Newsletters
Will you outlive your retirement income? 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.
June
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HOT TOPIC: Pressure at the Pump: Will High Gas Prices Shake the U.S. Economy?
This article looks at why gas is so expensive, what it might take to stop the upward trend, and the potential effect of high gas prices on consumers and the broader economy.
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REITs Offer Income and Diversification
Most broad stock funds contain real estate investment trusts (REITs), but for a more strategic approach, investors can choose from a variety of REIT funds and individual REITs.
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What Is Asset-Based LTCI?
Hybrid long-term care insurance policies, also known as asset-based plans, combine the benefit of a life insurance policy or an annuity with the availability of long-term care benefits.
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What Can You Learn from Your Tax Return?
Tax season may be over, but a completed tax return offers information that can help with financial strategy for the rest of the year.
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Variable Annuities: Strategies to Help Counter Retirement Risks
Unlike retirement accounts, there are no federal contribution limits for variable annuities, and the investment gains won’t be taxed until they are withdrawn.
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Goodbye Passwords, Hello Passkeys
As major tech companies, apps, and websites make passkeys their default security option, it’s likely you’ll be prompted to set them up to help secure your accounts.
May
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HOT TOPIC: Trade Update: The Supreme Court Stepped In, but Many Tariffs Stand
This article explains the types of tariffs that are still in play and their potential impact on U.S. consumers and businesses.
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Be Storm Smart: How to Prepare for Extreme Weather
More than a quarter of U.S. homes are exposed to severe or extreme weather risk. While homeowners can’t control the forecast, they can take proactive steps to prepare.
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The Evolution of Retirement Savings
The retirement savings landscape has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. How might these developments affect tomorrow’s retirees?
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The Corporate World Is All-In on AI
As the race among large tech companies to monetize AI hits full throttle, it’s worth considering how adoption of AI-enabled technologies might affect the economic prospects of businesses and workers.
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Online Shopping in the Tariff Era
Even small online purchases that are shipped from outside the United States must now pass through customs — and are likely to incur duties.
April
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HOT TOPIC: The Iran War, the Economy, and Your Portfolio
This article looks at the economic impact of the war with Iran, including rising oil and gas prices and the potential effects on inflation, investments, and the broader economy.
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Foreign Stocks Outperformed in 2025
Although U.S. stocks have provided a higher return over the past 20 years, foreign stocks outperformed in seven of those years, including 2025.
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Medicare or Medicaid?
It’s easy to confuse Medicare and Medicaid, but there are important differences between the programs.
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New Auto Loan Interest Deduction Explained
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) provides an annual deduction of up to $10,000 for interest paid on qualifying new auto loans, effective for tax years 2025 through 2028.
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Small Business: Coping with the End of De Minimis Imports
Small businesses must now pay duties on low-value goods they could previously source inexpensively from China and elsewhere.
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Is Your Dream Kitchen a Good Investment?
Considering the potential return on investment before taking on home improvement projects can help homeowners make cost-effective decisions.
November
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HOT TOPIC: Will Tax Law Changes Impact Your Giving Strategy?
New tax rules will determine the deductibility of donations in 2026 for better or worse, which means taxpayers may want to rethink the timing and amount of their donations for 2025 and beyond.
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What Happens to Your Time Horizon at Retirement?
When entering retirement, investment strategy typically shifts from a single, goal-based fixed time horizon to a multilayered, interrelated series of time periods.
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Consider Roth for Tax-Free Income
Roth accounts offer no current-year tax benefit, but they can provide tax-free retirement income.
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Avoiding Probate with a TOD Deed and TOD Account
In many states, a transfer-on-death (TOD) deed and/or account can help avoid probate without the cost and complexity of a trust.
October
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HOT TOPIC: The Fed Lowers Rates in an Economic Balancing Act
This article looks at the Fed’s dilemma in setting monetary policy to address slowing employment with rising inflation, and the potential effects of lower rates on businesses and consumers.
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Life Insurance Might Help During Turbulent Economic Times
During periods of economic uncertainty and stock market volatility, life insurance may be a useful tool to consider.
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How Has SECURE 2.0 Affected 401(k) Plans?
The SECURE 2.0 Act introduced new features designed to make 401(k)s even more appealing to workers.
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Three Ways to Help Build Financial Resilience
Here are some steps to help handle challenging times and potentially emerge even stronger.
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Could Employee Ownership Be Part of Your Succession Plan?
An employee stock ownership plan is a qualified retirement plan that enables a business owner to gradually transfer ownership shares to employees, setting up opportunities to cash out in the future.
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Grocery Games: Strategies to Help Stretch Your Food Budget
Food prices have risen more than 22% since the beginning of 2020, but shopping strategically might help households spend less on groceries.
September
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HOT TOPIC: Mining Maelstrom: Why Rare Earths Are Making Headlines
Outside scientific and national security arenas, many people may not understand the importance of rare- earth minerals. This article helps demystify these critical natural resources.
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Consider Munis for Tax-Free Income
Higher yields have led to record new issues of municipal bonds in 2024 and early 2025.
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Voluntourism: A Vacation That Makes a Difference
A volunteer vacation offers an opportunity to give back, meet new people who share common interests, and become immersed in a different culture.
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Mega Backdoor Roth: A Tax-Friendly Retirement Strategy for Serious Savers
High earners may not be eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA, but some people can use a workplace plan to save more and create a source of tax-free retirement income.
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Why Renters Should Have Their Own Insurance
Young renters who are just striking out on their own may not realize that a landlord’s insurance policy typically will not cover the destruction or loss of the tenant’s possessions.
August
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HOT TOPIC: What’s in the New Tax Legislation?
This article provides an overview of some key provisions in the new tax law, commonly called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
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Have You Set a Retirement Savings Goal?
Completing this simple worksheet can help establish a realistic retirement savings target.
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Investing with Market Cap in Mind
Holding stocks in companies of varied sizes through mutual funds or exchange-traded funds could help increase portfolio diversification.
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How Savers and Spenders Can Meet in the Middle
Couples with opposite philosophies regarding saving and spending often have trouble finding common ground. This article offers tips on working out financial differences.
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Home Appliance Economics
The prices of new home appliances have declined over the last decade, but repair costs have gone through the roof. Here’s what to consider when facing appliance-buying decisions.
July
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HOT TOPIC: Buffett Takes a Bow: 7 Lessons from an Iconic Investor
At age 94, Warren Buffett recently announced his retirement as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. This article focuses on investment fundamentals as well as tips and quotes from the famous investor.
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Will You Pay a Medicare Surcharge?
The standard monthly Part B premium is $185 in 2025, but premiums for both Part B and Part D can vary based on income levels.
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Fine-Tuning with Sector Funds
The stocks in the S&P 500 are classified by 11 sectors, each of which responds differently to market conditions.
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Peer-to-Peer Payments Are Popular, but Be Careful
Making a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment is a convenient way to transfer money to family, friends, or businesses — these precautions can help avoid costly mistakes.
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Individual Bonds vs. Bond Funds: What’s the Difference?
Individual bonds and bond funds can both provide an income stream, but there are important differences.
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Important Tax Breaks for Pass-Through Businesses
Some owners of pass-through businesses may be able to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income and/or take generous deductions for investing in qualified property.