When Life Insurance Becomes Taxable
In 1900, the average life expectancy of a newborn was only 32 years old. By 2021, that number more than doubled to 71 years, and the trend is expected to continue.1 Living this long may have unexpected
White Elephant Inheritance
Have you ever had to deal with a "white elephant"? Not the actual pachyderm, but what Merriam-Webster calls "a property requiring much care and expense yielding little profit" or, more simply, "something of little or no value."
TIPS for Inflation
In February 2018, Jerome Powell was appointed as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. He became the 16th chair to take over the helm of the world’s most influential central bank. Among
IRA Withdrawals that Escape the 10% Tax Penalty
The reason withdrawals from a Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) prior to age 59½ are generally subject to a 10% tax penalty is that policymakers wanted to create a disincentive to use these savings for anything other
Orchestrating Your Retirement Accounts
An orchestra is merely a collection of instruments, each creating a unique sound. It is only when a conductor leads them that they produce the beautiful music imagined by the composer. The same can be said about
Should I Accept a Free Credit Lock?
In today's increasingly connected world, protecting your information is arguably more important than ever. Your credit report consists of a slew of personal details, such as your financial activity, credit accounts, loans, and payment history. Because of
Preparing for the Expected
As Teddy Roosevelt once observed, "Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you've got to start young." The challenges seniors have met throughout their lives have made them wiser and stronger, preparing
Inflation and the Real Rate of Return
The real rate of return is an important personal finance concept to understand. It’s the rate of return on your investments after inflation. The real rate of return indicates whether you are gaining or losing purchasing power
Debt Stress
The average American owes $59,580 in debt. Of that $59,580, $41,830 is from mortgage debt, $5,640 is from student loans, and $5,470 is from auto loans. Little wonder that money worries can be a major cause of
Does Your Portfolio Fit Your Retirement Lifestyle?
Most portfolios are constructed based on an individual's investment objective, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Using these inputs and sophisticated portfolio-optimization calculations, most investors can feel confident that they own a well-diversified portfolio, appropriately positioned to pursue
