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Investing in Today's Economy

Financial Services experts share relevant insights and ideas.

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Published in Investing in Today's Economy

  • Article

    Investing with a Purpose

    Each client presents a unique set of circumstances, so our first priority is to establish a professional relationship based on mutual respect and trust. We listen carefully to gain an understanding of the client’s concerns, preferences, and objectives so we can provide advice and guidance that is tailored to their ind...

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  • Article

    HOW EMPLOYEE FINANCIAL EDUCATION CAN IMPROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE

    EMPLOYEE DISTRACTION Whether you are the owner of a small business or the HR Manager of a corporation, it is important to recognize that employees at work can easily be distracted by personal financial concerns. According to a report issued by the Federal Reserve, 15 to 20 percent of employees have financial problems...

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  • Article

    Wills, Living Wills & Health Care Proxies: A Solid Foundation for Estate Planning

    When it comes to estate planning, three key documents are the last will and testament, the living will, and the health care proxy: A last will and testament (commonly called a “will”) contains instructions that take effect after an individual’s death – to distribute property, pay debts, and make arrangements for buria...

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  • Article

    Giving It Away to Charity: A Guide to Philanthropy

    “Philanthropy” is defined as the act of making gifts of personal resources to charities. These resources can include donations of one’s time, energy, money and property. Millions of Americans perform simple acts of philanthropy, such as donating clothing to homeless shelters. This article focuses on how individuals ca...

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  • Article

    How to Look Behind Mutual Fund Performance Numbers

    If you are a mutual fund investor, it’s hard to resist peeking at those performance reviews published every year — the ones that list the top-performing funds. Perhaps you’re hoping that your fund will be among them, or you may be seeking new investment ideas. In either case, mutual fund performance statistics can be...

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  • Article

    The Value of Diversification

    We’ve all heard the warnings about “putting all your eggs in one basket.” When it comes to diversifying your investments, that adage is not only relevant: It could mean the difference between financial success and failure. Investment diversification involves choosing a wide array of investments to help protect your po...

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  • Article

    Discover the Benefits of an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust

    The affluent have always had access to strategies designed to help them pass money to their heirs with minimal tax obligations. One of the most common estate tax planning strategies is an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT). An ILIT is easy to understand, relatively easy to implement, and in many situations, avoid...

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  • Article

    Giving It Away to Charity: A Guide to Philanthropy

    “Philanthropy” is defined as the act of making gifts of personal resources to charities. These resources can include donations of one’s time, energy, money and property. Millions of Americans perform simple acts of philanthropy, such as donating clothing to homeless shelters. This article focuses on how individuals ca...

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  • Article

    Take the Right Steps to Protect Your Retirement Income

    Saving for retirement: It used to be something you could count on your employer to do for you. But not anymore. Thanks to the increasing use of 401(k) and other types of contributory retirement plans over the past 30 years, the percentage of private-sector workers who qualify for the guaranteed retirement income provi...

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  • Article

    Bricks for Building Your College Funding Plan

    College costs continue to skyrocket – at a pace that far exceeds the rate of inflation. But there is a bright side to planning for college expenses, and it’s getting a little brighter all the time – thanks to federal tax breaks that can make paying for college more affordable. The key point to remember is that you can...

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  • Article

    Making the Most of Roth IRA Opportunities

    Although Roth IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) have been around for years, they initially were not available to many higher-income individuals due to restrictions imposed by Congress, which limited those of high net worth from contributing to these accounts. Under the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Ac...

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  • Article

    Disability Income Insurance What Every Business Owner Needs to Know

    Most people know they need to insure their life, their car, and their home or condo. But they often overlook insuring their most important asset — their ability to earn an income. Your income is the primary source of funding for a lifetime of things, from basic necessities to the hopes and dreams you have for yourself...

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  • Article

    How to Prepare for a Retirement Plan Distribution

    One of the most important financial decisions that many people make involves the distribution of money from one or more retirement plans. When the time comes to begin making withdrawals, many plan participants are not prepared to make the decisions that may be right for them. Often, they don’t understand the choices a...

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  • Article

    How to Select a Financial Professional

    Once you’ve decided to get serious about financial planning or investing, one of your next steps may be to seek professional help. Perhaps relatives or friends are recommending financial professionals to you. Maybe you know some financial professionals yourself. What is the smart way to choose financial planning advic...

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  • Article

    A Guide on the Road to Retirement

    The title of the Beatles’ song “The Long and Winding Road” could apply to the journey toward a comfortable retirement. For those who have the foresight to start preparing in their 20s, the journey could take 40 years or more. Even those who procrastinate might have 20 or 30 years to prepare. No matter how long the roa...

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  • Article

    The Government Changes Social Security

    Retirement income is one of the most important aspects of a successful retirement and the type of life-style one can enjoy throughout retirement. One of the cornerstones for income during retirement is Social Security which, on average, amounts to about 40% of the total retirement income. Structuring the highest legal...

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  • Article

    Time to Conduct Your Own Year-End Financial Review

    With the holiday season upon us, I expect most people are caught up in the rush and excitement leading up to Christmas. But if you can set aside an hour or two, this is an ideal time to conduct your own year-end financial review. This is a great way to determine exactly how your year went, take stock of your current s...

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  • Article

    The State of Retirement Readiness In America Today

    When it comes to Retirement Readiness, we’re facing a crisis of epic proportion. Many Americans have no idea how far behind the Retirement Planning 8 Ball they really are. Whether you’re retired or very close to it, whether you’ve accumulated a couple hundred thousand dollars or several million, planning for your reti...

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  • Article

    Securing Income After Retirement — Harder Than Ever, But It Can Be Done!

    Here’s how to maximize your nest egg You made it! After years of hard work, you’ve reached retirement with some money set aside to provide a steady income now that you’re no longer working. Time to sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy the fruits of your labor! Right? Well… not quite. While you certainly should enjoy...

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  • Article

    SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE — UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS

    Social Security is a crucial piece of any retirement income planning for most retirees. On average, 40 percent of a retiree’s income is from Social Security Benefits. But there’s more to it than simply signing up. The monthly amount you receive can vary substantially based upon a number of factors such as age, marital...

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  • Article

    At last! The Annuity that Corporate Investors Choose is Now Available to YOU!

    It’s an age-old question: where can you invest your hard-earned money that brings both safety as well as competitive returns? Considering today’s volatility in the stock and bond markets, the uncertainty of our economy, gridlock in Washington, and the fact that interest rates from banks are near all-time lows, you may...

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  • Article

    Investing in Bonds or Bond Funds in a Rising Rate Environment

    Fixed income securities, including individual bonds and bond funds, have historically been the primary tool used to generate income for retired investors. However, the task of generating income has become very difficult. Interest rates are at near record lows and monetary policy uncertainty evidently has resulted in i...

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