Markets are off to a strong start this year, with the S&P 500 Index up about 14% so far. However, most of those gains came early in the year, and many stocks have stagnated over recent months. While we remain overweight on stocks relative to bonds, this week we explore three things that worry us—and … Read more
The income tax benefits offered by 529 plans make these plans attractive to parents (and others) who are saving for college or K-12 tuition. Qualified withdrawals from a 529 plan are tax free at the federal level, and some states also offer tax breaks to their residents. It’s important to evaluate the federal and state … Read more
Inflation has been on the rise. Investors are not as interested in what’s happening now as they are in what’s happening next. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve (Fed) shared its views at the conclusion of its last policy meeting on Wednesday, June 16. And while the Fed’s position that inflation is likely to be transitory has … Read more
Starting a family is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. However, it will also profoundly impact your financial picture, with a list of expenses that grows by the year. (One estimate pegs the total expenses for a child’s first 18 years at $233,610.)[1] As you begin planning for your first child, consider these key areas … Read more
As the U.S. population continues to age, the “sandwich generation” is caught in the middle, supporting both their parents and their children, whether financially, physically, or emotionally. This generation is the middle-aged generation supporting the baby boomer generation—now the largest generation ever. By 2035, one in three heads of households will be someone age 65 and older. The American population will have … Read more
Student loan debt statistics for the U.S. in 2021 show that 45 million borrowers owe almost $1.7 trillion in debt related to higher education.[i] For people entering the workforce out of college or those otherwise trying to balance student loan debt with mortgage or rent payments, auto loans, credit cards, and other expenses, the desire to … Read more
Rock legend and Black Sabbath front man Ozzy Osbourne revealed that he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In an appearance on Good Morning America, the now 71-year-old musician said he was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disorder last February. “I feel better now that I’ve owned up to the fact that I have a case of … Read more
Even if you’re saving money in a 401(k), IRA, or another type of retirement account, you may not be paying much attention to the specific rules and regulations governing these accounts. After all, if you’re years away from retirement, many of these regulations are likely to change. But a major part of retirement planning involves … Read more
Losing a spouse, whether through death or divorce, can be devastating both emotionally and financially. The loss can take months or even years to adjust to since there is no way to prepare for death or divorce despite having discussed contingencies with each other or their financial professional. When it comes to financial decisions, some things need … Read more
On May 27, 2021, a couple of events in the energy sector occurred that demonstrated the continued mainstreaming of sustainable investing and underscored the risks and opportunities available to investors. While primarily thought of as equity-oriented, sustainable investing is becoming more mainstream in fixed income markets—and companies that fail to acknowledge changing dynamics may potentially … Read more
Fiscal stimulus, which was central to the market rebound in the last year, may start moving to the sidelines over the rest of 2021 and into 2022 as the recovery continues. Economic growth can compensate for the loss of government checks to households and businesses, but potential tax increases may be more challenging for markets … Read more
In today’s economy, offers of an early retirement buyout for a current employee or a pension buyout directed at a former employee are becoming common as companies look for ways to cut costs. Many large employers are offering employees who are not yet at retirement age the option to take an early retirement buyout. For … Read more
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