August, 2016
Will Debt Hinder Your Retirement Outlook?
Recent research shows that individuals over age 65 are carrying more debt today than they did a decade ago. How might this reality play out as these older Americans enter retirement?
August, 2016
Analyzing a Company’s Stock
Stock selection is part art, part science. There are many factors that must be considered when evaluating a company including its finances, the industry it operates in, and various valuation metrics.
August, 2016
Transferring Assets to a 529 Plan
Americans who want to take full advantage of 529 college savings plans may have the option of transferring assets from other types of college accounts into a 529 plan without triggering taxes or penalties.
August, 2016
The Saver’s Credit: Don’t Leave This Tax Break on the Table
The saver's credit allows certain low- to middle-income individuals to claim a tax credit for making contributions to an IRA or a workplace retirement account.
July, 2016
Avoid These Financial Traps—They May Be Hazardous to Your Wealth
Managing finances responsibly takes a lot of time -- and experience. Learn from your mistakes and try to avoid the traps described here.
July, 2016
The DOL Revisits Conflict of Interest Rules
New regulations -- so-called "conflict of interest" rules -- impacting retirement savers and the financial professionals who serve the retirement industry were introduced by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in April 2016.
July, 2016
Retirement Confidence Leveled Off in 2016
This year, Employee Benefit Research Institute's 26th annual Retirement Confidence Survey found that worker confidence remained stable but did not improve, due in part to lackluster market performance.
July, 2016
Consider the “Autopilot” Option for Your Plan
Auto-enrollment has helped retirement plan sponsors improve their plan participation rates and enhanced many other key plan metrics.
July, 2016
Buying Your First Home
Finding the right first home starts with a price range and a short list of desirable neighborhoods. But you may need to consider many other factors before investing in what may be your biggest asset.
July, 2016
Tips for Running a Successful Seasonal Business
A beach inn. A ski lodge. A rafting company. Each of these businesses can be defined as "seasonal," which means they are faced with unique challenges that year-round businesses do not encounter.
July, 2016
When Protection Matters: Consider a QTIP Trust
With a special estate planning instrument called a QTIP (Qualified Terminable Interest Property) trust, you can give your spouse an income stream for life and choose who will receive the trust property at your spouse's death.
July, 2016
The Lowdown on Robo-Advisors
While the trend toward digital investing and advice appears unstoppable, investors continue to have mixed feelings about the robo-investing movement
June, 2016
The Charitable IRA Transfer: Permanent at Last
If you are thinking about making a donation to charity, consider a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA. A new law finally makes these transfers a permanent planning option.
June, 2016
Get in the Habit—Smart Investing Habits to Adopt This Year
A positive investment outlook requires a disciplined approach to managing your assets. Consider establishing healthy investing habits that you practice daily, monthly or quarterly, and annually.
June, 2016
Getting Value in a Vacation Home
A vacation home is a significant investment that can pay off in fun and value. Here’s a look at things to consider when shopping for investment real estate.
June, 2016
What to Know About Annuities
Many participants in employer-sponsored retirement savings plans have the option to convert their plan assets into a guaranteed annuity when they retire, assuring a steady income flow. Whether you'll want to exercise this option depends on a number of different factors, examined in this article.
June, 2016
Health Savings Accounts: Get to Know These Versatile Savings Tools
Health savings accounts are a popular resource commonly used by individuals covered by a high-deductible health plan. Whether you have access to an HSA through your employer or you opt to enroll in one on your own, there is much to learn about these flexible savings vehicles.
June, 2016
Turning the Page: Five Things Baby Boomers Need to Know About RMDs
How time flies. The first of the baby boom generation will be required to start taking RMDs from their retirement accounts this year. Read on to learn some crucial "basics" about RMDs and how the rules governing them may affect you.
May, 2016
Investing Long Term? Don’t Overlook the Inflation Factor!
Inflation can eat away at your savings. This report explains how you can defend against inflation.
May, 2016
Paying Off Student Loans
Actively managing your debt is an important step, and your student debt may be one of the biggest financial obligations you have. There are many strategies that could help you manage student loans efficiently. Here is a checklist.
March, 2016
Understanding Medicare: Parts A, B, C, and D
One of the best way to grasp how Medicare works is to review the major components of the program: Parts A, B, C, and D.
March, 2016
Fixed-Income Investing: The ETF Approach
Fixed-income ETFs may offer built-in diversification, ease of trading and transparency, making them a useful option for portfolio construction.
March, 2016
Put Savings (and Yourself) First With a Budget
Personal savings are essential to ensure a comfortable future. Learn how to track monthly expenses with a budget and potentially free up cash for saving.
March, 2016
Your Second Wind — Starting Up a New Business in Retirement
This article looks at some of the factors involved with starting up a new business in retirement.
March, 2016
Mutual Funds and Taxes: A Primer to Help Lighten the Load
A look at potential tax consequences of mutual fund investing, including the calculation of cost basis for capital gains.
