Articles
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.
Market Commentary
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 11, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary - January 4, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 21, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 14, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 7, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 30, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 23, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 16, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 9, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 2, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 26, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 19. 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary - October 12, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 5, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 28, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 21, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 14, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 8, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 31, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 24, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 17, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 10, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 8, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 27, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 20, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 6, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 29, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 22, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 15, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 8, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 1, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 18, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 27, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 13, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 4, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 20, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 6, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 30, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 23, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 16, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 9, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 2, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 24, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 18, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 3, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 27, 2020
Estates & Trusts
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What Key Estate Planning Tools Should I Know About?
Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property distributed, but they also go beyond that.
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How Can a Living Trust Help Me Control My Estate?
A living trust can help control the distribution of your estate upon death.
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What Are the Pitfalls of Probate?
The probate process can be lengthy and complex. There are strategies you can use to help avoid the probate process.
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How Can My Gift Benefit Me and the Charity?
To retain the tax advantages associated with charitable giving, your gift must be made to a qualified organization.
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What Gifting Strategies Are Available to Me?
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different gifting strategies available for planned giving.
Retirement
Tax Planning
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What Is the 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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What Is the Estate Tax?
Everything you own, whatever the form of ownership, is subject to federal, and possibly state, estate taxes.
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What Is the Gift Tax?
The federal gift tax applies to gifts of property or money while the donor is living.
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How Much Money Can I Put Into My IRA or Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan?
IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government.
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What Is a Required Minimum Distribution?
Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account.
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When Must Taxes Be Paid on IRA and Employer-Sponsored Retirement Funds?
With traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans, taxes are not payable until funds are withdrawn.
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What Happens If I Withdraw Money from My Tax-Deferred Investments Before Age 59½
Tax-deferred retirement account withdrawals before age 59½ generally triggers a 10% federal income tax penalty.
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What Is Tax Deferral?
There can be a substantial benefit to deferring taxes as long as possible.
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How Can I Benefit from Tax-Advantaged Investments?
Many traditional tax-advantaged investment strategies have gone away, but there are still some alternatives.
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What Tax Deductions Are Still Available to Me?
Changes to the tax code have left a few key deductions for itemizers, like medical, dental and some business expenses.
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What Is the Most Tax-Efficient Way to Take a Distribution From a Retirement Plan
Consider a trustee-to-trustee transfer to an IRA versus a lump-sum distribution from a workplace retirement plan.
Investing
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What Is an Exchange-Traded Fund?
ETFs have unique attributes and attempt to track all types of indexes, industries, or commodities.
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What Is 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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What Is Diversification?
An important element to successful investing is to manage investment risk while maintaining the potential for growth.
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What Is a Bond?
A bond is simply evidence of a debt from a government entity or a corporation and represents a long-term IOU.
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How Do Mutual Funds and Stocks Differ?
The difference between purchasing an individual stock versus shares in a mutual fund to potentially earn dividends.
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What Is the Difference Between a Fixed Annuity and a Variable Annuity?
Both fixed and variable annuities could be appropriate options for an individual interested in purchasing an annuity.
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529 Lesson Plan: High Scores for 529 Plans
529 plans are tax-advantaged savings plans that generally allow people of any income level to contribute.
Cash Management
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How Can I Better Manage My Short-Term Cash?
There are numerous investment alternatives available to help provide liquidity.
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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What Is Term Life Insurance?
Term life insurance differs from permanent forms of life insurance in that it offers temporary protection.
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What Is Universal Life Insurance?
Consider a universal life insurance policy if you want the flexibility to change your premium or death benefit.
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Am I Prepared for Long-Term Care Expenses?
The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin.
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What Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for those persons age 65 and over. But what does it cover?
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What Are the Basic Types of Life Insurance?
When selecting a life insurance policy, examine all your options, as well as the positives and negatives of each type.