During your accumulation years, you may have categorized your risk as “conservative,” “moderate,” or “aggressive” and that guided how your portfolio was built. Maybe you concerned yourself with finding the “best-performing funds,” even though you knew past performance does not guarantee future results. What occurs with many retirees is a change in mindset—it’s less about finding the “best-performing fund” and more about consistent performance. It may be less about a risk cont

When uninsured people end up in the hospital, “sticker shock” can follow. Just a quick look at the current prices for medical procedures can be sobering. How much does a CT scan cost? Between $300-$7,000, depending on where it is performed. Need a stent in your heart? The cost of that delicate procedure can cost between $20,000-$60,000+. How about a knee replacement? The total cost adds up to an average of $25,000.1,2,3 Are these the only costs associated with a hospital or o

As you build your legacy, considering how to leverage your charitable contributions can be a fulfilling endeavor. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can offer an opportunity to support your favorite causes and manage your retirement income. Here are some factors to consider with QCDs and how they've changed based on recent legislation, such as the SECURE Act. What Is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)? A Qualified Charitable Distribution allows individuals aged

When it comes to insuring your second home, you may find that the coverage you need is quite different from what you have on your primary home. The Unique Risks of a Second Home Your current homeowners policy may allow for coverage of two properties under one policy, but because there are unique risks with a second home, a separate policy may be more conducive to obtaining the coverage you need. Here are some of the special risks you may need to cover: Long Periods without Oc

One study found that military personnel have more credit problems and are more likely to make late house payments than their civilian counterparts.¹ While the financial situation of military personnel and their families mirrors the general population in many respects, heavy indebtedness and mismanagement of credit cards may be especially acute issues for service members. Of course, military families face unique challenges, such as deployment to conflict zones, overseas assign

In 1900, the average life expectancy of a newborn was only 32 years old. By 2025, that number more than doubled to 73 years, and the trend is expected to continue.1,2 Living this long may have unexpected tax consequences. Here’s why. Many older life insurance policies mature at a specific age. If the insured individual attains that age, the policy’s cash value may be paid out to the policy owner in lieu of a death benefit payment.3 Tracking Taxes This payout may be taxed as o

In the first quarter of 2025, more than 2,300 small businesses were sold. The median sale price was roughly $349,000, up 4% from the same time last year. 1 As a business owner, ascertaining the value of your business is important for a variety of reasons, including business succession, estate tax estimates, or qualifying for a loan. There are a number of valuation techniques, ranging from the simple to the very complex. Outlined below are three different approaches to valuing

The government prints millions of notes a day. Here's a quick look at what goes into creating a $20 bill and what determines when a bill's lifespan ends. 1 Paper A $20 bill starts out life as part of a large sheet of paper. While most paper is made primarily from wood pulp, the paper used by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing doesn't contain any wood at all. Currency paper is composed of a special blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen. It's made with special watermarks and

Preparing for college while still in high school can be difficult for even the most academically-minded student. These days, you need to excel in the classroom, make sure you're involved in extracurricular activities, and enroll in challenging classes to impress a college admissions board. On top of that, the financial cost of higher education may add to what is already a stressful time in an ambitious student's life. Luckily, with a little preparation, you may be able to mak

According to recent statistics, data breaches have become common in today’s digital world. In fact, it is estimated that more than 350 million Americans have their personal information exposed to data breaches every year. Whether it’s a major retailer, a subscription service, or another online platform, the risk of a data breach is a reality that we all face. 1 Names, email addresses, passwords, and other sensitive information are being swept up by hackers for fraudulent acti

Among the many considerations to ponder when forming your estate strategy, intellectual property (IP) is among the more important and misunderstood. The phrase itself may be somewhat confusing, as people may not know whether it applies to them or their assets. To clear things up, let's start by defining what exactly is meant by intellectual property . IP embraces four distinct areas of consideration: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Let's look at each of th

Suppose your financial objectives include income and leaving a legacy for your heirs. In that case, it's essential to work with a financial professional familiar with your many options, including older tools. Grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs) gained popularity in 2000 after a favorable ruling by the U.S. Tax Court toward a wealthy family in the retail business. This ruling allowed for zeroed-out GRATs, for which annuity payments return the original assets to the grantor