Articles
79% of Americans agree they would benefit from having basic financial education and information.
Source: The 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey, The National Foundation for Credit Counseling
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.
Retirement
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Annuity Living Benefits
Living benefits can help protect variable annuity owners from running out of money in retirement.
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How Much Do I Need to Save?
Many realize it’s important to save for retirement, but knowing exactly how much to save is another issue altogether.
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Unforgettable Birthdays
There are key dates after you turn 59 that can impact your taxes, Medicare eligibility, and retirement benefits.
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Roth IRAs
Qualified Roth IRA distributions in retirement are free of federal income tax and aren’t included in gross income.
Tax Planning
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Capital Gain Tax
Capital gains are profits realized from the sale of assets; a tax is triggered only when an asset is sold, not held.
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Estate Tax
Everything you own, whatever the form of ownership, is subject to federal, and possibly state, estate taxes.
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Gift Tax
The federal gift tax applies to gifts of property or money while the donor is living.
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Retirement Plan Limits
IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government.
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Required Minimum Distributions
Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account.
Investing
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Diversification
An important element to successful investing is to manage investment risk while maintaining the potential for growth.
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Investment Risks
Understanding different types of investment risk can help investors manage their money more effectively.
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Asset Classes
There are five broad asset classes that you should take into consideration when constructing your investment portfolio.
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Asset Allocation
Asset allocation is a method used to help manage investment risk; it does not guarantee a profit or protect against investment loss.
Cash Management
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Doubling Your Money
Before making investment decisions, it is helpful to determine the real rate of return on the investment.
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Cash Management Tools
Short-term cash management instruments can help you establish a sound cash management program.
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Money Market Funds
Money market funds can be a highly liquid and effective cash management tool.
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Effects of Inflation
Historically, one of the best ways to fight the effects of inflation has been to utilize growth-oriented investments.
Risk Management
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Long-Term Care Costs
The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin.
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Medicare Coverage
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for those persons age 65 and over. But what does it cover?