Newsletters
Will you outlive your retirement income? Are your financial expectations for the coming year realistic?
Our financial newsletters are designed to provide helpful information on a wide variety of financial topics. Simply click on one of the newsletter topics below to read the article in its entirety.
April
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Breaking Down the Numbers: The Soaring U.S. National Debt
As of March 2025, the U.S. national debt was a record $36.21 trillion, while the 2024 deficit of $1.83 trillion was the third-highest on record.
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Cancer Happens: Insurance Can Help Fortify Your Finances
Although it’s scary to consider the possibility of a cancer diagnosis, it might be helpful to prepare for the financial implications.
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Traditional or Roth Contributions? Think It Through for Future You
When a workplace retirement plan offers both Traditional and Roth accounts, it may help to understand their key features and distinctions.
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The Four-Day Workweek: Is It Destiny or a Distant Dream?
Wider use of artificial intelligence is one reason that the prospect of a four-day workweek (with no loss in pay) is now being taken seriously by companies around the world.
March
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HOT TOPIC: Tariffs: How They Work and Potential Economic Effects
During the first two weeks of February, President Trump authorized two major tariff actions, with more likely to come. This Special Report explains tariffs and how they might affect the U.S. economy.
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Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2025
This article outlines some important IRS cost-of-living adjustments for 2025.
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Phased Retirement Can Help Smooth the Transition
The article explains why a phased retirement program can be a positive experience for employees, employers, and customers.
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Could There Be a Shift from Growth to Value?
While growth stocks have dominated the market for the last two decades, some analysts believe there could be a shift to value stocks, which have outperformed for much of the market’s history.
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Read a Good Beige Book Lately?
The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book provides a concise narrative overview of the economy in each of the 12 Federal Reserve Bank Districts and is readily available to the public.
February
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Financial Safety Nets: Exploring Available Sources of Emergency Funds
Nearly 60% of U.S. adults are uncomfortable with their level of emergency savings. Here are some potential ways to access funds.
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What’s New for 2025?
This article outlines changes that may affect retirement savings, health-care costs, air travel, and consumer credit.
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Indexed Annuities: Potential for Growth with Some Downside Protection
This article provides an overview of indexed annuities.
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Is Tip Fatigue Wearing You Out?
Tipping culture is changing, and consumers are feeling uneasy about where, when, and how much to tip.
January
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HOT TOPIC: Data for Sale: Tips to Help Protect Your Private Information
Recent action by the Federal Trade Commission highlights the potential for abuse by online data brokers. This article offers some tips that might help consumers keep their private data private.
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Home Energy Rebates Could Save You Money
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included two provisions allowing rebates for home energy efficiency retrofit projects and home electrification and appliance projects.
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A Critical Combo: Life Insurance with Long-Term Care Benefits
Although long-term care insurance is typically a “use-it-or-lose-it” proposition, these alternatives can help pay for care if it’s needed or provide a death benefit for beneficiaries if it’s not.
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Extreme Weather and Your Home Insurance: How to Navigate the Financial Storm
Many insurance companies have begun to raise rates, restrict coverage, or stop selling policies in high-risk areas.
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A Mortgage Recast Is an Alternative to Refinancing
When a mortgage is recast, the borrower puts money toward the principal balance of a home loan, reducing the monthly payment.
December
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Charitable Gifts of Life Insurance
Life insurance offers a way to make a substantial gift to charity while also benefiting from favorable tax rules.
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Eight Ideas for Smarter Holiday Shopping
Whether shopping online or hitting the mall this holiday season, these tips might help save time and money.
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An Umbrella Policy Offers Extra Liability Coverage
An umbrella personal liability insurance policy can provide additional coverage in the event of a high-dollar liability claim or legal judgment.
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Two Tax-Friendly Retirement Plans for the Self-Employed
Setting up a retirement plan provides a way to help shelter more income from taxes and save money for the future.
November
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If You Don’t Have a Will Yet, Why Not?
Although 64% of Americans think having a will is important, only 32% have one. This article looks at reasons people don’t have a will and why they need one regardless of the reason.
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FAFSA for 2025-2026 School Year Opens December 1
Following a disastrous rollout last year, this article provides tips for submitting the redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025–2026 school year.
October
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Can You Put the Brakes on Rising Auto Insurance Premiums?
Auto insurance premiums increased more than 18% between July 2023 and July 2024. This article outlines some steps that may help reduce premiums.
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Do You Have Enough Life Insurance?
Life insurance needs change over time. This article presents five guidelines to help determine an appropriate amount of life insurance coverage.
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A Pension Strategy That May Boost Your Income
A strategy called pension maximization may enable a married pensioner to elect the higher payments of a single-life annuity while also providing for the spouse’s financial future.
September
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It’s Complicated: Inheriting IRAs and Retirement Plans
The SECURE Act of 2019 dramatically changed the rules governing how IRA and retirement plan assets are distributed to beneficiaries.
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Thinking of Selling Your Home? Don’t Be Surprised by Capital Gains Taxes
This article explains the basics of capital gains taxes when selling a home.
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Just Your Average Millionaire
The average net worth of U.S. families surpassed $1 million for the first time in 2022, but wealth levels vary greatly by age, housing status, education, and income.
August
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Should You Buy or Lease Your Next Vehicle?
Skyrocketing new vehicle costs and high interest rates could make leasing a cost-saving option. This article looks at the advantages and disadvantages of owning vs. leasing.
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Birthday Benefits Quiz
This quiz allows readers to test their knowledge of the ages related to key federal benefits and tax responsibilities.
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The IRS Wants More Info About Your Gig Income
If you earn money through a payment app or online marketplace, you may be affected by a new tax reporting requirement.
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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.
June
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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.
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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.
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Insurance Gaps May Pose Risks for High-Net-Worth Households
It’s important for affluent families to reassess their liability coverage periodically, to make sure it’s sufficient based on their finances, lifestyles, and the related risks.
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The United States Is Older Than Ever Before
The median age of the U.S. population rose to a record high in 2022, a demographic trend that has implications for the economy and government programs like Social Security and Medicare.
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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
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New SAVE Repayment Plan Offers Key Benefits
In July 2023, the Department of Education launched a new income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans called the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan.
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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?
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Where Will You Live as You Grow Older?
Many people would rather not think about the consequences of aging in general, much less that they might eventually need to rethink their living situation.