Newsletters

Forty-three percent of Americans spent more time planning their most recent vacation than planning for their retirement.^1
1 AARP, 2008

Will you outlive your retirement income?  How much liability insurance should you have? Should you add stocks to your portfolio?  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.

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• August

  HOT TOPIC: Michael Jackson's Eccentricities Did Not Extend to His Estate Plan
  Critics are calling Michael Jackson's estate plan a hit. What did the King of Pop do right?

  Municipal Haste
  Municipal bonds offer an opportunity to earn an income that may be free of federal income tax.

  The Long Road Ahead
  The stock market has had its share of roller-coaster thrills lately, but don’t be tempted to react emotionally.

  Note to Self: Check Beneficiary Designations
  Outdated beneficiary forms have the potential to cause needless grief and hardship for surviving loved ones who are your intended heirs.

  Still Time for Stimulus Benefits
  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 offers some short-term tax benefits designed to encourage consumer activity and boost particular sectors of the economy.

  Looking for an End to the IPO Drought
  Even if you never expect to participate in an IPO, it’s wise to keep an eye on the pace of new listings.

• July

  HOT TOPIC: Looking for a Recovery in Odd Places
  Are signs of an economic recovery showing up in hemlines and lipstick sales?

  Get Your Retirement Reality Check
  A retirement needs-calculation goes beyond the commonly suggested target to have 70% of pre-retirement income.

  Higher Education Pays, But So Will You
  It’s likely that admission to the nation’s top colleges and universities will remain competitive, but adequate college savings can help ensure that a student’s opportunity to attend his or her school of choice is not compromised by the lack of resources.

  It's Not Too Late to Consider Life Insurance
  Results from one survey suggest that confidence in financial security tends to increase as life insurance coverage increases.

  Good Care Begins Early
  Ironically, people who avoid important discussions because they don’t want to be a burden are sowing seeds for even greater troubles because they are forestalling preparation and ignoring the risks associated with aging, possibly until it’s too late.

  Stalking the Mighty Consumer
  Economists, traders, investors, and policymakers all take great interest in the financial health of consumers and what they may do next.

• June

  Inflation Goes to College
  Over the past 10 years, tuition and fees have grown more than 4% faster than the rate of general inflation at public four-year colleges and more than 2% faster than inflation at private four-year colleges.

  The Positives of Negative Correlation
  Few asset groups are perfectly negatively correlated, but a portfolio may still be able to benefit from the correlation principle.

• May

  HOT TOPIC: Don't Risk an IRA Rollover Mistake
  A rising unemployment rate means more people face an important decision about what to do with the money in their former employer’s retirement plan. Fortunately, an IRA rollover can help, but only if it's done correctly.

• April

  Avoid the Timing Trap
  Market timing is a risky approach that could have a significant effect on a portfolio’s long-term performance.