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A strong savings program is essential for any sound financial strategy.

In early 2020, 61% of U.S. workers surveyed said that retirement planning makes them feel stressed.1 Investor confidence was continually tested as the year wore on, and it’s likely that this percentage…

Most people do not pay income tax on assets they inherit, but if they later sell inherited assets such as appreciated securities and real estate, they may owe tax on the capital…

If there’s one financial lesson many people will take away from the pandemic, it’s the importance of a well-stocked emergency fund. In fact, a mid-2020 survey found that respondents’ top financial regret…

After pushing interest rates gradually upward for three years, the Federal Reserve dropped the benchmark federal funds rate to near zero (0%–0.25%) in March 2020 to help mitigate the economic damage caused…

The U.S. tax code generally encourages investments made to strengthen or grow a business. In 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made it possible to write off the full cost…

Saving for retirement is not easy, but using your retirement savings wisely can be just as challenging. How much of your savings can you withdraw each year? Withdraw too much and you…

You may be familiar with the most common types of investment companies : mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) : but how much do you know about a third type: unit investment…

You have decided you need life insurance coverage and are considering buying a term policy. But you ask your financial professional, “Do I get any of my money back at the end…

Accidents and mistakes happen no matter how well a business is run, and the expenses involved in defending a lawsuit could be devastating, whether the owner is found to be at fault…

In March 2020, most state governments ordered nonessential businesses to shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This sudden halt in business activity and the resulting spike in unemployment made a…

There are clear differences between President Donald Trump and Former Vice President Joe Biden : and the political parties they represent : when it comes to tax policies, spending priorities, and overall…

Stock market volatility in 2020 has clearly reinforced at least one important investing principle: Short-term goals typically require a conservative investment approach. If your portfolio loses 20% of its value due to…

The combination of lower tax rates and lower asset values could make this a good time to convert assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Converted assets are subject to…

If you aren’t eligible for a traditional pension, you might consider whether an annuity could play a role in your retirement income strategy. Like all annuities, an indexed annuity (IA) is a…

The extreme market volatility of 2020 has rattled investors’ nerves, but it also can provide an opportunity to diversify at discount prices. One way to diversify the equity portion of your portfolio…

Each year, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) surveys workers and retirees to assess how confident they are in their ability to live comfortably throughout retirement. In 2019, only 67% of workers…

The family drama surrounding an aging media mogul : and his unresolved succession plans : are at the center of a hit television show. For family businesses, succession plans are designed to…