A legal will describes how you want your material assets to be distributed, but how do you leave behind your values? Using an ethical will, also called a legacy letter, you can tell your personal story and communicate your beliefs and life lessons to your family, friends, or community. You can opt to [...]

Financial worries are often cited as a major source of stress. For example, a 2021 study found that even before the pandemic and subsequent economic downturn, a majority of Americans said they felt stressed or anxious about their finances.1 Similarly, in 2022, research revealed that more than seven out of 10 financial planning [...]

Mutual funds pool investment dollars from many individual investors to purchase a group of selected securities aimed at meeting a particular objective. This offers a convenient way to invest across a wide range of market activity that would be difficult for most investors to do by purchasing individual securities. More than 52% of [...]

There's a certain amount of risk that comes with owning a business. Accidents can happen no matter how well a company is run, and a lawsuit could be devastating if the business is found to be at fault. A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure [...]

The mortgage industry has been on a roller coaster ride over the last couple of years. Interest rates for fixed-rate mortgage loans were at historical lows during the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, rising to a 20-year high in late 2022 — and fluctuating ever since.1 Many buyers are finding it difficult [...]

Tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k) plans and IRAs are intended to promote long-term retirement savings and thus offer preferential tax treatment in return for a commitment to keep savings in the account until at least age 59½. Withdrawals before that age may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty on [...]

It's heartbreaking to hear stories of people losing money (even their life savings) as a result of fraud or financial exploitation, especially if they are older and financially vulnerable. In fact, it's quite common. People age 70 and older reported losses of $567 million in 2022.1 You know your parents could be at [...]

To say the economy has been uneven over the past few years is an understatement. Amid these bumpy economic times, why buy life insurance? Here are a few reasons. Protection for Loved Ones Savings that were intended to provide support for you and your family may have taken [...]

Have you thought about how your business would be impacted by the death or disability of you (the owner) or another key employee? It's important that you create a plan to protect your business from such a loss. Explore Life Insurance Strategies Have you calculated the financial impact to your business upon [...]

Retirees face several unique challenges when managing their income, particularly when it comes to taxes. From understanding how taxes relate to Social Security and Medicare to determining when to tap taxable and tax-advantaged accounts, individuals must juggle a complicated mix of factors. Social Security and Medicare People are sometimes surprised to learn [...]