The SECURE Act
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is now law. With it, comes some of the biggest changes to retirement savings law in recent years. While the new rules don’t appear to amount to [...]
Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance
According to industry experts, most people don't have enough life insurance. LIMRA, which keeps close tabs on the industry, recently reported that average coverage equals $163,000, which is equivalent to approximately 3.5 years in terms of income [...]
Perspectives: Winter 2020 Edition
Perspectives: Winter 2020 Edition As temperatures drop and hearths blaze with the year’s first fire, our thoughts turn to the end of one decade and the start of another. After all, gentle ends and hopeful beginnings [...]
New IRS Contribution Limits: Changes for 2020
The IRS just increased the annual contribution limits on IRAs, 401(k)s, and other widely used retirement plan accounts for 2020. Here’s a quick look at the changes. Next year, you can put up to $6,000 in any [...]
How the Federal Reserve Works
Have you ever taken a close look at paper money? Each U.S. bill has the words “Federal Reserve Note” imprinted across the top.1 But many individuals may not know why the bill is issued by the Federal [...]
Succeeding at Business Succession
According to the Conway Center for Family Business, family businesses account for 64% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), yet 57% of family businesses have no formal succession plan.1 While the number may shock you, it is [...]
Year-End Charitable Gifting and You
Are you making charitable donations at year’s end? If so, you should know about some of the financial “fine print” involved, as the right moves could potentially bring more of a benefit to both you and your [...]
Buying vs. Leasing a Car
Some people approach buying a car like they approach marriage, “‘til death do us part.” Others prefer to keep their options open, trading in every few years for the latest make and model, the most cutting-edge technology, [...]
Yours, Mine and Ours: Estate Strategies for Second Marriages
If you are one of the many Americans who are in a second marriage, you may need to revisit your estate strategy1 and your estate management checklist. Unlike a typical first marriage, second marriages often require special [...]
Can Group, Private Disability Policies Work Together?
According to the Social Security Administration, a 20-year-old has a 25% chance of becoming disabled before reaching age 67.¹ Loss of income for such a duration has the potential to cause significant financial hardship. And while Social [...]