Newsletters
Most Americans spend more time planning for vacations and
holidays than planning for their retirement.1
Will you outlive your retirement income? How much liability insurance should
you have? Should you add stocks to your portfolio? 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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October
HOT TOPIC: Government Intervenes in Credit Crisis
September was an unsettling month for the financial markets that Americans may not soon forget. Here's a look at what happened.
Adding Stability in Volatile Times
One strategy that can add growth potential to a portfolio, without assuming many of the risks associated with the financial markets, involves purchasing an annuity contract from an insurance company.
Why Do Lower Prices Equal Higher Yields?
The price/yield relationship is rooted in the secondary bond market, where bonds may trade at a premium or discount of the par (or face) value.
Will Going Green Grow Green?
About one out of every nine dollars under professional management in the United States is already invested according to socially screened criteria. There are several key questions to ask yourself when considering how this rising tide could affect your portfolio.
Increase Your Protection
If your net worth exceeds the amount of liability coverage provided by your homeowners and auto insurance policies (each usually tops out somewhere between $300,000 and $500,000), you might want to consider an umbrella liability insurance policy.
Should You Found a Foundation?
If you want to control how and where your donations are used, create an entity that has the potential to last for generations, and unite family members behind a worthy cause — and don’t mind some fairly strict paperwork requirements — this type of organization might be worth considering.
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August
The Election and Your Money
In this year’s election, there are issues, such as energy, free trade, and inflation, playing a role that could have a significant effect on investors and consumers over the next four years.
It’s Your Home, Not Your Retirement
Although downsizing or using a reverse mortgage to free up home equity can be appropriate for some older retirees, planning to rely on your home to fund your retirement is a corner you may not want to paint yourself into.
Protect Your Downside
When the economy takes a turn for the worse, bond mutual funds offer investors a chance to diversify their holdings and dampen risk.
Every Little Bit Helps
IRA catch-up contributions enable investors aged 50 and older to make up ground in saving for retirement, whether they had a late start or just want to sock away more money.
What’s in It for You?
The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 contained favorable provisions that will benefit small business. It appears that the government wants to inspire businesses to spend freely, too.
Good Time to Keep Going
Inflation is rising. Home prices are falling. Oil and stock prices are volatile. Could this be a good time to ramp up your retirement savings? You might be surprised at the answer.
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July
Take It Year by Year
The Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates fast and deep. Although not all consumer rates are directly affected by the cuts, they highlight turmoil in the credit markets, rising inflation, and the possibility of slower economic growth.
Get Schooled on Saving for College
One way to be prepared for the possibility that the tab for higher education may be higher than expected is to take advantage of the tax benefits of 529 plans.
Are the Times A-Changin'?
As the election year rolls along, Americans are facing an uncertain future and an election that could be the harbinger of great change.
Estimate Your Estate
It is imperative to have an estate conservation strategy. Taking an inventory of your assets is a good place to start.
Surviving the Estate Tax with Survivorship Life
People who never imagined they would have enough assets to trigger estate taxes could be in for a surprise. One way to help plan for this possibility is by purchasing a survivorship life insurance policy.
It's Not as Bad as You Think
Economic indicators, including GDP, are signaling continued growth, but consumer confidence is lower than it's been in years. Why do these figures seem to be moving in opposite directions?
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June
What Does the Dollar Do for You?
Which is preferable, a strong dollar or a weak one?
No Better Time Than Now
You may not associate this time of year with reviewing the beneficiaries on your life insurance policy — nonetheless, it can be a good time to take this important step.
For Income, Pick Up This Split
A split-annuity strategy can help you begin receiving an income stream that has the potential to last well into the future.
Heir-Tight Estate Conservation
An incentive trust can help reinforce the lessons you taught your children during your life.
Population Boomer
The nearly 80 million boomers, who have reinvented so many aspects of American life, appear poised to leave their unique mark on retirement and possibly transform the economy in the process.
What's Next for IPOs?
Only 10 companies went public on U.S. stock exchanges in the first quarter of 2008. Even if you never participate in an initial public offering, the IPO market can reveal a wealth of clues about the financial climate at home and abroad.
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February
A Grand New Contribution
If you were waiting for the day when you could sock away some serious dough in your individual retirement account, the time has arrived.
Mutual Fund Mastery
Test how much you know about one of the most popular investment vehicles.
Living Comes with Guarantees
Several types of living benefit guarantees are available that can provide valuable protection for variable annuity owners.
The Trouble with Timing
The speculation that drives market timing can often cause investors to get in right before a downturn or to flee before realizing potential gains.
Election Year Antics
As we enter a campaign cycle that is already unlike others we’ve seen, we can expect to see out-of-the-ordinary behavior by everyone from policymakers to Wall Street traders.
Retirement, Boomer Style
As the baby boomers leave the workforce for retirement, the nation is facing a shortage of workers to take their places. This demographic shift is expected to affect not only Social Security and Medicare, but the U.S. economy, as well.
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January
The Coming Retirement Boom
In 2008, a new era will dawn that economists and policymakers have been anticipating for years with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation: baby boomers will begin turning 62, ushering in an unprecedented long-term shift in the balance between working and retired Americans.
Happy Birthdays?
The road to retirement winds through several birthdays that affect most Americans’ retirement benefits and tax circumstances.
Betting Your Life on Low Coverage
If you are close to retiring or have already retired, you may be wondering whether your life insurance policy meets your current needs.
Regain Your Individuality
When employees leave their jobs, they have a choice to make: they can withdraw the money, leave the money in their former employers’ retirement accounts, or roll the money into another retirement plan.
You’ve Sold It: What’s Next?
If you are a business owner who is considering selling your enterprise soon, you may be able to reap even greater rewards by doing a little prep work now.
Inflation Could Make a Comeback
Inflation took a big jump in November, the largest monthly increase in two years. But it’s unusual for inflation to flare during an economic slowdown, and this odd pairing puts the Federal Reserve in a tough spot.
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December
Life Insurance Goes to College
Life insurance is usually thought of in terms of tragic outcomes, but if life goes as planned, you may still be able to use it to send your kids to college.
World of Opportunity
It may be tempting to think that investing at home is enough, but that kind of thinking misses opportunities that may be available through foreign investments.
Money and the Battle of the Sexes
When both spouses are informed about the household finances, it can reduce the potential for mistakes, misunderstandings, and lost opportunities.
Giving for the Greater Good
When you utilize a structured giving strategy, your efforts can help reap greater benefits for you, your heirs, and your favorite charity.
An ILIT Might Fit
If you are concerned about estate taxes, an ILIT might be the way to go.
Oil's Above-Ground Problems
It used to be that the main concern about oil was finding enough of it in the ground to meet world demand. Despite dire predictions to the contrary, most experts believe that there is still plenty of oil in the ground. Why then has the price of oil doubled since 2004?
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