Newsletters
Fourty-seven percent of American workers have saved less than $25,000 for retirement, and 24% have saved less than $1,000.1
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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July
HOT TOPIC: Social Security and Medicare: The Clock Is Ticking
According to this year’s Trustees report, Social Security recipients might face a benefit cut in 2034 unless Congress acts soon to strengthen the program.
Locked Out? How to Break Into Today’s Housing Market
Homeownership can still be an attainable goal, but it may take more planning, flexibility, and creativity than it did in the past.
What Is Value Investing?
At the heart of a value investing strategy is viewing the purchase of stock shares as becoming a part owner of a company.
Midyear Checkup: Can You Contribute More to Your Retirement Plan?
With traditional pensions in decline, it’s up to the individual employee to build retirement savings in a work-based account.
Taxing Social Security Benefits: Clearing the Confusion
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act did not change the rules for taxing Social Security benefits, but it did create a new deduction for seniors that could help reduce their tax burden.
Teens Say Social Media Takes a Toll on Mental Health
Many parents are concerned about the well-being of their children as they navigate the digital landscape.
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June
HOT TOPIC: Pressure at the Pump: Will High Gas Prices Shake the U.S. Economy?
This article looks at why gas is so expensive, what it might take to stop the upward trend, and the potential effect of high gas prices on consumers and the broader economy.
REITs Offer Income and Diversification
Most broad stock funds contain real estate investment trusts (REITs), but for a more strategic approach, investors can choose from a variety of REIT funds and individual REITs.
What Is Asset-Based LTCI?
Hybrid long-term care insurance policies, also known as asset-based plans, combine the benefit of a life insurance policy or an annuity with the availability of long-term care benefits.
What Can You Learn from Your Tax Return?
Tax season may be over, but a completed tax return offers information that can help with financial strategy for the rest of the year.
Variable Annuities: Strategies to Help Counter Retirement Risks
Unlike retirement accounts, there are no federal contribution limits for variable annuities, and the investment gains won’t be taxed until they are withdrawn.
Goodbye Passwords, Hello Passkeys
As major tech companies, apps, and websites make passkeys their default security option, it’s likely you’ll be prompted to set them up to help secure your accounts.
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May
HOT TOPIC: Trade Update: The Supreme Court Stepped In, but Many Tariffs Stand
This article explains the types of tariffs that are still in play and their potential impact on U.S. consumers and businesses.
Be Storm Smart: How to Prepare for Extreme Weather
More than a quarter of U.S. homes are exposed to severe or extreme weather risk. While homeowners can’t control the forecast, they can take proactive steps to prepare.
The Evolution of Retirement Savings
The retirement savings landscape has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. How might these developments affect tomorrow’s retirees?
Don’t Overlook the Value of Social Security Survivor Benefits
While life insurance might play a central role after the death of a financial provider, Social Security could also offer another important source of income for survivors.
The Corporate World Is All-In on AI
As the race among large tech companies to monetize AI hits full throttle, it’s worth considering how adoption of AI-enabled technologies might affect the economic prospects of businesses and workers.
Online Shopping in the Tariff Era
Even small online purchases that are shipped from outside the United States must now pass through customs — and are likely to incur duties.
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April
HOT TOPIC: The Iran War, the Economy, and Your Portfolio
This article looks at the economic impact of the war with Iran, including rising oil and gas prices and the potential effects on inflation, investments, and the broader economy.
Foreign Stocks Outperformed in 2025
Although U.S. stocks have provided a higher return over the past 20 years, foreign stocks outperformed in seven of those years, including 2025.
Medicare or Medicaid?
It’s easy to confuse Medicare and Medicaid, but there are important differences between the programs.
New Auto Loan Interest Deduction Explained
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) provides an annual deduction of up to $10,000 for interest paid on qualifying new auto loans, effective for tax years 2025 through 2028.
Small Business: Coping with the End of De Minimis Imports
Small businesses must now pay duties on low-value goods they could previously source inexpensively from China and elsewhere.
Is Your Dream Kitchen a Good Investment?
