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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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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January
HOT TOPIC: AI Expectations Underpin the Economic Outlook for 2026
This article discusses economic forecasts for 2026 and the trends that are influencing them, including surging AI investment.
Key Tax Law Changes to Higher Education Coming Soon
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes many provisions that affect higher education.
Strategies for Smarter Giving
In addition to advancing philanthropic goals, strategic charitable donations may offer tax advantages.
Surprise! It’s Retirement Time
Considering some important issues now could provide more options in the event of early retirement.
Tips to Help Preserve Your Inheritance
It’s important for heirs to consider how a windfall might be used to strengthen their finances now and over the long term.
Cash Balance Plans Help Some Business Owners Supersize Retirement Savings
These plans have generous contribution limits that increase with age, which may allow high-income business owners to catch up on retirement savings and significantly reduce their taxable incomes.
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December
HOT TOPIC: The Shutdown is Over: What Now?
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history ended on November 12, 2025. This article looks at the bill that ended the shutdown, issues that are unresolved, and estimates of the economic impact.
Balancing Life in the Sandwich Generation
The day-to-day demands of supporting multiple generations can take a toll, but planning and support might help achieve a workable balance.
Beneficiary Designations: Who Gets the Money?
It’s a good idea to regularly review beneficiary designations to be sure they are complete and reflect current wishes.
Closed-End Funds May Offer Higher Income
Closed-end funds are considered to carry higher risk but may provide a higher income stream than traditional mutual funds holding similar securities.
Life Insurance for Two
Survivorship life insurance may be a cost-effective coverage solution for older couples or business partners.
Unpacking the Real Limitations on Unlimited PTO
The prospect of unlimited paid time off may be appealing, but there are also some potential pitfalls to consider.
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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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August
HOT TOPIC: What’s in the New Tax Legislation?
This article provides an overview of some key provisions in the new tax law, commonly called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Have You Set a Retirement Savings Goal?
Completing this simple worksheet can help establish a realistic retirement savings target.
Buying a Condo? Focus on the Financials
Condominiums are generally priced lower than single-family homes, but condo ownership comes with some special costs and financial implications.
Investing with Market Cap in Mind
Holding stocks in companies of varied sizes through mutual funds or exchange-traded funds could help increase portfolio diversification.
How Savers and Spenders Can Meet in the Middle
Couples with opposite philosophies regarding saving and spending often have trouble finding common ground. This article offers tips on working out financial differences.
Home Appliance Economics
The prices of new home appliances have declined over the last decade, but repair costs have gone through the roof. Here’s what to consider when facing appliance-buying decisions.
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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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