How to Make the Tax Code Work for You
Published 11/15/2022
By May 20, 2022, over 145 million taxpayers had dutifully filed their federal income tax returns.1 And they all made decisions about deductions and credits – whether or not they realized it. When you take the time to learn more about how...
What Is a 1035 Exchange?
Published 11/15/2022
According to the most recent information available, Americans have individual life insurance with a total face value of $12.4 trillion.1 Due to a variety of factors, these individuals may find themselves in circumstances where the specific...
When Life Insurance Becomes Taxable
Published 11/15/2022
According to the most recent estimates from the US Census Bureau, the population of people over the age of 55 grew twenty times faster than the population of people younger than 55 between 2010 and 2020. The fastest growing age group was...
Protecting Your Business from the Loss of a Key Person
Published 11/15/2022
Charles de Gaulle once remarked, “The graveyards are full of indispensable men.” While we know that life goes on regardless of the loss of any “indispensable” person, for a small business, the loss of a key person is...
Insuring Your Second Home
Published 11/15/2022
Vacation home sales rose 57.2% year-over-year by June 2021, much higher than the 20% increase in existing home sales.1 When it comes to insuring your second home, you may find that the coverage you need is quite different from what you have...
Eight Mistakes That Can Upend Your Retirement
Published 11/15/2022
Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible. No Strategy: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at all....
9 Facts About Retirement
Published 11/15/2022
Retirement can have many meanings. For some, it will be a time to travel and spend time with family members. For others, it will be a time to start a new business or begin a charitable endeavor. Regardless of what approach you intend to...
Social Security: Maximizing Benefits
Published 11/15/2022
Most understand that waiting to claim Social Security benefits can result in higher monthly payments. However, many don’t know that there are other ways to maximize their benefits, some of which depend on their marital status....
Budget Check Up: Tax Time Is the Right Time
Published 11/15/2022
Every year, about 150 million households file their federal tax returns. For many, the process involves digging through shoe boxes or manila folders full of receipts; gathering mortgage, retirement, and investment account statements; and...
What Can You Buy With 529 Distributions?
Published 11/15/2022
Some of the biggest challenges many face when it comes to education are financial. Luckily, a 529 college saving plan can help. And they’re not just for college anymore – added to the tuition eligibility are K-12, private and...
Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?
Published 11/15/2022
Investors are routinely warned about allowing their emotions to influence their decisions. However, they are not often cautioned about their preconceptions and biases that may color their financial choices. In a battle between the facts...
Are You Ready for Your Portfolio to Make a Difference?
Published 11/15/2022
Interest in making an impact with one’s investments has grown in recent years, which means many investors may have an increased interest in environmentally or socially focused investments as well. In fact, impact investments account for...
Inflation and the Real Rate of Return
Published 11/15/2022
The real rate of return is an important personal finance concept to understand. It’s the rate of return on your investments after inflation. The real rate of return indicates whether you are gaining or losing purchasing power with your...
Will Power
Published 11/15/2022
Only one-third of adults have a will in place, which may not be entirely surprising. No one wants to be reminded of their own mortality or spend too much time thinking about what might happen once they’re gone.1 But a will is an instrument...
A Checklist for When a Spouse or Parent Passes
Published 11/14/2022
When you lose a spouse, partner, or parent, the grief can be overwhelming. In the midst of that grief, life goes on. There are arrangements to be made, things to be taken care of – and in recognition of this reality, here is a checklist...
Are You Prepared for an Estate Tax Sunset?
Published 11/14/2022
The federal estate tax threshold rose to $24.12 million in 2022 for married couples and $12.06 million for individuals, as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Like several TCJA provisions, the higher estate tax limit is due to sunset...
Mapping the Road to Retirement
Published 12/22/2020
Somewhere along the road to retirement, it is a good idea to consult your “map.” Will your ride be smooth or filled with potholes? How far off is retirement day, and do you have sufficient financial resources to last the journey?...