Newsletters
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.
May
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HOT TOPIC: Robos Have Arrived, But Life Often Calls for a Human Touch
Understanding what robo advisors do, how they do it, and their limitations versus what a human advisor can offer.
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Mutual Benefits: Funds to Pursue Your Goals
An overview of nine different types of mutual funds, ranging from lower risk to higher risk.
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Use Sense with Student Loans
Some guidelines before taking on student loan debt including steps students have taken to make college more affordable.
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Advance Medical and Legal Directives
Expressing your wishes in advance could help loved ones feel more confident making medical or legal decisions.
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Consider Taxation When Setting Compensation
The tax considerations involved in setting a small-business owner’s compensation.
April
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Dividend Investing: Small Payments Can Boost Returns
Focusing on dividends can be appropriate for almost any investor, especially if they are reinvested to purchase additional shares.
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Pick Your Plastic: Debit or Credit?
Some pros and cons for the use of credit cards versus debit cards for purchases.
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Income for the Long Run
A longevity annuity can bring some stability to a retirement strategy by providing a steady income late in life.
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Monetary Policy Update
How the Federal Reserve's monetary policies influence interest rates, economic growth, and inflation.
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Guard Against Growing Cybersecurity Threats
A discussion of some specific cybersecurity threats and tips to help small businesses protect their interests from hackers.
March
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HOT TOPIC: Correction Time: The Market Takes a Hit
A look at some of the factors behind the recent market volatility and why investors should focus on long-term goals.
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Four Financial Numbers You Should Know
Four financial numbers that you should understand (and that could potentially improve your financial situation).
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Phasing Out…or Practice Makes Perfect
Here are some ideas for arranging a phased retirement program, as well as tips for trying a practice run.
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Do You Need an Umbrella?
American society remains litigious — an umbrella insurance policy can provide additional coverage for personal liability.
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Going Public
A discussion on the initial public offering (IPO) process, recent trends, and investment risks.
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Preparing to Withstand the Loss of Key Players
How key-person insurance policies can benefit small businesses.
February
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HOT TOPIC: Business Tax Breaks: Impact on Earnings and the Economy
An overview of the tax changes affecting corporations and pass-through businesses and the potential implications for GDP growth.
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How Long Should You Keep Financial Records?
The beginning of the year is a great time to organize records and discard old documents to make room for new ones.
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Why Hold Money Market Mutual Funds?
Why investors still hold money market mutual funds despite low returns.
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Settling an Estate
Settling an estate can be a difficult and time-consuming job as there are some specific duties that often fall on an executor.
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Disaster Insurance Can Help Your Company Stay Afloat
It's important to identify the potential risks that threaten your business, create a disaster plan, and obtain adequate insurance.
January
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HOT TOPIC: Tax Reform: How Will You Be Affected?
In December 2017, Congress passed a sweeping tax-cut package that fundamentally changes the individual and business tax landscape.
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International Investing: Opportunities Overseas?
Investing in emerging markets and developing economies has both risks and opportunities.
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An Introduction to Trusts
A properly constructed trust can serve many purposes for families — and not just for the wealthy.
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Keeping Savings on Track with a Spousal IRA
IRS rules allow a working spouse to contribute to an IRA for a spouse who earns little or no income.
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Illinois Highlights Credit Risk
A look at the tax advantages and credit risks associated with municipal bond investments.
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No Shortage of Liability Risks
Liability insurance can help offset unforeseen legal costs that could consume a business's profits.
December
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HOT TOPIC: Junk Jitters: What's Behind the Exodus from High-Yield Bonds?
High-yield bond funds experienced a recent sell-off. What role do they play in the current investment climate?
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Consider a Roth for Tax-Free Retirement Income
Roth IRA withdrawal and conversion rules and how they differ from other retirement plans.
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Market Measures: Beyond the Dow
A description of the 5 market indexes that are often used as benchmarks to track various categories of investments.
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Better Late Than Never
Understand the rules and deadlines for the estates of recently deceased taxpayers when seeking portability relief.
