Retirement Questions That Have Nothing to Do With Money
Preparing for retirement is not entirely financial. Your degree of happiness in your “second act” may depend on some factors that don’t come with an obvious price tag. Here are some non-monetary factors to consider as you prepare for your retirement. What will you do with your time? Too many people retire without any idea […]
Inflation & Your Money
“If the current annual inflation rate is 3 percent, why do my bills seem like they’re 10 percent higher than last year?”1 Many of us ask ourselves that question, and it illustrates the importance of understanding how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments. What Is Inflation? Inflation is defined as an upward […]
The Cost of Procrastination
Some of us share a common experience. You’re driving along when a police cruiser pulls up behind you with its lights flashing. You pull over, the officer gets out, and your heart drops. “Are you aware the registration on your car has expired?” You’ve experienced one of the costs of procrastination. Procrastination can cause missed […]
Retirement Seen Through Your Eyes
How do you picture your future? Some see retirement as a time to start a new career. Others see it as a time to travel. Still others plan to spend more time with family and friends. With that in mind, here are some things to consider. What do you absolutely need to accomplish? If you […]
Starting a Roth IRA for a Teen
Want to give your child or grandchild a financial head start? A Roth IRA might be a choice to consider. Read on to learn more about how doing this may benefit both of you. Rules for setting up a Roth IRA. If your teen has an earned income, you may be able to set up […]
Disability and Your Finances
The Social Security Disability Insurance program paid out over $140 billion in benefits in 2021. And with new applicants each year, the system is expected to exhaust its reserves at the end of 2034 if changes aren’t made.1,2 Rather than depending on a government program to protect their income in the event of a disability, […]
Variable Universal Life Insurance
Variable universal life insurance is permanent life insurance—it remains in force for the policyholder’s whole life. And, as with universal life insurance, it provides a flexible premium and an adjustable benefit—meaning the policyholder decides how much to put in the policy above a set minimum. By extension, the policyholder also determines the face amount of […]
Assess Life Insurance Needs
If your family relies on your income, it’s critical to consider having enough life insurance to provide for them after you pass away. But too often, life insurance is an overlooked aspect of personal finances. In fact, according to a 2023 study conducted by Life Happens and LIMRA, which closely follows life insurance trends, nearly […]
Personal Finance Tips for Military Families
One study found that military personnel have more credit problems and are more likely to make late house payments than their civilian counterparts.¹ While the financial situation of military personnel and their families mirrors the general population in many respects, heavy indebtedness and mismanagement of credit cards may be especially acute issues for service members. […]
Prevent a Rift: Money Tips for Newlyweds
One survey found that 35% of couples attribute stress in their relationship to financial issues. This could explain why some experts say financial problems are one of the top reasons marriages fail.1,2 Fortunately, when couples work together to address their finances, they may be able to mitigate many of the problems money may cause in […]