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Fifty-seven percent of American workers have saved less than $25,000 for retirement, and 28% have saved less than $1,000. ¹
Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2013

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.

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• June

  HOT TOPIC: Putting Market Records in Perspective
  This article presents some key issues for investors to consider regarding the market in the context of the broader economy.

  Investing Without Borders
  International investing offers an opportunity to pursue potential economic growth outside the United States, but it carries additional risks.

  Save as Much as You Want — Tax Deferred
  There are other savings options available for those who want to contribute more to a tax-advantaged retirement plan than annual limits allow.

  Disability Income Insurance
  Proper insurance coverage can help ensure your income, assets, and lifestyle are not at risk from a potential disability.

  Sandy Delivered Hard Knocks
  Superstorm Sandy demonstrated the importance of adequate insurance protection and the need to reduce uninsured losses.

  Expanding a Student’s College Options
  To help students cover rising higher-education costs, it may be wise to start saving as early as possible.

• May

  HOT TOPIC: Sequester Under Way
  The sequestration (mandated federal budget cuts) could affect you, your community, and the U.S. economy in general.

  Fraud Never Sleeps
  Fraud accounted for more than half of the 1.8M consumer complaints received by the Federal Trade Commission in 2011.

  Moving On and Rolling Over
  Transitioning workers must decide what to do with savings accumulated in their employer-sponsored retirement plans.

  Signs That You May Not Be Ready to Retire
  Some warning signs that you might not be ready to go full speed ahead with the transition from worker to retiree.

  Sector Investing
  The composition, risks, and portfolio roles of sector funds typically differ from broader-based stock funds.

  Businesses Face Health-Care Decisions
  Both large and small business owners may want to pay attention to the Affordable Care Act’s tax implications.

• April

  HOT TOPIC: The Recovering Housing Market
  The housing recovery might become an engine for the broader U.S. economy in 2013 and beyond.

  How Much Do You Need To Save?
  Some variables to consider in determining how much a worker needs to accumulate for retirement.

  An Opportunity to Build Retirement Savings?
  How workers could accumulate extra retirement savings by maximizing contributions to retirement plans when children leave home.

  Understanding Beneficiary Designations
  The implications of per stirpes and per capita designations when designating primary and contingent beneficiaries.

  A Legacy with a Special Purpose
  Parents can use certain trust provisions to arrange care for underage or disabled children.

  Setting the Stage for Retirement Income
  In a 2012 survey, 63% of respondents said market volatility makes them more likely to consider buying an annuity.

• March

  HOT TOPIC: Fiscal Cliff Deal Settles Tax Issues
  Some key federal tax policies were changed, extended, or made permanent by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.

  A Closer Look at Closed-End Funds
  The potential benefits and risks of closed-end funds.

  Are You Ready for E-Social Security?
  How the Social Security electronic payment system can help protect your account from fraud and other benefits.

  Making Distribution Decisions in Retirement
  It’s important to follow a sound portfolio withdrawal strategy to help you live comfortably in retirement.

  Considering the Costs of Long-Term Care
  About seven out of 10 people over age 65 are expected to need some form of long-term care during their lifetimes.

  Tablets May Help Simplify Small-Business Tasks
  Innovative apps for touch-screen tablets are changing the way some companies conduct business on a daily basis.

• February

  The Affordable Care Act Goes into Action
  The Affordable Care Act’s next phase of implementation in 2013 may affect taxpayers and consumers.

  Updating Heirs on Your Accounts
  The beginning of the year is a good time to review beneficiary designations to make sure they reflect current wishes.

  Libor Levels
  An introduction to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a global benchmark for short-term interest rates.

  Steady Income for a Long Life
  Introducing longevity insurance and how it could provide a steady income stream when you reach a specific age.

  Here Comes Another Earnings Season
  Publicly traded companies are required to report their financial results to regulators and shareholders quarterly.

  Making Your Own Retirement Opportunities
  This article focuses on the potential tax benefits and contribution limits of solo 401(k) plans and SEP IRAs.

• January

  HOT TOPIC: Disastrous Sandy: The Financial Effects of a Historic Storm
  The financial effects of Sandy, the largest tropical weather system ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.

  The Risk of a “Flight to Safety”
  While money market funds could play a role in your financial strategy, it’s important to understand their limitations.

