Newsletters
Forty-three percent of Americans spent more time planning their most recent vacation 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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August
HOT TOPIC: New Year, Higher Taxes?
After the Waterford Crystal ball descends in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, most people will see their taxes ascending for 2011 — at least that’s the current situation. Find out how high they could go.
Leaving Your Job? Put an IRA to Work
The way in which you handle your retirement plan assets when leaving a company is an important decision that could affect your retirement savings considerably.
A Question of Identity
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that up to 9 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year. Education is the first step to help protect yourself from ID theft. Take this short quiz to see how much you know.
Stocking Up on Cash: Scared or Prepared?
Having enough cash to make it through an illness, injury, job loss, or other financial emergency can help you avoid taking on debt or tapping your retirement assets.
The Growing Popularity of Preferred Stocks
Investors may be attracted to "preferreds" because they are a potential source of dividend income. Preferred stocks have evolved in recent years as the demands of investors have changed.
A Look at the Second-Half Outlook
Here we are halfway through the year and there's still no clear verdict on whether investors were justified in their optimism. But there are a number of developments on the horizon that could be important to investors.
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July
HOT TOPIC: Celebrity Estate Planning Gone Wrong
Ever notice that celebrities seems to be experts at leaving their estates in chaos? Fortunately, their mistakes serve as useful reminders of why estate planning is so important.
Going Global
International funds enable investors to diversify not only across industry sectors but national borders as well. Despite this benefit, international mutual funds come with additional risks that should be considered carefully.
Inflation Gets Personal
The CPI attempts to measure the rate of inflation experienced by the average American, but this figure may not be entirely applicable to your situation.
Save More to Have More
There's one solution to a retirement savings shortfall that is so simple you might never have given it serious consideration: Set aside more of your current income. Even if you believe that you are currently saving as much as possible toward retirement, you might change your mind after you run the numbers.
Help Your Family Help You
Obviously, most of us prefer to keep our personal finances personal, but opening a discussion about family finances could help prevent headaches and challenges when difficulties strike.
The Board of Directors: A Key to Company Success
Given the wide and important role that the board plays, it is a good idea to look beyond the glossy portraits and become familiar with the individuals tasked with guarding shareholder wealth.
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June
HOT TOPIC: The Great Inflation-Deflation Debate
We're all used to worrying about inflation and its long-term effect on purchasing power. However, there's a growing chorus warning that deflation is the next big concern for the U.S. economy.
When Investing Pays Dividends
Aside from the potential for steady payments, dividends can be a good way to assess a company's health, quality of earnings, and future prospects.
Save the Date
There are several key retirement milestones tied to specific birthdays or ages. This quiz asks readers to identify several.
Is It Ever OK to Make Early Withdrawals?
There are few ways to sabotage your retirement goals more effectively than tapping your retirement assets before you reach age 59½.
Get to Know Your Beneficiaries
It's a good idea to review your beneficiary designations on a regular basis to help ensure there is no debate over who will inherit your retirement assets and receive your life insurance benefits.
Investor Emotions and Where to Find Them
Anyone who has watched the stock market for any length of time knows it is subject to two key investor emotions: greed and fear.
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May
Protection for a Price
Variable annuities give contract holders the ability to purchase guarantees to help protect against downside risks.
The Return of the Initial Public Offering
After a drought of initial public offerings over the past few years, the IPO market finally began to perk up in the second quarter of 2009.
A Potential Income Source for the Risk-Averse
Although no financial instrument is entirely without risk, the guarantees offered by a fixed annuity can help address the concerns of even the most risk-averse investors.
Test Your College Funding Knowledge
If you want to help your children or grandchildren accumulate enough money to afford college, a good first step is to become familiar with 529 plans and the Coverdell Education Savings Account.
The Problem with Investment Gains
Believe it or not, a significant investment gain, especially one from an unexpected source, can pose a risk to your progress toward long-term goals if it's not handled properly.
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April
HOT TOPIC: New Rules Likely Making Credit Cards More Expensive
New rules designed to limit credit-card issuers from quietly raising interest rates and fees will undoubtedly help consumers become more aware of the terms and conditions on their credit cards. But the real news is that the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD) may actually be making credit cards more expensive to use.
Getting Something for Giving
Charitable trusts may help your charity of choice while also providing you with potential tax benefits.
An Average Way to Invest
Dollar-cost averaging might help investors make the most of a highly volatile period.
Interest Rates: Be Ready for Anything
There is a strategy to help bondholders limit the risk of continued low rates and put them in a position to benefit if the rates go higher.
Shelter Your Retirement Lifestyle
An umbrella liability insurance policy takes effect in the event that the limits of your primary insurance policies are exhausted.
A Graceful Departure
An exit strategy is important for any business owner who plans to leave the company he or she has nurtured and built.