When investing, particularly for long-term goals, there are two basic concepts you will likely hear about over and over again — diversification and asset allocation. Diversification helps limit exposure to loss in any one investment or one type of investment, while asset allocation provides a blueprint to help guide your investment decisions. Understanding how the
Benefits apply to same-sex and traditional marriages alike Several retirement plan rules apply specifically to married individuals. And these rules hold true for legally married same-sex spouses, after the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decisions in United States v. Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges made same-sex marriages legal nationwide and ensured that those marriages would enjoy
If you are self-employed or own a small business and haven’t established a retirement savings plan, what are you waiting for? A retirement plan can help you and your employees save for the future. Plus, a retirement plan can have significant tax advantages: Your contributions are deductible when made. Your contributions aren’t taxed to an
Massive computer hacks and data breaches are now common occurrences — an unfortunate consequence of living in a digital world. Once identity thieves have your information, they can use it to gain access to your bank and credit card accounts, make unauthorized transactions in your name, and subsequently ruin your credit. Now more than ever,
Your credit score is based on your past and present credit transactions. Having a good credit score is important because most lenders use credit scores to evaluate the creditworthiness of a potential borrower.
If you’ve changed jobs in the past you know how confusing it can be to deal with your old 401k or other retirement plans. Often your options go unused due to the stress and general disruption that changing or losing your job can create. Below are several considerations to help you decide on the best option
Our members often have questions about annuities and their benefits. Favorable tax treatment is one of the main reasons for buying an annuity. So what exactly are the tax benefits? Are there any drawbacks? It’s important to know the answers to these questions before deciding whether to purchase an annuity. Of course, any information on
Conventional wisdom says that what goes up, must come down. However even if you view market volatility as a regular occurrence, it can be tough to handle when it’s your money at stake. Though there’s no foolproof way to handle the ups and downs of the stock market, the following common sense tips can help.
Our members often have questions about how to prepare for the future. When looking toward the future, health care may become more of a consideration. Who will take care of you as you get older? If you must live in a nursing home, how will you pay for it? By learning as much as you
The 401(k) plan is one of the most popular types of employer-sponsored retirement plans—but do you know how they work? Before you sign up, learn the basics here on these qualified cash or deferred arrangements (CODAs) permitted under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, commonly referred to as “401(k) plans.” How does a 401(k)
