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Best-Performing Asset Classes
According to Yale University's Crash Confidence Index, only about 24% of investors are confident the stock market will not crash sometime during the next six months.1 If fear leads investors to avoid the entire investment class, they...
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A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
Chris Rock once remarked, “You don’t pay taxes – they take taxes.” That applies not only to income but also to capital gains. Capital gains result when an individual sells an investment for an amount greater...
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Insurance Needs Assessment: For Empty Nesters and Retirees
With the children now out of the house, financial priorities become more focused on preparing for retirement. At this stage, you may very likely be at the height of your earning power and fast-approaching peak savings as you lay the...
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Filing Final Tax Returns for the Deceased
When a family member passes away, there are many decisions that need to be made and many emotions to handle. The last thing anyone thinks about is taxes. Unfortunately, even the deceased can't escape taxation. If the departed family...
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Four Really Good Reasons to Invest
Forty-two percent of Americans do not own any stocks or stock-related investments, according to a recent Gallup poll.1 Individuals may cite different reasons for not investing, but with important long-term financial goals, such as...
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Social Security: Maximizing Benefits
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....
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Keep Your Umbrella Handy
In 2021, the U.S. had a record 24.5 million millionaires, up from 202 million in the previous year. An increase in personal wealth may bring greater financial flexibility; it may also bring greater liability. Individuals with high net...
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Red Flags for Tax Auditors
No one wants to see an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) auditor show up at their door. The IRS can’t audit every American’s tax return, so it relies on guidelines to select the ones most deserving of its attention. Here are...
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What Is a 1035 Exchange?
According to the most recent information available, Americans have individual life insurance with a total face value of $12.8 trillion.1Due to a variety of factors, these individuals may find themselves in circumstances where the...
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3 Estate Challenges for Blended Families
Preparing your estate can be complicated, and if you’re a part of a blended family, estate decisions can be even more complex and nuanced. Blended families take on many forms, but typically consist of couples with children from...
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The Sequence of Returns
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE "SEQUENCE OF RETURNS"? The phrase describes the yearly variation in an investment portfolio's rate of return. But what kind of impact do these deviations from the average return have on a portfolio's final...
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Why Medicare Should Be Part of Your Retirement Strategy
MEDICARE TAKES A LITTLE TIME TO UNDERSTAND.As you approach age 65, familiarize yourself with its coverage options, costs, and limitations.CERTAIN FEATURES OF MEDICARE CAN AFFECT HEALTH CARE COSTS AND COVERAGE.Some retirees may do okay...
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When Should You Take Social Security
The Social Security program allows you to start receiving benefits as soon as you reach age 62. The question is, should you?Monthly payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits. The longer you wait (up...
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Who Is Your Trusted Contact?
INVESTMENT FIRMS HAVE A CLIENT SERVICE FEATURE THAT MAY BE A BENEFIT TO CERTAIN INVESTORS. They will ask you whether you would like to provide the name and information of a trusted contact.1You do not have to supply this...
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Why Regular Rebalancing Makes Sense
EVERYONE LOVES A WINNER. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach?It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over time,...
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The Financial Literacy Crisis
Imagine driving a car without a basic understanding of the rules of the road or even how to operate it. Scary thought.Here’s another scary circumstance – one that is all too real. Many Americans are making financial...
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Three Key Questions to Answer Before Taking Social Security
Social Security is a critical component of the retirement financial strategy for many Americans, so before you begin taking it, you should consider three important questions. The answers may affect whether you make the most of this...
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Volunteering in Retirement
This generation got no destination to hold...We are volunteers of America”“Volunteers” by Jefferson AirplaneThose of a certain age will recall these Jefferson Airplane lyrics as a call to action, though for a...
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Women and Financial Strategies
Women who share money management duties with their partners tend to take on a lion’s share of the responsibility for the household finances. Yet only 18% of women feel very confident in their ability to fully retire with a...
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What Is a Roth 401(k)?