  Cost of Early Retirement Plan Withdrawal
  Why early retirement plan withdrawals could be more costly than they might seem.

  Having a Backup Plan
  A look at the potential benefits of an individual disability income insurance policy.

  Understanding High-Deductible Medical Plans
  A look at HSA rules, tax implications, and maximum coverage levels, as well as potential benefits and drawbacks.

  Adding Exports to Growth Strategies
  Some reasons why more small firms are incorporating exports into their business plans.

• December

  HOT TOPIC: QE3: Is the Third Time the Charm?
  The potential benefits and risks of QE3, and how it differs from QE1, QE2, and Operation Twist.

  Big, Medium, and Small: Spreading the Risk
  Comparing large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks and how they can be used in a portfolio.

  An Introduction to Trusts
  This article presents some trust basics and describes how a trust could help reduce or avoid the costs of probate and estate taxes.

  Growing Interest in ETFs
  ETF basics and how they can be used appropriately in investment strategies.

  Family Limited Partnerships
  Family Limited Partnerships: How they work and their potential role in business succession and estate planning.

• November

  End of Year Tax Tips
  Now may be a good time to consider some steps that could help reduce your 2012 income tax liability.

  The Dow Then and Now
  A brief history of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and how it has evolved with the American economy.

  The Attraction of Bonds
  The fundamentals of bond and bond mutual funds and the role they can play in an investment portfolio.

  Looking Beyond Your Credit Score
  Baby boomers and people aged 66 and older typically have higher credit scores, but may still face credit challenges.

• October

  HOT TOPIC: Potential Impact of the 2012 Drought
  This article examines the potential implications of the 2012 drought for consumers and the U.S. and global economies.

  More Affordable than You Might Think
  The appropriate amount of life insurance coverage to help provide for loved ones is an important consideration.

  Graduating with Debt
  Consider going to college as an investment and saving up to go can help reduce potential debt.

  Introducing UITs
  This basic primer on UITs describes how they operate, tax implications, and potential investment risks.

  Take Advantage of Medicare Open Enrollment
  Medicare open enrollment extends from October 15 to December 7. Examine plan benefits and consider your options.

  Small Firms Still Face Credit Challenges
  This article takes a look at how small businesses are coping with today’s challenging credit environment.

• September

  HOT TOPIC: Rediscovering Fossil Fuels: Could Energy Boom Transform the Economy?
  Fossil fuel discoveries could affect supplies, prices and the potential implications for consumers, businesses, and the economy.

  How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
  40% of consumers believe they do not have enough life insurance to meet their families’ long-term needs.

  Becoming a More Rational Investor
  Recent research in behavioral finance and neuroscience looks at how and why investors react to gains and losses.

  Consider These TIPS
  Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities may be worth considering to help protect your savings from future inflation.

  Surprise! It’s Retirement Time
  Some of the key issues that pre-retirees should consider to help ease the transition into retirement.

  Taming Taxes
  Helping taxpayers evaluate their eligibility for the home-office tax deduction.

• August

  HOT TOPIC: The Affordable Care Act: Where Do We Go from Here?
  A look at the Supreme Court’s decision on ACA and its potential effects on health care and the economy.

  The Benefits of Giving
  Donating to charity could help ease your tax burden, but you need to understand the rules and keep appropriate records.

  Understanding Your Social Security Options
  Some strategies for increasing monthly and lifetime Social Security benefits based on various situations.

  Inherited IRAs Come with Critical Choices
  How inherited IRAs work, and some common strategies for spouses, children, and others.

  Following the Leading Index
  The Conference Board replaced a few components of its Index of Leading Indicators with others that may be more accurate.

  The ABCs of Business Structure
  Comparing the different options for incorporating your new or growing business.

• July

  What’s Your Retirement Vision?
  Workers of all ages should factor the kind of retirement lifestyle they want into their saving and investment strategy.

  Investing When Rates Are Low
  Some considerations for investing in the current low-interest-rate environment.

  Costs of Caregiving
  It may be prudent to consider the cost of long-term care into your retirement plans.

  Following the Federal Reserve
  A look at the Fed’s recent policy moves, including some of the unprecedented actions it has taken.

  What Is Your Business Worth?
  Some reasons why a professional valuation could be useful for business, tax, and retirement planning.