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Articles

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

Retirement

  • What Is a SIMPLE?

    The SIMPLE plan may appeal to small business owners as it is easy to set up, administer, and allows for a tax deduction.

  • What Is an IRA Rollover?

    If you leave a job or retire, you should consider your options regarding your employer retirement plan assets.

  • What Is a 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.

  • What Is a Profit-Sharing Plan?

    Profit-sharing plans give employees a share in the profits of a company and can help to fund their retirements.

  • What Is a Money Purchase Pension Plan?

    A money purchase plan is a retirement plan where employer contributions are based on a fixed percentage of compensation.

  • What Is a 403(b) Plan?

    A 403(b) plan is a tax-deferred retirement savings plan that can only be offered by a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity.

  • A New Chapter for Retirement

    With the changing pension landscape, it is important to take charge of your own retirement security.

  • Unforgettable Birthdays

    There are key dates after you turn 59 that can impact your taxes, Medicare eligibility, and retirement benefits.

  • Don’t Bank Your Retirement on Your Business

    Allocating too much of your retirement investments to one company, even your own, can be a risky proposition.

  • Will Social Security Retire Before You Do?

    Greater demand is being placed on the Social Security system as the baby boom generation has begun to retire.

  • Social Security Income

    The Social Security Administration’s retirement estimator gives estimates of your future benefits based on your actual Social Security earnings record.

  • What Is a Self-Employed Retirement Plan?

    Tax-deferred retirement plans for self-employed individuals have higher contribution limits than IRAs.

  • What Is a Traditional IRA?

    If you do not participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you might consider a traditional IRA.

  • What Is a 401(k) Plan?

    401(k) employer-sponsored retirement plans have many benefits, including that the funds accumulate tax-deferred.

  • What Is a Roth IRA?

    Qualified Roth IRA distributions in retirement are free of federal income tax and aren’t included in gross income.

Tax Planning

Investing

  • What Are Dividends?

    It is important to understand how dividends (taxable payments to shareholders) fit with your long-term goals.

  • How Are Mutual Funds Taxed?

    Mutual fund taxes can be cumbersome, but there are ways to help mitigate the amount of taxes you may owe.

  • What Is Diversification?

    An important element to successful investing is to manage investment risk while maintaining the potential for growth.

  • How Do Mutual Funds and Stocks Differ?

    The difference between purchasing an individual stock versus shares in a mutual fund to potentially earn dividends.

  • What Is a Mutual Fund?

    A mutual fund is a collection of stocks, bonds, and other securities with certain benefits and risks.

  • What Is Dollar-Cost Averaging?

    Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a set amount of money on a regular basis, regardless of market conditions.

Cash Management

  • How Does Inflation Affect Me?

    Historically, one of the best ways to fight the effects of inflation has been to utilize growth-oriented investments.

Risk Management