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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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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July
HOT TOPIC: Buffett Takes a Bow: 7 Lessons from an Iconic Investor
At age 94, Warren Buffett recently announced his retirement as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. This article focuses on investment fundamentals as well as tips and quotes from the famous investor.
Will You Pay a Medicare Surcharge?
The standard monthly Part B premium is $185 in 2025, but premiums for both Part B and Part D can vary based on income levels.
Fine-Tuning with Sector Funds
The stocks in the S&P 500 are classified by 11 sectors, each of which responds differently to market conditions.
Peer-to-Peer Payments Are Popular, but Be Careful
Making a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment is a convenient way to transfer money to family, friends, or businesses — these precautions can help avoid costly mistakes.
Individual Bonds vs. Bond Funds: What’s the Difference?
Individual bonds and bond funds can both provide an income stream, but there are important differences.
Important Tax Breaks for Pass-Through Businesses
Some owners of pass-through businesses may be able to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income and/or take generous deductions for investing in qualified property.
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June
HOT TOPIC: Moody’s Downgraded U.S. Debt — Does It Matter?
On May 16, 2025, Moody’s Ratings downgraded U.S. government debt from its highest rating of Aaa to Aa1. This article looks at the reasons for the downgrade and its potential effects.
Versatile 529 Plans Can Help with More than Just College
529 plans were originally created to save for college, but Congress has expanded the ways these plans can be used, making them a more flexible and versatile savings vehicle.
Life Insurance in Retirement
Life insurance might not seem necessary for retirees or those close to retirement, but there are situations where coverage may make sense.
Catch Up for a More Comfortable Retirement
Only a third of U.S. workers age 50 and older feel they are on track to enjoy a comfortable retirement, but there are opportunities to build substantial savings late in a working career.
Look Out for Observation Care
The use of observation care, during which a patient may be in a hospital room with hospital services but is not officially admitted, has raised concerns for both patients and providers.
Convertible Bonds Straddle the Line Between Fixed Income and Potential Growth
A convertible bond is a regular corporate bond that comes with a special added feature: the investor has the right to convert it into shares of that company’s common stock.
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May
HOT TOPIC: Tariffs Drive Market Volatility
This article explains why tariffs have shaken the markets and provides an overview of long-term trends that may help investors put the current volatility in perspective.
ETFs Are Closing the Gap with Mutual Funds
Investor demand for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has increased rapidly over the last decade due to attractive features that set them apart from mutual funds.
Debt After Death: What Happens to Debt When Someone Dies?
This article provides an overview of how debts are settled after the death of a loved one.
Playing Fair: New Consumer Protections for Airline Passengers
Thanks to a new federal law and rules issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, airline passengers could have extra consumer protections.
QLACs: Your Retirement Accounts Can Act Like Pensions
With a qualified longevity annuity contract, or QLAC, a retiring worker can use a portion of their tax-deferred savings to set up a lifetime income stream that begins at an older age.
Concerned About Cyberattacks? The Threat Is Real
Small businesses that handle potentially sensitive information about customers, employees, or competitors should be proactive about addressing this risk.
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April
HOT TOPIC: Tariff Turmoil: The Makings of a Stock Market Correction
On March 13, 2025, the S&P 500 Index landed in correction territory after a swift drop. An escalating trade war and signs of a slowing economy have unsettled the financial markets.
Are You Missing the Bull’s-Eye with a Target-Date Fund?
Two out of three 401(k) participants have assets in a target-date fund, but many may not fully understand how these “all-in-one” funds work.
Breaking Down the Numbers: The Soaring U.S. National Debt
As of March 2025, the U.S. national debt was a record $36.21 trillion, while the 2024 deficit of $1.83 trillion was the third-highest on record.
Cancer Happens: Insurance Can Help Fortify Your Finances
Although it’s scary to consider the possibility of a cancer diagnosis, it might be helpful to prepare for the financial implications.
Traditional or Roth Contributions? Think It Through for Future You
When a workplace retirement plan offers both Traditional and Roth accounts, it may help to understand their key features and distinctions.
The Four-Day Workweek: Is It Destiny or a Distant Dream?
Wider use of artificial intelligence is one reason that the prospect of a four-day workweek (with no loss in pay) is now being taken seriously by companies around the world.
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