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Two Tax-Friendly Retirement Plans for the Self-Employed
Solo 401(k)s and SEP IRAs are relatively simple for small-business owners and self-employed individuals to set up.
November
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PPO or HDHP? Making Health Insurance Choices
The similarities and differences between an HDHP and a PPO plan and contribution limits for health savings accounts.
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FAFSA in the Fall for Lower Stress
New rules enable families to begin the FAFSA earlier using tax returns from two years prior to the academic year.
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Medicare Open Enrollment
The changes Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plan beneficiaries can make during the annual enrollment periods.
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Required Minimum Distribution Rules
When calculating RMDs for multiple accounts, it's important to understand which amounts can be combined and which accounts must distribute separate RMDs.
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Stacking Up Tax Breaks for Business Investments
Tax code provisions may allow for larger, immediate deductions for businesses: bonus depreciation and IRC Section 179 expensing.
October
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HOT TOPIC: After the Storms: The Economic Impact of Harvey and Irma
The potential economic impact of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma on a local and national level.
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Birthday Opportunities
Test your knowledge of the financial benefits and responsibilities related to certain age milestones between 50 and 70½.
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New Life for Your Old Insurance Policy
Consider options that could be more beneficial than surrendering a life insurance policy or letting it lapse.
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The State of State Pensions
A look at some of the challenges facing state pension funds and steps that might help improve the long-term outlook.
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Bracing for Higher Rates
Bond laddering is a time-tested strategy that can help manage interest rate risk.
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Insuring a Home-Based Business
Operate a business out of your residence? Consider an in-home business insurance policy as homeowners insurance coverage may not be sufficient.
September
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HOT TOPIC: Brick-and-Mortar: The Precarious Fate of Traditional Retail
How current trends in the retail industry could affect consumers, workers, and the broader economy.
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Insuring Your College Student
Before leaving for college, be sure your student has his/her insurance needs (medical, auto, personal property) addressed.
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Keeping Up with Quarterly Taxes
Making accurate quarterly payments on schedule can help taxpayers avoid interest penalties for underpayment to the IRS.
August
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HOT TOPIC: Low Volatility: Calm Before the Storm?
Several key factors have helped calm the U.S. stock markets, but consider the potential for future volatility.
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Do You Have Enough Life Insurance?
The differences between term life insurance and permanent life insurance and the advantages of an individual policy.
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Deficit Trading: The Import/Export Imbalance
Some facts to help understand the issues behind the trade deficit headlines, and how China factors into the story.
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ETFs or Mutual Funds: What's the Difference?
The differences between ETFs and mutual funds, with an emphasis on the potential cost and risk factors of ETFs.
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Demographic Dilemma
Some economists believe shifting demographics may be the primary reason GDP growth has been weak versus past recoveries.
July
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HOT TOPIC: Volatility Puts Tech Sector in the Spotlight
What can go wrong when investors chase performance and/or have a portfolio overly concentrated in one sector.
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When a Saver Marries a Spender, Every Penny Counts
Guidelines to help facilitate financial discussions between spouses who have different points of view on spending.
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Surprise! It’s Retirement Time
Consider these tips to prepare for the possibility that you might retire earlier than planned.
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Interested in Interest Rates?
With interest rates expected to keep rising here is a short quiz to test one’s interest rate knowledge.
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Anticipating Inflation?
One way to help protect a bond portfolio from a potential spike in inflation is by investing in Treasury inflation-protected securities.
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Offering Life Insurance as an Employee Benefit
Making life insurance part of an employee benefit program could be a cost-effective way to recruit and retain valuable employees.
June
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HOT TOPIC: Full Employment: What Happens Now?
The current employment picture and why the labor force may continue to hold back the U.S. economy.
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Investing in Your Values
Investing based on principles of sustainable, responsible, and impact could have a positive social outcome.
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Student Loans Meet Retirement
Considering a higher-education loan for yourself or others? Here are some factors older adults should keep in mind.
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Indexed Annuities
The benefits and risks of indexed annuities, including ways in which return rates are calculated.