Newsletters

Fourty-seven percent of American workers have saved less than $25,000 for retirement, and 24% have saved less than $1,000.¹
Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2017

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.

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• 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

  HOT TOPIC: The Shape of Economic Recovery
  This article looks at the potential shape of the COVID-19 economic recovery with some historical context and key factors that may affect the direction of the economy.

  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?

• March

  Stay-at-Home Spouse? Consider a Spousal IRA
  Stay-at-home spouses can fall behind in saving for retirement. This article explains how a spousal IRA can help keep retirement savings on track.

  Three Lessons from Retirees
  A survey of workers and retirees yielded three key findings that may prove helpful in planning for retirement. Find out more.

  Five Red Flags That Raise the Odds of an Audit
  Ever wonder why the IRS might take a closer look at a taxpayer’s return? This article discusses different types of audits and what might trigger one.

  Behavioral Biases That Can Lead to Costly Mistakes
  Learn about six blind spots that can lead to regrettable portfolio decisions (and how investors might avoid them).

  Classifying Workers: Know the Rules and Risks
  This article explores the complex web of federal and state tax and employment laws that determine how businesses must classify workers.

• 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.