Articles
79% of Americans agree they would benefit from having basic financial education and information.
Source: The 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey, The National Foundation for Credit Counseling
Welcome to our research center! We've put together a library of information on important financial topics that we believe you'll find helpful.
Simply click on one of the general financial topics below and you'll find a selection of easy-to-understand information sheets about related financial concepts and strategies. This information is updated regularly to reflect the latest facts, figures, legislation, and economic trends.
Estates & Trusts
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Estate Planning
Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property distributed, but they also go beyond that.
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Living Trusts
A living trust can help control the distribution of your estate upon death.
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Avoiding Probate
The probate process can be lengthy and complex. There are strategies you can use to help avoid the probate process.
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Charitable Giving
To retain the tax advantages associated with charitable giving, your gift must be made to a qualified organization.
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Charitable Remainder Trusts
A designated income beneficiary could receive payment of a specified amount from a charitable remainder trust.
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History of the Federal Estate Tax
Careful estate planning is still one of the most important ways to manage and protect your assets for your heirs.
Retirement
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SIMPLE Plans
The SIMPLE plan may appeal to small business owners as it is easy to set up, administer, and allows for a tax deduction.
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IRA Rollover
If you leave a job or retire, you should consider your options regarding your employer retirement plan assets.
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Roth 401(k)
A Roth 401(k) is funded with after-tax money, and allows for tax- and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings if requirements are met.
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Profit-Sharing Plans
Profit-sharing plans give employees a share in the profits of a company and can help to fund their retirements.
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Money Purchase Pension Plans
A money purchase plan is a retirement plan where employer contributions are based on a fixed percentage of compensation.
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403(b) Plans
A 403(b) plan is a tax-deferred retirement savings plan that can only be offered by a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity.
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A New Chapter for Retirement
With the changing pension landscape, it is important to take charge of your own retirement security.
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Unforgettable Birthdays
There are key dates after you turn 59 that can impact your taxes, Medicare eligibility, and retirement benefits.
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Your Business and Retirement
Allocating too much of your retirement investments to one company, even your own, can be a risky proposition.
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Self-Employed Retirement Plans
Tax-deferred retirement plans for self-employed individuals have higher contribution limits than IRAs.
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Traditional IRAs
If you do not participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you might consider a traditional IRA.
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401(k) Plans
401(k) employer-sponsored retirement plans have many benefits, including that the funds accumulate tax-deferred.
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Roth IRAs
Qualified Roth IRA distributions in retirement are free of federal income tax and aren’t included in gross income.
Tax Planning
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Estate Tax
Everything you own, whatever the form of ownership, is subject to federal, and possibly state, estate taxes.
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Gift Tax
The federal gift tax applies to gifts of property or money while the donor is living.
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Retirement Plan Limits
IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government.
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Required Minimum Distributions
Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account.
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Charitable Trust Tax Benefits
For the grantor, there are a few potential tax benefits that can come with setting up a charitable trust.
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Retirement Plan Taxes
With traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans, taxes are not payable until funds are withdrawn.
Investing
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Dividends
It is important to understand how dividends (taxable payments to shareholders) fit with your long-term goals.
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Mutual Fund Taxes
Mutual fund taxes can be cumbersome, but there are ways to help mitigate the amount of taxes you may owe.
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Diversification
An important element to successful investing is to manage investment risk while maintaining the potential for growth.
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Mutual Funds vs. Stocks
The difference between purchasing an individual stock versus shares in a mutual fund to potentially earn dividends.
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Mutual Funds
A mutual fund is a collection of stocks, bonds, and other securities with certain benefits and risks.
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Dollar-Cost Averaging
Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a set amount of money on a regular basis, regardless of market conditions.
Cash Management
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Effects of Inflation
Historically, one of the best ways to fight the effects of inflation has been to utilize growth-oriented investments.
Risk Management
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Why Purchase Life Insurance
If you have a family who relies on your income, it is important to have life insurance protection.
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Business Owner Policies
A business owner policy is an insurance package that assembles the basic coverages required by a business owner in one bundle.
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Life Insurance for Business Owners
Company-owned life insurance is one way to help protect a business from financial problems caused by the death of a key employee.
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Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance differs from permanent forms of life insurance in that it offers temporary protection.
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Auto Insurance
Even if your state doesn’t require certain types of auto insurance, it may be wise to purchase multiple types to ensure you are covered for a variety of situations.
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Insurance Claims
When it is time to make an insurance claim, it helps if you are familiar with your policies and the steps you should take to file a claim.
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Protecting Your Home
Since your home is one of your greatest assets, you should make sure it is adequately protected. That's where homeowners insurance enters the picture.
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Types of Health Coverage
There are three basic types of medical insurance plans: fee-for-service, managed care, and high-deductible health plan.
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Additional Liability Coverage
Consider additional liability insurance to help protect you from the potentially devastating effects of liability lawsuits.
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HMOs and PPOs
Selecting health insurance is often one of the most important decisions you will make. Do you know the different types?
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Long-Term Care Costs
The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin.
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Medicare Coverage
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for those persons age 65 and over. But what does it cover?