Newsletters

August

• HOT TOPIC: Real Estate Commission Changes Around the Corner

  The National Association of Realtors is implementing new policies related to how real estate brokers are compensated. Here are some implications for buyers, sellers, and their agents.

• Watch for These Hazards on the Road to Retirement

  The road to retirement is typically not a smooth ride. This article looks at five potential risks that can slow progress along the way.

• Mixing It Up: Asset Allocation and Diversification

  This article explains how asset allocation and diversification can work together to help mitigate portfolio risk.

• After the Loss of a Loved One, Watch Out for Scams

  Scammers often prey on those who are most vulnerable. This article outlines common scams that target people who have lost a loved one.

• Consumer Sentiment: Do Americans See Brighter Days Ahead?

  Why do policymakers pay attention to how consumers are feeling, and what’s behind Americans’ lack of confidence?

July

• HOT TOPIC: The Economic Impact of an Aging World

  This article looks at some of the demographic trends and economic challenges related to global aging.

• Birthday Benefits Quiz

  This quiz allows readers to test their knowledge of the ages related to key federal benefits and tax responsibilities.

• Can Home Improvements Lower Your Tax Bill? It Depends

  Most home improvements are not tax deductible, but certain types of projects might help reduce your tax burden in other ways.

• Saving for College: 529 Plan vs. Roth IRA

  529 plans and Roth IRAs can both be used to save for college. This article compares the features of these two saving options.

June

• HOT TOPIC: Real Estate Roundup: Feeling the Impact of Higher Rates

  This article discusses why the values of U.S. commercial property and homes have performed differently and how lingering weakness in the real estate sector could affect the economy.

• Investor, Know Thyself: How Your Biases Can Affect Investment Decisions

  While traditional economic models assume that people make rational decisions, most humans don’t think like robots. This article summarizes some common biases that can influence financial decisions.

• Do You Need to Adjust Your Tax Withholding?

  After filing last year’s tax return, it may be a good time to adjust income tax withholding. This article explains how to estimate and adjust withholding.

• Are You Spending Money to Keep Stuff You Don’t Need?

  One in 10 Americans leases a storage unit. But for many, it may be worthwhile to let go of unneeded belongings instead.

May

• HOT TOPIC: What Stubborn Inflation Could Mean for the U.S. Economy

  This article looks at some of the reasons behind the inflation numbers, the likely effect on Fed decisions, and the potential economic impact.

• Market Measures: Beyond the Dow

  In addition to the better-known Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 stock indexes, this article provides an overview of some stock indexes that are commonly used as benchmarks.

• Housing Market Trends: Are They Helping or Hurting the Economy?

  U.S. home values held steady in 2023, even as mortgage rates rose to the highest levels in a generation. What could the current state of the housing market mean for the broader U.S. economy?

April

• HOT TOPIC: International Investing: The Diverging Fortunes of China and Japan

  Investing Internationally can help increase portfolio diversification and provide access to opportunities that may differ from those in the United States.

• 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. This article provides an overview of these two types of investments.

March

• HOT TOPIC: Can Productivity Keep Driving the U.S. Economy?

  This article looks at the importance of productivity to the U.S. economy, possible contributing factors to the recent surge, and the prospects for an extended period of strong productivity growth.

• Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2024

  This article presents the IRS’ cost-of-living adjustments for 2024 that affect contribution limits for retirement plans and various tax deduction, exclusion, exemption, and threshold amounts.

• Roth 401(k) News: Is It Time to Rethink How You Save for Retirement?

  High-income participants will not be allowed to make pre-tax catch-up contributions to a traditional 401(k) or similar plan starting in 2026, but they will be able to contribute to a workplace Roth.

February

• Do You Have These Key Estate Planning Documents?

  This article provides an overview of four estate planning documents that almost everyone should have: a durable power of attorney, a medical directive, a will, and a letter of instruction.

January

• HOT TOPIC: SECURE 2.0 Provides New Retirement Savings Options in 2024

  The SECURE 2.0 Act made wide-ranging changes to U.S. tax laws related to retirement savings. This article provides an overview of some important provisions that take effect in 2024.

• SECURE 2.0 Makes It Easier to Give and Receive

  The SECURE 2.0 Act modified the rules for qualified charitable distributions to allow funding a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust from an IRA.