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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.

Tax Planning

Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account.

Estates & Trusts

A living trust can help control the distribution of your estate upon death.

Cash Management

Before making investment decisions, it is helpful to determine the real rate of return on the investment.

Cash Management

A sound cash management program uses a disciplined approach: accounting, analysis, allocation, and adjustment.

Cash Management

Short-term cash management instruments can help you establish a sound cash management program.

Tax Planning

Everything you own, whatever the form of ownership, is subject to federal, and possibly state, estate taxes.

Risk Management

There are three basic types of medical insurance plans: fee-for-service, managed care, and high-deductible health plan.

Tax Planning

Capital gains are profits realized from the sale of assets; a tax is triggered only when an asset is sold, not held.

Estates & Trusts

Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property distributed, but they also go beyond that.

Tax Planning

Consider a trustee-to-trustee transfer to an IRA versus a lump-sum distribution from a workplace retirement plan.

Tax Planning

There can be a substantial benefit to deferring taxes as long as possible.

Risk Management

The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin.

Tax Planning

IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government.

Tax Planning

Tax-deferred retirement account withdrawals before age 59½ generally trigger a 10% federal tax penalty.

Risk Management

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for those persons age 65 and over. But what does it cover?

Retirement

Many realize it’s important to save for retirement, but knowing exactly how much to save is another issue altogether.

Risk Management

Property and casualty insurance can help protect a variety of assets. Find out what it does and doesn’t cover.

Estates & Trusts

The probate process can be lengthy and complex. There are strategies you can use to help avoid the probate process.

Tax Planning

The federal gift tax applies to gifts of property or money while the donor is living.

Investing

Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a set amount of money on a regular basis, regardless of market conditions.

Risk Management

Consider additional liability insurance to help protect you from the potentially devastating effects of liability lawsuits.

Retirement

Greater demand is being placed on the Social Security system as the baby boom generation has begun to retire.

Retirement

The Social Security Administration’s retirement estimator gives estimates of your future benefits based on your actual Social Security earnings record.

Risk Management

Even if your state doesn’t require certain types of auto insurance, it may be wise to purchase multiple types to ensure you are covered for a variety of situations.

Risk Management

Since your home is one of your greatest assets, you should make sure it is adequately protected. That's where homeowners insurance enters the picture.

Investing

Before investing in stocks, it is important to understand some of the basics and the risks involved in owning stocks.

Risk Management

Term life insurance differs from permanent forms of life insurance in that it offers temporary protection.

Risk Management

Knowing the basics of a disability income insurance policy is a good first step toward protecting your family.

Risk Management

If you were to suffer an illness or disability that required long-term nursing care, would you be covered?

Investing

ETFs have unique attributes and attempt to track all types of indexes, industries, or commodities.

Retirement

There are key dates after you turn 59½ that can impact your taxes, Medicare eligibility, and retirement benefits.

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