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.


  • February

    HOT TOPIC: Does the Estate Tax Have a Future?
    For the first time since 1915, the federal government has no law in place to tax large estates when they are transferred to heirs. But will Congress allow the estate tax repeal to stand?

    Are You Making These Cash Mistakes?
    With interest rates at historic lows, what should you do with the money you save?

    Patching the Alternative Minimum Tax
    The future of the AMT is uncertain, yet it is important to consider the possible effects of the AMT on your tax situation.

    Tips for Healthy Life Insurance
    If you are about to retire or have recently entered retirement, it's a good time to consider whether your current life insurance policy meets your needs.

    What Does a Fed Chairman Do?
    The Federal Reserve plays an important role in our economy, and the chairman is its most visible player. His behavior is a good source of clues about what the future may hold.

  • December

    An Extra Layer of Protection
    Umbrella liability insurance can help protect a family from the financial ruin that a civil liability trial could bring.

    Mark Your Calendar
    Once we approach the end of our working years, birthdays take on a renewed importance.

  • November

    Home Equanimity
    The contraction of the housing market has caused many people to take a second look at the way they view their homes.

    The Measure of a Life
    One way to help mitigate the financial blow of the loss of a head of household is through life insurance.

    Playing Catch-Up with Contributions
    Something as simple as increasing your contributions to tax-advantaged retirement programs can go a long way toward helping you pursue your long-term financial goals.

    Measuring the Jobs Situation
    Many people understand that a rising jobless rate is one of the hallmarks of a shrinking economy. But the national unemployment rate does not always reveal a complete picture of the jobs outlook.

  • October

    Estate Conservation You Can Trust
    Trusts are popular estate conservation tools that can help facilitate the smooth transfer of estate assets and maintain the family’s privacy.

    Fixed Annuities May Offer Stability
    A source of guaranteed income may help remove some of the uncertainty associated with retiring when the financial markets are fluctuating.

  • July

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

    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

    HOT TOPIC: Social Security and Medicare in Crosshairs
    An entitlement crisis has been looming on the horizon for several years. Unfortunately, according to the latest reports from the trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds, a spike in unemployment has helped to hasten the arrival of these programs’ insolvency.

    Estate of Emergency?
    To help ensure that an estate is distributed according to one's wishes, it’s important to have certain legal documents in place.

    Testing Your Liability Limits
    This quiz tests the reader’s understanding of personal liability.

  • May

    Celebrate Life and the Benefits of Insuring It
    In addition to the protection it can bring, life insurance can also offer some tax benefits.

    A Question of Identity
    Not only is identity theft costly, it can also be a major hassle that affects a person’s credit score for years. The key to preventing ID theft is awareness.

    The Land of Income Mobility
    In America, just about anyone who is dissatisfied with his income has the opportunity to roll up his sleeves and move into a different income bracket.

  • April

    Never Too Old—or Too Rich—to Consider Life Insurance
    There are many possible reasons to consider owning life insurance, even if you have convinced yourself that it's no longer necessary in your situation.

    Income Now or Later
    Immediate and deferred fixed annuities are insurance products that could help retirees safeguard some of their nest eggs and provide a steady income stream throughout retirement.