Newsletters

October

• HOT TOPIC: Bond Market Volatility: What Could Higher Yields Mean for Your Money?

  This article discusses why U.S. Treasury yields have risen sharply and the potential impacts on consumers, businesses, and investors.

• Index Funds: Traditional and Not-So-Traditional

  While all index funds attempt to track the performance of a market index, there are hundreds of indexes and at least two alternate approaches to traditional indexing.

• Moving to Another State? Consider These Tax Moves

  Moving to a new state may have tax consequences that can follow you long after you settle in.

• Making It Make Sense: The Roth 5-Year Rule

  Understanding the Roth 5-year rule is essential to maintaining the tax advantaged treatment of Roth account assets.

• New and Improved Tax Treatment for Qualified Small Business Stock

  The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 made the tax advantages of founding and investing in certain types of small businesses even more generous.

• Financial Tools That Can Help Americans with Disabilities

  Special needs trusts and ABLE accounts can help disabled individuals establish financial independence and save for the future without losing access to critical government benefits.

September

• HOT TOPIC: Trade Roundup: New Tariff Actions and Rates

  This article explains newly implemented and upcoming tariffs and their potential economic impact.

• Test Your Knowledge of Estate Planning

  Taking this quiz may help increase understanding of estate planning.

• The College Landscape in 2026

  The world of higher education is constantly evolving. Here are some key updates for 2026.

• Medicare Open Enrollment: A Time for Choices

  Each year from October 15 to December 7, Medicare offers an Open Enrollment period during which beneficiaries can review coverage options and make changes as appropriate.

• Separately Managed Accounts: Tax-Efficiency and Tailored for You

  With SMAs, investors have the flexibility to fine-tune their asset allocations for their own unique circumstances and better manage their tax liability.

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Extends Tax Breaks for Small Businesses

  Here are three important tax provisions from the OBBBA that should provide certainty and stability for small businesses.

July

• HOT TOPIC: Social Security and Medicare: The Clock Is Ticking

  According to this year’s Trustees report, Social Security recipients might face a benefit cut in 2034 unless Congress acts soon to strengthen the program.

• Locked Out? How to Break Into Today’s Housing Market

  Homeownership can still be an attainable goal, but it may take more planning, flexibility, and creativity than it did in the past.

• What Is Value Investing?

  At the heart of a value investing strategy is viewing the purchase of stock shares as becoming a part owner of a company.

• Midyear Checkup: Can You Contribute More to Your Retirement Plan?

  With traditional pensions in decline, it’s up to the individual employee to build retirement savings in a work-based account.

• Taxing Social Security Benefits: Clearing the Confusion

  The One Big Beautiful Bill Act did not change the rules for taxing Social Security benefits, but it did create a new deduction for seniors that could help reduce their tax burden.

• Teens Say Social Media Takes a Toll on Mental Health

  Many parents are concerned about the well-being of their children as they navigate the digital landscape.

June

• HOT TOPIC: Pressure at the Pump: Will High Gas Prices Shake the U.S. Economy?

  This article looks at why gas is so expensive, what it might take to stop the upward trend, and the potential effect of high gas prices on consumers and the broader economy.

• REITs Offer Income and Diversification

  Most broad stock funds contain real estate investment trusts (REITs), but for a more strategic approach, investors can choose from a variety of REIT funds and individual REITs.

• What Is Asset-Based LTCI?

  Hybrid long-term care insurance policies, also known as asset-based plans, combine the benefit of a life insurance policy or an annuity with the availability of long-term care benefits.

• What Can You Learn from Your Tax Return?

  Tax season may be over, but a completed tax return offers information that can help with financial strategy for the rest of the year.

• Variable Annuities: Strategies to Help Counter Retirement Risks

  Unlike retirement accounts, there are no federal contribution limits for variable annuities, and the investment gains won’t be taxed until they are withdrawn.

• Goodbye Passwords, Hello Passkeys

  As major tech companies, apps, and websites make passkeys their default security option, it’s likely you’ll be prompted to set them up to help secure your accounts.

May

• The Evolution of Retirement Savings

  The retirement savings landscape has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. How might these developments affect tomorrow’s retirees?

• Don’t Overlook the Value of Social Security Survivor Benefits

  While life insurance might play a central role after the death of a financial provider, Social Security could also offer another important source of income for survivors.

• The Corporate World Is All-In on AI

  As the race among large tech companies to monetize AI hits full throttle, it’s worth considering how adoption of AI-enabled technologies might affect the economic prospects of businesses and workers.

April

• Medicare or Medicaid?

  It’s easy to confuse Medicare and Medicaid, but there are important differences between the programs.

• New Auto Loan Interest Deduction Explained

  The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) provides an annual deduction of up to $10,000 for interest paid on qualifying new auto loans, effective for tax years 2025 through 2028.

• Is Your Dream Kitchen a Good Investment?

  Considering the potential return on investment before taking on home improvement projects can help homeowners make cost-effective decisions.

March

• No More Groundhog Day for Your Finances: Time for a Financial Wellness Checkup

  Financial habits can repeat themselves, month after month and year after year, until we consciously break the pattern.

• A Roadmap for Your Family

  A letter of instruction could be just as important as a will in helping loved ones settle an estate and move forward with their lives.

• Could an HSA Strengthen Your Retirement Strategy?

  After age 65, retirees can use HSA funds for any purpose without incurring a penalty.

February

• Keeping Cool in Volatile Markets

  Overreacting to market movements or trying to “time the market” by guessing its future direction can create additional risk that could negatively affect long-term portfolio performance.

• Q&A on RMDs

  Here are answers to some key questions about required minimum distributions.

• Retroactive Social Security Benefits: A Chance to Turn Back Time

  Beneficiaries who postpone claiming Social Security past full retirement age have the option of receiving a lump-sum payment for up to six months of benefits when they finally apply.

January

• Strategies for Smarter Giving

  In addition to advancing philanthropic goals, strategic charitable donations may offer tax advantages.

• Surprise! It’s Retirement Time

  Considering some important issues now could provide more options in the event of early retirement.

• Tips to Help Preserve Your Inheritance

  It’s important for heirs to consider how a windfall might be used to strengthen their finances now and over the long term.

December

• Beneficiary Designations: Who Gets the Money?

  It’s a good idea to regularly review beneficiary designations to be sure they are complete and reflect current wishes.

• Unpacking the Real Limitations on Unlimited PTO

  The prospect of unlimited paid time off may be appealing, but there are also some potential pitfalls to consider.

November

• What Happens to Your Time Horizon at Retirement?

  When entering retirement, investment strategy typically shifts from a single, goal-based fixed time horizon to a multilayered, interrelated series of time periods.

• Navigating Medicare Open Enrollment

  The Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7 and allows various changes related to Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Prescription Drug plans.

• Consider Roth for Tax-Free Income

  Roth accounts offer no current-year tax benefit, but they can provide tax-free retirement income.

• Avoiding Probate with a TOD Deed and TOD Account

  In many states, a transfer-on-death (TOD) deed and/or account can help avoid probate without the cost and complexity of a trust.