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Newsletters

FIFTY-SEVEN PERCENT OF AMERICAN WORKERS HAVE SAVED LESS THAN $25,000 FOR RETIREMENT, AND 28% HAVE SAVED LESS THAN $1,000.

Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2015

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.

MARCH

HOT TOPIC: Automating the American Workforce

What current trends in workforce automation could mean for U.S. workers, industries, and the broader economy.

Tax Breaks for College Costs

Three federal tax provisions can help ease the financial strain of paying for rising college costs.

What Is the Roth IRA Five-Year Rule?

There are two separate five-year holding requirements that may affect the tax treatment of Roth IRA distributions.

Chasing Performance vs. Diversification

While chasing performance can lead to disappointing returns, diversifying investments may help manage risk.

Tax Tips on Capital Gains

Tax season is an opportunity to look at the tax implications of investment strategies and plan for the year ahead.

LLCs: Hybrid Structure May Offer Best of Both Worlds

A look at the distinctions between LLCs, partnerships, and sole proprietorships.

FEBRUARY

HOT TOPIC: Digital Deception: Current Trends in Cybercrime

An overview of recent developments in cybersecurity and tips that could help protect sensitive account information.

 

How Much Should You Save for Retirement?

To help calculate retirement savings needs consider factors such as Social Security benefits and medical expenses.

 

Managing Risk with a Strong Foundation

How asset allocation and diversification can work together to help form a strong base for constructing a portfolio.

 

A Roadmap for Your Family

A letter of instruction has no formal legal status, but it could be just as important as a legal will to help settle an estate.

Taxing Social Security Benefits

How Social Security benefits are taxed and why the current system may lead to higher tax liabilities.

Six Steps to Launching a New Venture

Here are some important first steps entrepreneurs should consider when starting a new venture.

JANUARY

HOT TOPIC: Rising Rates: The Fed Takes Next Step Toward Normal

The possible implications for consumers and investors when the Federal Reserve raises short-term interest rates.

The Cost of Caregiving

About one out of six American adults had provided unpaid care to another adult during the previous 12 months.

In or Out of the Nest? Helping Adult Children

Helping young people transition to adult financial responsibilities without making it difficult for parents to pursue their own financial goals.

Following the Federal Reserve

The regulatory and supervisory responsibilities of the Federal Reserve, including emergency lending, stress tests, and capital controls.

Improving Market Allows More Owners to Cash Out

Common valuation methods and how small-business owners can get the best price when selling their businesses.

Making Sense of Beneficiary Designations

How beneficiary designations, per stirpes and per capita, could affect the division of assets to children and grandchildren.

DECEMBER

HOT TOPIC: Three Financial Issues to Watch Under the New Administration

Three financial issues — the Affordable Care Act, tax reform, and the investment climate — that might take center stage early in the Trump administration.

Consider Munis for Tax-Free Income

Understanding general obligation and revenue bonds, how bonds are rated, and potential benefits of tax-free yields.

Finding Lost Money

Though finding buried treasure is unlikely, discovering “lost” money or other assets may not be a fantasy after all.

Why You Need a Will…Even If You’re Not a Prince

A will and personal property memorandum give heirs a clear indication of specific assets you want to bequeath.

Could the AMT Boost Your Taxes?

An explanation of how the alternative minimum tax works. It is expected to affect about 4.3 million taxpayers in 2016.

New Overtime Rules Could Be Costly for Small Businesses

Employers may need to review employee classifications and staffing as they attempt to comply with the new overtime rules.

NOVEMBER

HOT TOPIC: Are Soaring Health-Care Costs Hurting the U.S. Economy?

Recent trends in the changing health-care landscape, and why some economists believe the broader U.S. economy could be at risk.

Feeling Confident: Steps to Saving More

Ideas that may help readers save more without making a big sacrifice in their cash flow.

Balancing Medicare and Work-Based Insurance

Rules and other considerations workers who are eligible for both Medicare and employer-based health insurance face.

Step Up to elp Reduce Taxes on Inherited Assets

Step-up in basis on inherited assets differs from gifts, which are subject to carryover basis rules.

Medicare Means Testing

Medicare program structure, premiums, and why it’s important to factor health-care costs into retirement planning.

Bracing for Potential Cybersecurity Threats

Understanding cyber security threats and some tips to help small businesses defend their data and protect their interests.

OCTOBER

Changing Jobs? Careful with Your 401(k)

Are you thinking about cashing out of a 401(k) plan? Do you know your options and the potential consequences?

