Newsletters

Fourty-seven percent of American workers have saved less than $25,000 for retirement, and 24% have saved less than $1,000.¹
Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2017

Will you outlive your retirement income? 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.

• January

  HOT TOPIC: Two Trade Agreements Offer Optimism, But Uncertainty Remains
  A look at the U.S.-China “skinny” trade deal and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and their potential impact on consumers and the U.S. economy.

  Give and Receive with a Charitable Remainder Trust
  Discover how to give a substantial gift to a favorite charity while receiving a flow of income during your lifetime.

  Business or Hobby? It’s All About Taxes
  The difference between a money-losing business and a hobby matters at tax time. This article presents IRS criteria for making the distinction.

  Is It Time to Step Up Your Digital Marketing?
  Now that 28% of Americans report being online “almost constantly,” could digital marketing be a cost-effective way to attract new customers?

• December

  Hot Topic: The Ag Economy: Tough Times for Farmers in 2019
  Farm bankruptcies rose in 2019, despite billions in federal support. This article discusses the effect on rural communities and regional economies.

  Online Shopping Tips
  As web-based retail sales continue to grow, these tips may help ensure a safer online shopping experience.

  What’s Required of the Executor of an Estate?
  Being named the executor of an estate can be an honor, but this overview shows why it can also be a difficult and time-consuming job.

  Prices and the Economy
  Low inflation may seem like good news, but it has a darker side. See which factors might be driving down inflation in the United States.

  Qualified Charitable Distributions
  Discover how qualified charitable distributions work and why they may now be more valuable than taking a tax deduction.

  A New Option for Providing Health Coverage in 2020
  Learn more about Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements and how they may help small businesses offer employee health coverage.

• October

  HOT TOPIC: Could a Health Savings Account Help Strengthen Your Retirement Plan?
  In addition to setting aside pre-tax income to pay current and future medical expenses, an HSA could play an important role in your long-term retirement strategy.

  Protection to Help Your Family
  Explore the benefits of individual life insurance versus work-based coverage, and compare term and permanent policies.

  Five Money Issues to Talk About Before the Wedding
  Before saying “I do,” newly-engaged couples may want to discuss these five key financial topics.

  What Medicare Won’t Cover
  See potentially expensive services Original Medicare doesn’t cover and how Medicare Advantage, Medigap or private insurance might help.

  Index Update: Shifting Sectors Reflect Social Change
  How do recent classification changes reflect shifts in the telecommunications sector, and what does that mean to investors?

  Coping with a Labor Shortage
  As small businesses struggle to recruit and retain employees in a tight job market, these tips may help owners meet staffing needs.

• September

  HOT TOPIC: Upside Down: What Does the Yield Curve Suggest About Growth?
  An inverted yield curve can be an economic indicator along with other factors that contribute to an uncertain outlook for future growth.

  Sticker Shock May Drive Consumers to Used Cars
  As new car prices skyrocket, these three trends could make 2019 a good year to buy a three-year-old vehicle.

  Risk Tolerance: Stress-Test Your Portfolio…and Yourself
  Do you know your personal tolerance for market risk? Here are three key questions that may help you find out.

  Steps to Help Lower Capital Gains Taxes
  Discover how the step-up in basis provision may help reduce capital gains taxes and preserve the value of assets left to heirs.

  Life Insurance Strategies: Reasons Empty Nesters May Want Permanent Coverage
  As policyholders age, life insurance could help supplement retirement income, support a surviving spouse, and/or leave a legacy.

• August

  HOT TOPIC: How Geopolitical Tensions May Affect Oil Prices and the Economy
  Explore the relationship between fuel prices and economic growth, factors that influence prices, and how U.S. production altered the global oil market.

  Caught in the Middle: The Sandwich Generation
  Tips to help balance the competing demands of saving for retirement and providing financial support to adult children and aging parents.

• July

  Seeking Balance in a Mutual Fund
  Balancing stocks and bonds can be a central part of building an investment portfolio. Find out how balanced funds follow a similar strategy.

  What’s the Real Return on Your Investments?
  Tax rates, interest rates, and inflation can all cut into the value of investment dollars. This article looks at real return on investments.

• June

  A Steady Strategy in Turbulent Times
  Dollar-cost averaging can help investors focus on building their portfolios through regular investing rather than reacting to market swings.

  College Savings: Roth or 529 Plan?
  Can a Roth IRA double as a college savings tool? Find out how a Roth IRA compares with state-based 529 college savings plans.

  Avoiding Probate with a Transfer-on-Death Deed
  Many U.S. states offer a way to avoid probate when leaving the family home to your heirs. Learn more about transfer-on-death deeds.

  Interest Rates and the Economy
  Do you know which factors influence bond yields and why the gap between short- and long-term yields is often viewed as an economic indicator?

  Steps to Executing an Exit Strategy
  Monetizing a closely held business can be a difficult process, so owners may want to plan an exit strategy before they really need one.

• May

  SRI Investing: Not Just for Stocks
  Find out how individual impact bonds may allow investors to preserve principal and generate income while supporting activities that are important to them.

• March

  Taking a Team Approach to Retirement Savings
  Even if you and your spouse have separate retirement accounts, you may still be able to craft a unified savings and investment strategy.

• February

  Need to Tap Your 401(k)? Proceed with Care
  Explore an overview of rules and tax consequences for 401(k) plan hardship distributions and other early withdrawals.

  Looking Back, Looking Ahead
  See the indicators economists rely on to understand the past, present, and potential future direction of the economy.

  Getting Real About Retirement
  This article features a worksheet and relevant information to help estimate retirement expenses and income.

  Seeking Synergy: Why Mergers and Acquisitions Matter to Investors
  Find out how and why mergers and acquisitions take place (and why they matter to investors).