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.
Retirement
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SEP IRAs
A SEP IRA is a type of plan under which the employer contributes (up to a certain limit) to an employee’s IRA.
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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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Stretch IRAs
A “stretch” or “multigenerational” IRA may be a useful approach to extend tax-deferred savings that can benefit your heirs for generations.
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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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Why Purchase Annuities
Annuities, an insurance-based financial vehicle, can provide many benefits that retirement investors might want.
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Split-Annuity Strategy
A split-annuity strategy can generate immediate income while potentially stretching some retirement savings.
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Annuity Living Benefits
Living benefits can help protect variable annuity owners from running out of money in retirement.
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How Much Do I Need to Save?
Many realize it’s important to save for retirement, but knowing exactly how much to save is another issue altogether.
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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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1035 Exchanges
A Section 1035 exchange is a tax-free exchange of an existing annuity contract or life insurance policy for a new one.
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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.
Tax Planning
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Capital Gain Tax
Capital gains are profits realized from the sale of assets; a tax is triggered only when an asset is sold, not held.
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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.
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Withdrawing Before Age 59.5
Tax-deferred retirement account withdrawals before age 59½ generally triggers a 10% federal income tax penalty.
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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Exchange-Traded Funds
ETFs have unique attributes and attempt to track all types of indexes, industries, or commodities.
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Growth Stocks vs. Value Stocks
The labels “growth” and “value” reflect different approaches that can be used when making investment decisions.
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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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Stock
Before investing in stocks, it is important to understand some of the basics and the risks involved in owning stocks.
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Zero-Coupon Bonds
Zero-coupon bonds represent a type of bond that does not pay interest during the life of the bond.
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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Annuities as an Insurance Product
An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company to pay you future income in exchange for premiums you pay.
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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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Split-Dollar Life Insurance
Split-dollar life insurance is an arrangement to purchase and fund life insurance between two parties.
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Last-Survivor Life Insurance
Couples who want to help protect their legacy from estate taxes could consider last-survivor life insurance.
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Types of Life Insurance
When selecting a life insurance policy, examine all your options, as well as the positives and negatives of each type.