Universal Life for Flexibility

With a universal life insurance policy you can change the frequency and amount of premium payments or death benefit.

Know Your Credit Score

Do you know your FICO score? Here are some tips on how to improve your credit score and maintain your high score.

Looking for Income? Consider Closed-End Funds

Investors interested in the potential for a regular income stream may want to consider closed-end funds.

Comparing Your Retirement Plan Options

A look at some specific features of employer-sponsored retirement plans (401(k) plans, SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs).

SEPTEMBER

HOT TOPIC: Social Security and Medicare Update: The 2016 Trustees Reports

Key information regarding the current and future financial health of Social Security and Medicare programs.

How Much Cash Should You Keep?

Common cash vehicles that might be used for emergency savings and investment accounts, including CDs.

New Law Requires Notification of Medicare Observation Status

The distinction between observation care and inpatient status while in the hospital can make a difference in a patient’s out-of-pocket costs.

Focused on College Funding

The flexible features and tax advantages associated with 529 plans, as well as their impact on financial aid.

Reclassifying Real Estate

How REITs differ from other types of stocks and why the sector change might affect the portfolios of some investors.

Enticing the Crowd: New Rules for Raising Capital Online

An overview of the SEC’s new crowdfunding rules and how campaigns may be used to launch or expand a small business.

AUGUST

HOT TOPIC: Equity Crowdfunding: Why Investors Should Tread Carefully

An overview of how the crowdfunding process works, the rules, and the risks associated with investing in start-ups.

Stock Diversification: Large, Mid, and Small

The differences among large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap stocks, and the average annual returns over 10-, 20-, and 30-year periods.

Preparing to Retire in a Down Market

Market losses early in retirement can have an outsized effect on the income a retiree might expect from a portfolio.

Have You Used Mobile Payments?

Basic information about the benefits and risks of mobile payments and apps.

As Manufacturing Stumbles…

A thriving service sector has helped the U.S. economy weather troubles in the manufacturing sector.

Who Needs a Succession Plan? Maybe You

Monetizing a closely held business is often a long and difficult process, so business owners may benefit by developing an exit strategy.

JULY

Market Slices: Investing in Sector Funds

How sector funds can help diversify a portfolio and the risks associated with sector investing.

Teaching Children About Finance

Tips to help parents teach their children about personal finance.

Home-Sweet-Home Equity

Several ways in which homeowners might use home equity to help strengthen their financial positions in retirement.

The Second Time Around

Estate planning strategies for blended families, including various methods for dividing assets among heirs.

Putting Your Kids on the Payroll

There are a number of good reasons to involve children in the operation of a family business.

JUNE

HOT TOPIC: Is 70 the New 65? Why Americans Are Working Longer

Why more Americans have been delaying retirement past age 65 and how it might affect their health and finances.

Woking for Yourself — and Your Future

Three retirement plan options available to self-employed individuals and small businesses.

Men, Women, and Investment Partnership

Many studies have shown that men and women tend to have different approaches to investing.

Investors Are Human, Too

Understanding the influence of human nature might help investors overcome five common psychological traps.

Life Policies Plus Long-Term-Care Benefits

Two insurance strategies that may help prevent savings from being depleted by the escalating cost of long-term care.

Using Data to Drive Critical Decisions

Ways in which small businesses are using data to improve efficiency and customer interaction.

MAY

Managing Your 401(k)

Make the most of participating in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans, such as 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans.

Expressing Your Wishes in Advance

Why it’s better to prepare now before you are unable to make your own medical or financial decisions.

TIPS for Inflation Protection

How Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) can help protect the purchasing power of your investment dollars.

Evaluating a Pension Plan Offer

How lump-sum offers are calculated plus factors and trade-offs to consider when a lump-sum offer is on the table.

Don’t Miss These Key Tax Deductions

Tax compliance can be a struggle for small businesses, but there are deductible costs that may help lower tax bills.

APRIL

Does Your Risk Tolerance Follow the Market?

Risk tolerance should be a fundamental component of an investment strategy and based on an investor’s specific situation.

Protecting Your Assets Under an Umbrella

An umbrella insurance policy can help protect assets in the event of an expensive lawsuit.

Community Property Laws: Yours, Mine, and Ours

An outline of community property laws and “equitable distribution” laws applicable in non–community property states.

Rates on the Rise

Bonds are a mainstay for conservative investors and retirees who may need to manage interest-rate risk.

Don’t Let the Weather Put Your Company Underwater

It’s important for small-business owners to identify potential risks to their businesses, form disaster plans, and have adequate insurance.