Articles
Welcome to our research center! We've put together a library of information on important financial topics that we believe you'll find helpful.
Simply click on one of the general financial topics below and you'll find a selection of easy-to-understand information sheets about related financial concepts and strategies. This information is updated regularly to reflect the latest facts, figures, legislation, and economic trends.
Estates & Trusts
-
Estate Planning
Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property distributed, but they also go beyond that.
-
Avoiding Probate
The probate process can be lengthy and complex. There are strategies you can use to help avoid the probate process.
-
Charitable Giving
To retain the tax advantages associated with charitable giving, your gift must be made to a qualified organization.
-
Preserving My Estate
Life insurance can be used to help preserve your estate’s value for your heirs.
-
Gifting Strategies
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different gifting strategies available for planned giving.
-
Charitable Lead Trusts
Charitable lead trusts are designed for people who would like to benefit a charity now rather than later.
-
Charitable Remainder Trusts
A designated income beneficiary could receive payment of a specified amount from a charitable remainder trust.
-
Wealth Replacement Trusts
A wealth replacement trust could be used to gift appreciated assets to a charity as well as provide for heirs.
-
History of the Federal Estate Tax
Careful estate planning is still one of the most important ways to manage and protect your assets for your heirs.
Retirement
-
Retirement Plan Distributions
When receiving money accumulated in your employer-sponsored retiremnt plan, you have 2 options: lump sum or annuity.
-
Save Now or Save Later
If you start saving for retirement sooner, the more money you are likely to accumulate and possibly retire sooner.
Tax Planning
-
Tax-Advantaged Investments
Many traditional tax-advantaged investment strategies have gone away, but there are still some alternatives.
-
Tax-Advantaged Alternatives
While stable, CDs can create quite an income tax bill. Fixed annuities and municipal bonds can offer tax advantages.
-
Tax Strategies for Retirement Plans
Consider a trustee-to-trustee transfer to an IRA versus a lump-sum distribution from a workplace retirement plan.
-
United States Tax History
American tax law is a constantly changing landscape. The latest major piece of tax legislation is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
Investing
-
Diversification
An important element to successful investing is to manage investment risk while maintaining the potential for growth.
-
Annuities
An annuity is a flexible financial vehicle that can help protect against the risk of living a long time because it provides an option for a lifetime income.
-
Asset Classes
There are 5 broad asset classes that you should take into consideration when constructing your investment portfolio.
-
Dollar-Cost Averaging
Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a set amount of money on a regular basis, regardless of market conditions.
Cash Management
-
What are some tips for managing my money?
A sound cash management program uses a disciplined approach: accounting, analysis, allocation, and adjustment.
-
How Long Will It Take to Double My Money?
Before making investment decisions, it is helpful to determine the real rate of return on the investment.
-
Biweekly Mortgages
Biweekly mortgage payments can have a dramatic effect on the amount of interest homeowners have to pay.
-
What Are Some Smart Ways to Refinance?
Here are some smart ways to refinance your home.
-
How does inflation affect me?
Historically, one of the best ways to fight the effects of inflation has been to utilize growth-oriented investments.
-
Home Equity Loans
Shifting some debt to a home equity loan, which typically allows int pmts to be tax ded, could have its advantages.
Risk Management
-
Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance differs from permanent forms of life insurance in that it offers temporary protection.
-
Insuring Your Future
To help you choose insurance wisely, determine how much coverage and what kind of policy is best for your situation.
-
Additional Liability Coverage
Consider add'l liability ins. to help protect you from the potentially devastating effects of liability lawsuits.
- HMOs and PPOs
-
Evaluating Insurance Companies
Using a financially sound insurance company is an important part of ensuring your family’s financial security.