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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May
Define Your Own Benefits
Everyone wants to be a happy retiree someday, but there's a big problem.
Where Will You Roll?
An IRA is not really an investment in itself, but rather a special type of account that can be invested in thousands of ways.
In a Category All Its Own
Since exchange-traded funds (ETFs) were first introduced in 1993, interest in them has grown steadily.
New Lease on Life
Can your risk-protection strategy benefit from a whole-life insurance policy?
Go Green, But with Care
Socially responsible investing has become a force to be reckoned with.
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April
Conserve Your Estate
Are your estate strategies up-to-date and ready for whatever legislative changes lie ahead?
Fuel for the Economy
The world has become so dependent on oil that most economies simply could not exist in their present forms without it.
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March
Should Your Portfolio Have a Conscience?
Socially responsible investing has been around at least since the 1960s, but it seems to be getting more attention lately.
Six Times More Likely
It may be uncomfortable to consider the possibility that you could become disabled; however, preparing for the possibility now could help you avoid some more serious discomfort later.
The World Is Your Oyster
If you want to expand your portfolio’s geographic boundaries, international mutual funds may be a good option.
The Consumer Price Index and You
Inflation is a long-term, sustained rise in the general level of prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Weather: It Matters
Weather is common fare for small talk, but it’s difficult to think of many topics that can have a bigger effect on economic activity.
Take Advantage of Temporary Tax Laws
A raft of favorable tax provisions are in effect right now, but you better act fast. Most of them are scheduled to expire within the next two years.
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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.
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.
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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October
His and Her Uncertainty
By sharing information about each other’s plans and expectations for retirement, a couple may be able to avoid some common mistakes that could hamper their progress toward a comfortable retirement lifestyle.
The High Cost of Low Coverage
The cost of not carrying adequate life insurance could be far more expensive to surviving family members than the cost of the additional premiums.
Hand-Me-Down Dollars
Inheriting an IRA can be a great source of additional income, but the penalties for mismanaging one are severe.
Estimate the Cost of College
Determine how much needs to be saved annually so the youngsters in your family can afford college.
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September
Tolerating Risk
Whether you are a conservative investor or an aggressive one, it’s likely there are mutual funds that match your risk tolerance.
Score Your Credit Knowledge
Creditworthiness is an inseparable part of financial health, therefore it’s important to know how to maintain good credit.
Join the Millionaire Club
The burden of funding retirement now rests squarely on the shoulders of workers, many of whom are finding that they may need much more than $1 million to provide a comfortable retirement lifestyle.
IPO Trends
Though experts are expecting 2007 to be another big year for initial public offerings, or IPOs, the U.S. IPO market may not be the same as in years past.
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August
Reasons to Roll
An IRA rollover is one way to give you the maximum control over your retirement assets.
Social Security Quiz
Test your knowledge about Social Security with this short quiz.
Afraid of Outliving Your Income?
A split-annuity strategy is one way to help ensure a steady retirement income stream.
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July
Update Time
Estate issues are potentially uncomfortable to contemplate, but they are a critical aspect of your overall financial situation.
The Savings Scare That Wasn’t
Although some economists and media outlets paint a picture of a looming savings crisis, with close to 80 million baby boomers on the cusp of retirement, you may find that the nation’s personal savings rate isn’t all that important.
Check Your Credit Score
Knowing your credit score and understanding its significance are important because the number can directly affect the interest rates you pay for mortgages, car loans, and credit cards.
The Health-Care Squeeze
The coming health-care squeeze will likely affect most Americans regardless of age, net worth, or health.
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June
Retirement Reality Check
You only get one chance to save for retirement, and if you arrive at retirement’s door without adequate resources, you may have limited options.
Mutual Fund Comeback
The renewed interest in mutual funds is a reminder that they have something to offer just about anyone with a financial goal.
A Tale of Two Investments
Investing fads come and go, but a diversified strategy involving growth stocks, value stocks, or a combination of the two can be a great addition to your investment portfolio.
Business Succession Planning
The loss of an owner can be devastating to a small business, but a company-owned life insurance policy could help reduce the financial consequences if such a loss were to occur.
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