Newsletters

Most Americans spend more time planning for vacations and holidays than planning for their retirement.1
1 Employee Benefit Research Insitute, 2007

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.


  • November

    How Much Is Enough?
    When you look at your life insurance coverage as a lump sum, it might seem like a lot of money, but how much is it in relation to your annual income?

    Leaving Memories, Not a Mess
    Although it is not a legal document, a letter of instructions enables you to clearly describe your preferences for a variety of issues, such as organ donations, memorial/funeral arrangements, and other details that are not specified in a will or a trust.

  • October

    Adding Stability in Volatile Times
    One strategy that can add growth potential to a portfolio, without assuming many of the risks associated with the financial markets, involves purchasing an annuity contract from an insurance company.

    Increase Your Protection
    If your net worth exceeds the amount of liability coverage provided by your homeowners and auto insurance policies (each usually tops out somewhere between $300,000 and $500,000), you might want to consider an umbrella liability insurance policy.

    Should You Found a Foundation?
    If you want to control how and where your donations are used, create an entity that has the potential to last for generations, and unite family members behind a worthy cause — and don’t mind some fairly strict paperwork requirements — this type of organization might be worth considering.

  • September

    Beat the Big Three What Ifs
    Taxes, inflation, and medical costs — among other factors — could have an unanticipated effect on your retirement. There may be little you can do to combat them once you are no longer working.

    Stay Off the Phishing Hook
    In the run-up to this year’s April 15 tax deadline, taxpayers forwarded more than 33,000 phishing scam e-mails to the IRS, causing the agency to put phishing at the top of its annual list of scams of concern to taxpayers.

    Charity That Pays
    By organizing your giving, you can make it more effective, allowing your largess to benefit not only the intended charity, but potentially yourself and your heirs. Two popular ways to structure your giving are charitable lead trusts and charitable remainder trusts.

    Life Lessons
    Research shows that most people who own life insurance may not have adequate coverage. The real problem is that many of these people may not find out that they lack the proper coverage until it's too late.

  • August

    The Election and Your Money
    In this year’s election, there are issues, such as energy, free trade, and inflation, playing a role that could have a significant effect on investors and consumers over the next four years.

    It’s Your Home, Not Your Retirement
    Although downsizing or using a reverse mortgage to free up home equity can be appropriate for some older retirees, planning to rely on your home to fund your retirement is a corner you may not want to paint yourself into.

    What’s in It for You?
    The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 contained favorable provisions that will benefit small business. It appears that the government wants to inspire businesses to spend freely, too.

  • July

    Are the Times A-Changin'?
    As the election year rolls along, Americans are facing an uncertain future and an election that could be the harbinger of great change.

    Estimate Your Estate
    It is imperative to have an estate conservation strategy. Taking an inventory of your assets is a good place to start.

    Surviving the Estate Tax with Survivorship Life
    People who never imagined they would have enough assets to trigger estate taxes could be in for a surprise. One way to help plan for this possibility is by purchasing a survivorship life insurance policy.

    It's Not as Bad as You Think
    Economic indicators, including GDP, are signaling continued growth, but consumer confidence is lower than it's been in years. Why do these figures seem to be moving in opposite directions?

  • June

    What Does the Dollar Do for You?
    Which is preferable, a strong dollar or a weak one?

    No Better Time Than Now
    You may not associate this time of year with reviewing the beneficiaries on your life insurance policy — nonetheless, it can be a good time to take this important step.

    For Income, Pick Up This Split
    A split-annuity strategy can help you begin receiving an income stream that has the potential to last well into the future.

    Heir-Tight Estate Conservation
    An incentive trust can help reinforce the lessons you taught your children during your life.

    Population Boomer
    The nearly 80 million boomers, who have reinvented so many aspects of American life, appear poised to leave their unique mark on retirement and possibly transform the economy in the process.

  • May

    Define Your Own Benefits
    Everyone wants to be a happy retiree someday, but there's a big problem.

    New Lease on Life
    Can your risk-protection strategy benefit from a whole-life insurance policy?

  • April

    Conserve Your Estate
    Are your estate strategies up-to-date and ready for whatever legislative changes lie ahead?

    The Cost of Care
    When preparing for life in retirement, you should consider the possibility that you may need long-term care at some point.

  • March

    The Consumer Price Index and You
    Inflation is a long-term, sustained rise in the general level of prices, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

    Weather: It Matters
    Weather is common fare for small talk, but it’s difficult to think of many topics that can have a bigger effect on economic activity.

    Take Advantage of Temporary Tax Laws
    A raft of favorable tax provisions are in effect right now, but you better act fast. Most of them are scheduled to expire within the next two years.

  • February

    A Grand New Contribution
    If you were waiting for the day when you could sock away some serious dough in your individual retirement account, the time has arrived.

    Election Year Antics
    As we enter a campaign cycle that is already unlike others we’ve seen, we can expect to see out-of-the-ordinary behavior by everyone from policymakers to Wall Street traders.

    Retirement, Boomer Style
    As the baby boomers leave the workforce for retirement, the nation is facing a shortage of workers to take their places. This demographic shift is expected to affect not only Social Security and Medicare, but the U.S. economy, as well.

  • January

    The Coming Retirement Boom
    In 2008, a new era will dawn that economists and policymakers have been anticipating for years with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation: baby boomers will begin turning 62, ushering in an unprecedented long-term shift in the balance between working and retired Americans.

    Happy Birthdays?
    The road to retirement winds through several birthdays that affect most Americans’ retirement benefits and tax circumstances.

    Betting Your Life on Low Coverage
    If you are close to retiring or have already retired, you may be wondering whether your life insurance policy meets your current needs.

    Inflation Could Make a Comeback
    Inflation took a big jump in November, the largest monthly increase in two years. But it’s unusual for inflation to flare during an economic slowdown, and this odd pairing puts the Federal Reserve in a tough spot.