Higher Income

  Discover why closed-end funds may offer potentially higher income streams than traditional mutual funds holding similar securities.

• Taming Investment Taxes

  Do you know how investments are taxed and which strategies can help improve a portfolio’s tax efficiency?

• Retirement Plans for the Self-Employed Dangle Tax Benefits

  Solo 401(k) plans and SEP IRAs may help small-business owners and the self-employed shelter more income from taxes and save for the future.

October

• HOT TOPIC: Could a Health Savings Account Help Strengthen Your Retirement Plan?

  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.

• Protection to Help Your Family

  Explore the benefits of individual life insurance versus work-based coverage, and compare term and permanent policies.

• Five Money Issues to Talk About Before the Wedding

  Before saying “I do,” newly-engaged couples may want to discuss these five key financial topics.

• What Medicare Won’t Cover

  See potentially expensive services Original Medicare doesn’t cover and how Medicare Advantage, Medigap or private insurance might help.

• Index Update: Shifting Sectors Reflect Social Change

  How do recent classification changes reflect shifts in the telecommunications sector, and what does that mean to investors?

• Coping with a Labor Shortage

  As small businesses struggle to recruit and retain employees in a tight job market, these tips may help owners meet staffing needs.

September

• HOT TOPIC: Upside Down: What Does the Yield Curve Suggest About Growth?

  An inverted yield curve can be an economic indicator along with other factors that contribute to an uncertain outlook for future growth.

• Sticker Shock May Drive Consumers to Used Cars

  As new car prices skyrocket, these three trends could make 2019 a good year to buy a three-year-old vehicle.

• Risk Tolerance: Stress-Test Your Portfolio…and Yourself

  Do you know your personal tolerance for market risk? Here are three key questions that may help you find out.

• Steps to Help Lower Capital Gains Taxes

  Discover how the step-up in basis provision may help reduce capital gains taxes and preserve the value of assets left to heirs.

• Life Insurance Strategies: Reasons Empty Nesters May Want Permanent Coverage

  As policyholders age, life insurance could help supplement retirement income, support a surviving spouse, and/or leave a legacy.

• Could Employee Ownership Be Part of Your Succession Plan?

  An employee stock ownership plan may be a tax-friendly way for retiring small-business owners to pass the reins to employees.

August

• Caught in the Middle: The Sandwich Generation

  Tips to help balance the competing demands of saving for retirement and providing financial support to adult children and aging parents.

• Consider REITs for Income and Diversification

  Explore the basics of equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) including their potential benefits and risks.

• Life Insurance with Long-Term Care Benefits

  Concerned about the costs of long-term care? Discover two strategies that combine life insurance coverage with LTC benefits.

• Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts (QLACs)

  Worried your retirement might outlast your savings? A qualified longevity annuity contract could provide an income stream later in life.

• A Quick and Dirty Guide to Credit

  Learn about four financing options that might help small businesses expand, pursue new opportunities, or cover operating expenses.

July

• Seeking Balance in a Mutual Fund

  Balancing stocks and bonds can be a central part of building an investment portfolio. Find out how balanced funds follow a similar strategy.

• What’s the Real Return on Your Investments?

  Tax rates, interest rates, and inflation can all cut into the value of investment dollars. This article looks at real return on investments.

• Indexed Annuities: Growth Potential with Downside Protection

  Discover how indexed annuities work, including the risks and potential benefits of purchasing an indexed annuity contract.

• New Study Finds Widespread Job Loss After 50

  A job loss after age 50 can carry serious consequences. These tips may help you prepare professionally and financially for a late-career challenge.

• Calculating Key Financial Ratios

  The financial ratios that help measure an organization’s performance may also be used by potential lenders and investors. Learn more.

June

• A Steady Strategy in Turbulent Times

  Dollar-cost averaging can help investors focus on building their portfolios through regular investing rather than reacting to market swings.

• College Savings: Roth or 529 Plan?

  Can a Roth IRA double as a college savings tool? Find out how a Roth IRA compares with state-based 529 college savings plans.

• Avoiding Probate with a Transfer-on-Death Deed

  Many U.S. states offer a way to avoid probate when leaving the family home to your heirs. Learn more about transfer-on-death deeds.

• Interest Rates and the Economy

  Do you know which factors influence bond yields and why the gap between short- and long-term yields is often viewed as an economic indicator?

• Steps to Executing an Exit Strategy

  Monetizing a closely held business can be a difficult process, so owners may want to plan an exit strategy before they really need one.

May

• Bonds Can Offer Stability Even with Rising Rates

  Explore three major categories of bonds, plus ideas for navigating the bond market amid climbing interest rates.

• SRI Investing: Not Just for Stocks

  Find out how individual impact bonds may allow investors to preserve principal and generate income while supporting activities that are important to them.

• Be Aware of Observation Care

  Covered by Medicare? Discover how observation status can impact your out-of-pocket costs and eligibility for post-hospital skilled nursing facility coverage.

• Retirement Planning: How Secure Is Social Security?

  View Social Security’s financial outlook, plus seven proposed fixes for a looming shortfall that may affect future benefits.

• Watch Out for Scams That Target Businesses

  Financial scams aimed at businesses are on the rise. See which potentially costly schemes owners and employees need to look out for.

April

• 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.

• 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.

• Trusts Offer More Than Estate Tax Protection

  Find out whether a testamentary trust, living trust, or special-purpose trust can benefit your family.

• Considering Preferreds? Proceed with Caution

  Considering investing in preferred stocks? This overview examines the risks and potential benefits.

• 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.