While many people are familiar with the benefits of traditional 401(k) plans, others are not as acquainted with Roth 401(k)s.Since January 1, 2006, employers have been allowed to offer workers access to Roth 401(k) plans. And some have...
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Split Annuity Strategy
When financial markets turn volatile, some investors show their frustration by fleeing the markets in search of alternatives that are designed to offer stability.For example, in the first quarter of 2020, the S&P 500 lost nearly 20% of...
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Find That Lost Retirement Account
FIND THAT LOST RETIREMENT ACCOUNTDo you have a long-lost retirement account left with a former employer? Maybe it’s been so long that you can’t even remember. With over 24 million “forgotten” 401(k) accounts...
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A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List
John and Mary are nearing retirement and they have a lot of items on their bucket list. Longer life expectancies mean John and Mary may need to prepare for two or even three decades of retirement. How should they position their...
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Catch-Up Contributions
A recent survey found that 28% of workers are very confident about having enough money to live comfortably through their retirement years. At the same time, 27% are not confident.1In 2001 congress passed a law that can help older...
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New Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released new limits for certain retirement accounts for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached...
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Your Changing Definition of Risk in Retirement
During your accumulation years, you may have categorized your risk as “conservative,” “moderate,” or “aggressive” and that guided how your portfolio was built. Maybe you concerned yourself with...
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Asset Allocation
If you live in or have visited a big city, you’ve probably run into street vendors – people who sell everything from hot dogs to umbrellas – on the streets and sidewalks. Many of these entrepreneurs sell completely...
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Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy
One of the most well-known investors of the 20th Century, Benjamin Graham, said that "the investor's chief problem—and even his worst enemy—is likely to be himself."What Graham understood—and modern research is...
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Investing for Impact
Many investors are looking to build a portfolio that reflects their socially responsible values while giving them the potential for solid returns. That’s where SRI Investing, Impact Investing, and ESG Investing may play a role.In...
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A Brief History of Estate Taxes
Federal estate taxes have been a source of funding for the federal government almost since the U.S. was founded.In 1797, Congress instituted a system of federal stamps that were required on all wills offered for probate when property...
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A Living Trust Primer
A living trust is a popular consideration in many estate strategy conversations, but its appropriateness will depend upon your individual needs and objectives.WHAT IS A LIVING TRUST?A living trust is created while you are alive and...
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The Utility of Sector Investing
There is a growing popularity among individuals to broaden their investment strategy beyond conventional allocations and investment styles. Some see sector investing as a way to seek new opportunities for enhanced portfolio performance...
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Managing an Inheritance
INHERITING WEALTH CAN BE A BURDEN AND A BLESSING. Even if you have an inclination that a family member may remember you in their last will and testament, there are many facets to the process of inheritance that you may not have...
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The Cost of Procrastination
Some of us share a common experience. You're driving along when a police cruiser pulls up behind you with its lights flashing. You pull over, the officer gets out, and your heart drops.“Are you aware the registration on your car...
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Building a Solid Financial Foundation
When you read about money matters, you may see the phrase, “getting your financial house in order.” What exactly does that mean?
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Trends in Charitable Giving
According to the most recent report by Giving USA, Americans gave a record-breaking $471 billion to charity in 2020.1Americans usually give to charity for two main reasons: To support a cause or organization they care about, or to...
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Assess Life Insurance Needs
If your family relies on your income, it’s critical to consider having enough life insurance to provide for them after you pass away. But too often, life insurance is an overlooked aspect of personal finances.In fact, according...
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9 Facts About Social Security
How much do we really know about Social Security?
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Eight Mistakes That Can Upend Your Retirement
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.
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Avoiding Cognitive Decline
Of those aged 65 and older, 15 to 20 percent have mild cognitive impairment. People living with mild cognitive impairment are more likely to develop Alzheimers, and almost two-thirds of people currently living with Alzheimers are women.
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Breaking Down the Parts of Medicare
Generally, there are different parts of Medicare that help cover specific services.
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How Retirement Spending Changes With Time
New retirees sometimes worry that they are spending too much, too soon. Should they scale back? Are they at risk of outliving their money?
