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.
-
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.
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.
-
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.
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.
-
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.
Save the Date
There are several key retirement milestones tied to specific birthdays or ages. This quiz asks readers to identify several.
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.
-
May
How Health-Care Expenses Could Affect Your Retirement Lifestyle
Given the discussion over the future of U.S. health care, is it time to recalculate how much money you will need to pay for medical care in retirement?
Protection for a Price
Variable annuities give contract holders the ability to purchase guarantees to help protect against downside risks.
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.
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.
-
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.
-
March
HOT TOPIC: Sum of All Fears: Are Risk Aversion and Greed All in the Mind?
Do you change your investment strategy as the markets go up and down, or do you stay the course? As difficult as it may be, staying the course is usually the more advisable approach — but research shows that you may need to defy your brain to do it.
Working for Social Security
There's nothing wrong with wanting to work in retirement, but if you decide to earn some extra income, make sure you understand how it will affect your Social Security benefits.
Most Recoveries Are Announced Months After They Begin
Because it can take so long for the National Bureau of Economic Research to determine when a recession began or ended, people who delay financial decisions until they are certain a recession is over are at a disadvantage because they may be operating on old information.
-
February
HOT TOPIC: Does the Estate Tax Have a Future?
For the first time since 1915, the federal government has no law in place to tax large estates when they are transferred to heirs. But will Congress allow the estate tax repeal to stand?
Tips for Healthy Life Insurance
If you are about to retire or have recently entered retirement, it's a good time to consider whether your current life insurance policy meets your needs.
What Does a Fed Chairman Do?
The Federal Reserve plays an important role in our economy, and the chairman is its most visible player. His behavior is a good source of clues about what the future may hold.
-
January
HOT TOPIC: What's Ahead for 2010?
Economists expect the economy to grow by a respectable 3% in 2010, but they don't hold out much hope for the employment situation. What else can investors and consumers expect from the coming year?
Are Target-Date Funds Off Target?
Target-date funds are not for everyone, so it's important to gather all the facts.
The Benefits of Social Security
Take this quiz to assess how much you know about Social Security benefits.
Love and Marriage and Retirement
More than 80% of married couples 45 to 72 say they don't agree on when they should retire, what their retirement lifestyle should look like, or whether they will work in retirement.