Newsletters

April

• HOT TOPIC: High-Frequency Indicators: Where to Look for Signs of Recovery

  This article discusses various high-frequency indicators economists use to monitor the pandemic’s impact and the economic recovery’s progress.

• A Financial Wellness Plan Can Help Pave the Road to Retirement

  This article outlines four elements of financial well-being and offers suggestions to strengthen financial wellness.

• All-in-One Funds: Targeting Time or Risk?

  This article discusses target-date funds and lifestyle funds, with the more common of the two based on time horizon rather than risk.

• Working While Receiving Social Security Benefits

  Do you understand the Social Security retirement earnings test and how it may affect your current and future Social Security benefits?

• Your Business: Reasons to Keep Personal and Business Finances Separate

  Find out why it’s important to draw a line between business and personal finances, especially for credit, tax, and personal asset purposes.

March

• HOT TOPIC: GameStop, Reddit, and Market Mania: What Happened?

  Learn the story behind the extreme volatility of “meme” stocks promoted through social media, including the risk for individual investors.

• Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2021

  IRS cost-of-living adjustments affect retirement plan contribution limits and certain tax considerations. Explore these 2021 adjustments.

• Is Your Home Office Also a Tax Shelter?

  This article explains which taxpayers are eligible for the home office deduction and describes the two methods used to calculate it.

February

• HOT TOPIC: Pandemic Relief Measures and Your Tax Return

  This article discusses various tax issues stemming from the two tax relief bills passed in 2020 in response to the pandemic and how they may affect you.

• Sequence Risk: Preparing to Retire in a Down Market

  This article offers a strategy that may help address sequence risk — the danger of poor investment performance at the outset of retirement.

• Watch Out for These Financial Pitfalls in the New Year

  Financial opportunities and potential pitfalls can appear at any time. Here are common money mistakes to avoid at various stages of life.

• New Fed Policy Suggests Low Rates for the Long Term

  The Fed now seeks to control inflation through the benchmark federal funds rate. Find out what this means for investors and consumers.

• When You Can’t Speak for Yourself

  Discover how a living will and durable powers of attorney for health care and finances can help ensure your wishes are carried out.

• Big Data for Smaller Players

  Read how small businesses use software services to help streamline operations, understand customers, optimize websites, and find new markets.

January

• HOT TOPIC: Revisiting the 4% Rule

  For years, the “4% rule” helped retirees make their savings last, but now a more aggressive withdrawal strategy might be the new norm.

• Five Tips to Regain Your Retirement Savings Focus in 2021

  This article presents five steps that could help focus and enhance a retirement savings strategy in 2021.

• Money Market Funds in a Low Rate Environment

  Did you know there still may be reasons to hold money market mutual funds despite low yields? Read this article to find out more.

• Prepare Your Finances for the Next Emergency

  The pandemic has underscored the importance of a well-stocked emergency fund. This article offers tips for building up a cash reserve.

• Gift vs. Inheritance: Consider the Tax Difference

  When deciding whether to gift assets now or transfer them to heirs at death, you need to understand step-up in basis and tax consequences.

• Take Advantage of Deductions for Business Investments

  A look at bonus depreciation and Section 179, plus CARES Act changes that may benefit companies that reconfigured spaces for safety reasons.

December

• HOT TOPIC: How COVID-19 Has Changed Consumer Behavior and the Future of Retail

  This article looks at the “new normal,” its effect on consumer behavior and the retail industry, and what that could mean for the economy.

• Should You Pay Off Student Loans Early or Save More for Retirement?

  Wondering whether you should pay off student loan debt today or save for the future? Here are some considerations to help make the decision.

• Full House: Adult Children Coming Home

  If your adult children have returned to your once-empty nest, these tips might help promote a peaceful and productive living situation.

• Your Business: Could You Benefit from a Roth Conversion in 2020?

  This article focuses on the potential short- and long-term tax ramifications of a Roth IRA conversion.

November

• Five Investment Tasks to Tackle by Year-End

  2020 market turbulence underscores the importance of reviewing an investment portfolio. These five steps could help keep it on track.

• Three Questions to Consider During Open Enrollment

  Making benefit elections for next year? This article covers three key areas that require careful consideration during open enrollment.

• Your Estate: Have You Looked at These Legal Documents Lately?

  This article looks at documents that should be kept up to date, including wills, trusts, advance medical directives, and beneficiary forms.

• Four Steps to Rebuilding Your Business

  Small-business owners may need to think on their feet and visualize what a recovery might look like for their operations post COVID-19.

October

• Accumulating Funds for Short-Term Goals

  Saving for short-term goals can require a conservative approach. This article explores some guidelines and potential investment vehicles.

• Business Cycle Basics: Recessions Begin and End Before We Know It

  This article discusses how economists identify and measure economic contractions and compares some characteristics of past recessions.

June

• HOT TOPIC: Think Twice Before Speculating on a COVID-19 Cure

  This article discusses risks involved in developing treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, and why discoveries might not benefit investors.

• Managing Your Workplace Retirement Plan

  This article presents some steps employees can take to get the most out of their employer-sponsored retirement plans.

• Will vs. Trust: Know the Difference

  Wills and trusts can each help in the distribution of assets at death. This article points out important differences between the two.

• Why You Might Need Disability Income Insurance

  This article explains how an individual disability income insurance policy can help provide income if a disability leaves you unable to work.

• SECURE Act Changes That Matter to Small Employers

  The SECURE Act could make it easier and more affordable for business owners to provide retirement plans and help their employees save for retirement.

May

• Keeping Cool: Investment Strategy vs. Reaction

  This article offers ideas to help investors focus on strategic decisions rather than react emotionally to the latest market news or movements.

• Social Security May Offer a Lifetime of Protection

  This article provides an overview of four times other than retirement when Social Security might affect you or your family.

• The Cost of Family Caregiving

  A look at the financial, emotional, and physical costs of family caregiving with some helpful suggestions for caregivers.

• Three Life Insurance Strategies for Small Businesses

  This article explores how life insurance might help small businesses attract and retain talent or fund buy-sell agreements.

• Telemedicine: The Virtual Doctor Will See You Now

  Many large employers offer telemedicine programs in their benefit packages. Do you know the potential advantages of telemedicine?