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Prescription Drug Benefits Under Medicare (Part D)
Medicare’s prescription drug benefit (Part D) is the part of Medicare that provides outpatient drug coverage.
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Revising Estate Strategy Assumptions
When the rules of the game change, tactics should follow in response to the new landscape.
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Five Most Overlooked Tax Deductions
Who among us wants to pay the IRS more taxes than we have to?
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Tax Efficiency in Retirement
Will you pay higher taxes in retirement? It’s possible.
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Spotting Credit Trouble
American households with credit card balances carry an average debt of $8,602.1.
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Caring for Aging Parents
Thanks to healthier lifestyles and advances in modern medicine, the worldwide population over age 65 is growing.
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Critical Estate Documents
There are many critical estate documents that you need to have a solid understanding of as you get older.
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What to Look for in an Extended-Care Policy
Extended-care coverage can be complex. Here’s a list of questions to ask that may help you better understand the costs and benefits of these policies.
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Estate Management Checklist
Do you have everything ready on your estate management list?
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IRA Withdrawals that Escape the 10% Tax Penalty
Prior to age 59½, you generally subject to a 10% tax penalty because policymakers wanted to create a disincentive use for savings for anything other than retirement.
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Please Leave Home Without It
Concerns over identity theft continue to grow, especially with the news of data breaches at major companies and financial institutions.
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The Investment Risk No One’s Ever Heard Of
Knowledgeable investors are aware that investing in the capital markets presents any number of risks.
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To Catch a Thief
Many Americans have taken steps in recent years to protect their identity.
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Will Power
Only 45 percent of adults have a will or other estate documents in place, which may not be entirely surprising
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And the Executor Is
You might give special consideration to someone who is well organized and capable of handling financial matters for your will.
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Healthcare Costs in Retirement
In a 2021 survey, 32% of all workers reported they were either “not too” or “not at all” confident that they would have enough money to pay for their medical expenses in retirement.
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How Will Working Affect Social Security Benefits?
In a recent survey, 68% of current workers stated they plan to work for pay after retiring.1
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Important Birthdays Over 50
Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-a-half“ to make sure everyone knows they’re closer to the next age than the last.
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Medicare vs. Medicaid
Medicare and Medicaid are two separate, government-run programs. They are operated and funded by different parts of the government and primarily serve different groups.
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Mortgages in Retirement
Anyone who has gone through the process of mapping out their retirement knows there can be a lot to keep in mind.
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Put It in a Letter
Most people don’t spend too much time thinking about their own funeral, and yet many of us have a vision about our memorial service or the handling of our remains.
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Revising Estate Strategy Assumptions
When the rules of the game change, tactics should follow in response to the new landscape
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Social Security Benefits: How Much Will I Receive
Next to “When should I claim Social Security benefits?”, one of the more common questions people have is “How much will I receive?”
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Social Security: Five Facts You Need to Know
Social Security can be complicated, and as a result many individuals don’t have a full understanding of the choices they may have. Here are five facts about Social Security that are important to keep in mind.
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Social Security: The Elephant in the Room
For most Americans, Social Security has represented nothing more than some unavoidable payroll deduction with the positively cryptic initials of “FICA” and “OASDI".
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Thinking of Retiring Abroad?
According to a 2017 report from International Living Magazine, Mexico tops the list of places to retire abroad. Panama ranks second, followed by Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Colombia.
Read MoreAmerican Rescue Plan Act
The Cetera Advanced Planning Group has released an overview of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This provides explanation and analysis on how this may affect your financial planning interests. This overview provides information...
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Understanding Extended Care
Addressing the potential risks of extended term care expenses may be one of the biggest financial challenges for individuals who are developing a retirement strategy.
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What's New for Social Security?
Whether you’re applying for Social Security in the future or currently receiving benefits, there are some important changes to keep in mind.
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Where Will Your Retirement Money Come From?
For many people, retirement income may come from a variety of sources. Here’s a quick review of the six main sources:
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