April

• HOT TOPIC: International Investing: The Diverging Fortunes of China and Japan

  Investing Internationally can help increase portfolio diversification and provide access to opportunities that may differ from those in the United States.

• Beware of These Life Insurance Beneficiary Mistakes

  Naming a life insurance policy’s beneficiaries should be a relatively simple task, but there are some situations that can lead to unintended and adverse consequences.

• Individual Bonds vs. Bond Funds: What’s the Difference?

  Individual bonds and bond funds can both provide an income stream, but there are important differences. This article provides an overview of these two types of investments.

• What’s Required of the Executor of an Estate?

  Being named as the executor of an estate is generally an honor but settling an estate can be a difficult and time-consuming job. This article provides an overview of typical executor responsibilities.

• How a Family Limited Partnership Can Power an Estate Plan

  A family limited partnership is a legal agreement that enables business owners and their heirs to address succession, estate, and tax planning needs, all at once.

• Fixed Annuities: Retirement Income for Now or Later

  Purchasing a fixed annuity shifts the risk for future investment returns to the insurance company and could help create a pension-like income stream for retirement.

March

• Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2024

  This article presents the IRS’ cost-of-living adjustments for 2024 that affect contribution limits for retirement plans and various tax deduction, exclusion, exemption, and threshold amounts.

• Roth 401(k) News: Is It Time to Rethink How You Save for Retirement?

  High-income participants will not be allowed to make pre-tax catch-up contributions to a traditional 401(k) or similar plan starting in 2026, but they will be able to contribute to a workplace Roth.

• Can Your Personality Influence Your Portfolio? New Research Points to Yes

  The findings of two recent academic studies may offer insight into how investors can make more fruitful financial decisions.

February

• HOT TOPIC: Tax Season News and Survival Tips

  Taxpayers may want to be aware of important updates as they prepare to file their 2023 federal returns. This article includes information, filing tips, and last-minute opportunities for tax savings.

• Do You Have These Key Estate Planning Documents?

  This article provides an overview of four estate planning documents that almost everyone should have: a durable power of attorney, a medical directive, a will, and a letter of instruction.

January

• HOT TOPIC: SECURE 2.0 Provides New Retirement Savings Options in 2024

  The SECURE 2.0 Act made wide-ranging changes to U.S. tax laws related to retirement savings. This article provides an overview of some important provisions that take effect in 2024.

• Understanding Life Insurance

  Life insurance can help replace much-needed income after the death of a provider. With the wide variety of policies available, it’s important to understand the basic types of coverage.

• Setting a Retirement Savings Goal

  Only 51% of workers or their spouses have tried to estimate the savings they would need to live comfortably in retirement. This article offers a simple worksheet to help calculate a savings target.

December

• Much Ado About RMDs

  This article provides an overview of the changes the SECURE 2.0 Act made and a brief explanation of how to calculate required minimum distributions from tax-advantaged retirement accounts.

• New Medicare Rules Tackle Prescription Drug Prices

  The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included provisions intended to lower prescription drug costs for Medicare enrollees and slow drug spending by the federal government.

November

• HOT TOPIC: Can Consumers Keep Carrying the Economy?

  Consumer spending has bolstered the economy amid inflation, higher interest rates, and a cooling job market. This article looks at what may be driving spending and what might derail its momentum.

• You’ve Received an Inheritance, Now What?

  Receiving an inheritance might promote spending without planning, but it’s not wise to make hasty decisions. This article provides suggestions that could help manage an inheritance.

• Tax-Loss Harvesting Offers Chance at Silver Lining

  Stock market downturns can be rough on a portfolio’s bottom line, but selling losing investments may offer the potential to reduce an investor’s tax liability.

October

• Time to Bulk Up Your Emergency Fund

  A financial crisis can strike when least expected, so it’s important to have a sufficient emergency fund. This article offers some suggestions to help increase a fund before it’s needed.

• Four Key Objectives of a Sound Retirement Plan

  A sound retirement plan should be based on personal circumstances, and no one strategy is suitable for everyone. This article looks at four goals that a retirement strategy should address.

• Enriching a Teen with a Roth IRA

  A teen with a part-time job can contribute to a Roth IRA, which is a flexible way to accumulate funds for college, retirement, and other long-term needs.

September

• Coming in 2024: New 529 Plan-to-Roth IRA Rollover Option

  The SECURE 2.0 Act includes two new provisions related to college savings and funding. Learn more in this article.

• New RMD Rules Give Retirement Savings More Time to Grow

  This article explains the rules for required minimum distribution from tax-deferred retirement accounts with an emphasis on the new provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act.

• Social Security 101

  Social Security is complicated, and the details are often misunderstood even by those who are already receiving benefits.

August

• Mutual Funds: What’s in Your Portfolio?

  Mutual funds offer a convenient way to invest across a wide range of market activity. This article provides an overview of different types of mutual funds in order of typical risk.

• It’s Your Money: Why Not Get Your Withholding Right?

  Did you owe money at tax time or receive a large refund? This article discusses the types of situations in which taxpayers should consider adjusting their withholding.

July

• SECURE 2.0 Act Expands Early Withdrawal Exceptions

  Discover exceptions to the federal income penalty for early withdrawals from tax-advantaged retirement accounts, including new exceptions added by the SECURE 2.0 Act.

• Child Care Is a Budget Buster: Take Advantage of These Tax Breaks

  A tax credit and/or dependent-care flexible spending account might help offset some of the costs paid for a nanny, babysitter, day care, preschool, or day camp.

June

• How Taxes Impact Your Retirement-Income Strategy

  Retirees face unique challenges when managing their income, particularly when it comes to taxes. This article provides an overview of tax-related issues, from taxing Social Security to the new RMD rules and determining when to tap taxable and tax-advantaged accounts.

• Does the Social Security COLA Help If You’re Not Receiving Benefits?

  This article explains how the COLA not only helps current beneficiaries, but also may increase future benefits for those who are not yet receiving Social Security payments.

May

• Municipal Bonds: A Tax-Advantaged Way to Put Capital to Work

  Muni bonds and tax-exempt funds have long been a mainstay in the portfolios of income-focused investors who want to manage their tax burdens.

• Bear Market Emotions: Strategy vs. Reaction

  Staying disciplined in building a well-constructed portfolio over time can help carry investors through the market’s rough spots.