Considering the potential return on investment before taking on home improvement projects can help homeowners make cost-effective decisions.
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March
HOT TOPIC: What Does a Weaker U.S. Dollar Mean for Your Money?
Consumers and investors might want to consider how the depreciating dollar could impact the economy and their own finances.
No More Groundhog Day for Your Finances: Time for a Financial Wellness Checkup
Financial habits can repeat themselves, month after month and year after year, until we consciously break the pattern.
Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2026
This article provides 2026 contribution limits for retirement plans and various tax deduction, exclusion, exemption, and threshold amounts.
Wealthy Colleges Face Expanded Endowment Tax
A new tiered tax rate on the endowments of wealthy colleges and universities could affect spending on financial aid, research, and other college programs.
A Roadmap for Your Family
A letter of instruction could be just as important as a will in helping loved ones settle an estate and move forward with their lives.
Could an HSA Strengthen Your Retirement Strategy?
After age 65, retirees can use HSA funds for any purpose without incurring a penalty.
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February
HOT TOPIC: Geopolitics and the U.S. Financial Markets
This article looks at market reactions to previous global conflicts and emphasizes that long-term market movements are generally driven by corporate earnings, interest rates, and the broader economy.
Keeping Cool in Volatile Markets
Overreacting to market movements or trying to “time the market” by guessing its future direction can create additional risk that could negatively affect long-term portfolio performance.
Q&A on RMDs
Here are answers to some key questions about required minimum distributions.
Don’t Take the Bait: Top Tax Scams in 2025
As tax filing season approaches, the IRS warns taxpayers to watch for scams that can cause identity theft, financial loss, or criminal penalties.
Retroactive Social Security Benefits: A Chance to Turn Back Time
Beneficiaries who postpone claiming Social Security past full retirement age have the option of receiving a lump-sum payment for up to six months of benefits when they finally apply.
Location, Location, Location: The Premium Parents Pay for Top Schools
Homes in neighborhoods with access to top schools tend to cost significantly more than a typical home in the surrounding area.
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November
HOT TOPIC: Will Tax Law Changes Impact Your Giving Strategy?
New tax rules will determine the deductibility of donations in 2026 for better or worse, which means taxpayers may want to rethink the timing and amount of their donations for 2025 and beyond.
Are You Prepared for the High Cost of Dying?
End-of-life care and the death of a loved one not only carry an emotional price tag, but they often impose a substantial financial strain on families.
What Happens to Your Time Horizon at Retirement?
When entering retirement, investment strategy typically shifts from a single, goal-based fixed time horizon to a multilayered, interrelated series of time periods.
Navigating Medicare Open Enrollment
The Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7 and allows various changes related to Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Prescription Drug plans.
Consider Roth for Tax-Free Income
Roth accounts offer no current-year tax benefit, but they can provide tax-free retirement income.
Avoiding Probate with a TOD Deed and TOD Account
In many states, a transfer-on-death (TOD) deed and/or account can help avoid probate without the cost and complexity of a trust.
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October
HOT TOPIC: The Fed Lowers Rates in an Economic Balancing Act
This article looks at the Fed’s dilemma in setting monetary policy to address slowing employment with rising inflation, and the potential effects of lower rates on businesses and consumers.
Life Insurance Might Help During Turbulent Economic Times
During periods of economic uncertainty and stock market volatility, life insurance may be a useful tool to consider.
How Has SECURE 2.0 Affected 401(k) Plans?
The SECURE 2.0 Act introduced new features designed to make 401(k)s even more appealing to workers.
Three Ways to Help Build Financial Resilience
Here are some steps to help handle challenging times and potentially emerge even stronger.
Could Employee Ownership Be Part of Your Succession Plan?
An employee stock ownership plan is a qualified retirement plan that enables a business owner to gradually transfer ownership shares to employees, setting up opportunities to cash out in the future.
Grocery Games: Strategies to Help Stretch Your Food Budget
Food prices have risen more than 22% since the beginning of 2020, but shopping strategically might help households spend less on groceries.
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