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Monday, October 11, 2021

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. Any changes to your plan will go into...

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

AND LEARN HOW THEY CAN IMPACT YOU If you have a retirement account set up and you're making regular contributions, that's great! There may come a time when you need to move these retirement savings from one account to another, and...

Monday, September 27, 2021

Most likely, you’ve heard what’s brewing in Washington, D.C., called by one of these names. The Build Back Better Act. Or the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill. Or the Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan for Working...

Monday, September 20, 2021

Several Types of Insurance Changes to Consider as You Approach Retirement As you approach retirement, your financial needs and those who depend on you will likely change. This may require an update of your insurance needs as well. What...

Monday, September 13, 2021

It’s time for your life insurance checkup. September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage.1 If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone. Life...

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Thursday, September 9, 2021

The stock market notched its 7th straight month of gains in August, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index has set 53 new highs so far in 2021.1 During August, stocks rallied as investors looked past the increased number of COVID-19...

Monday, August 30, 2021

A common misconception about legacy planning is that only the very wealthy leave legacies. But nothing could be further from the truth. That’s because your legacy is about far more than the money or assets you leave to loved...

Monday, August 23, 2021

Did you know that it wasn’t so long ago that women faced challenges in obtaining credit? In the 1960s and 1970s, legislation provided women with equal access to credit opportunities, paving the way for their independence and...

Monday, August 16, 2021

On average, women in the U.S. live longer than their male counterparts, making outliving their income in retirement a very real possibility for many. According to a 2019 study from T. Rowe Price measuring gender and retirement: 43% of...

Monday, August 9, 2021

Mid-year is an excellent time to reassess your financial strategies and make sure you’re taking advantage of opportunities to reduce your tax liability. That begins with understanding the “ADCs” of reducing your tax...

Monday, August 2, 2021

1. Tax-Free Withdrawals Money that goes into a Roth IRA is after-tax dollars. Because you've already paid taxes on that money, once it is withdrawn, it comes out tax-free. There are some restrictions on those withdrawals if you want...

Monday, July 26, 2021

The news keeps getting better for Social Security recipients.It's now projected that benefits will increase 6.1% in 2022, up from the 4.7% forecast just two months ago. That would be the most significant increase since 1983.1...

Monday, July 19, 2021

With June officially behind us, it’s time to face the facts: we’re headed toward the second half of 2021. While there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the rest of summer, we encourage you to slow down and check up on...

Monday, July 12, 2021

For many retirees, long-term care insurance can offer a helpful safety net for protecting retirement income in the event of a serious illness or incapacitation. Clients often have concerns when it comes time to plan, like not...

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

A simple explanation of how your Social Security benefits are calculated How Much Will I Get From Social Security? Social Security benefits are based on your lifetime earnings. Earnings are reported to Social Security through a W-2...

Monday, June 28, 2021

If there is a "silver lining" to all the inflation talk, it may be that Social Security benefits are expected to see a larger-than-normal increase in 2022. Preliminary estimates call for a 4.7% cost-of-living increase (COLA) in Social...

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

One of the most anticipated comebacks of 2021 isn’t an athlete, rock star, or movie franchise. It’s summer travel, and it appears to be back with a vengeance. Travel agents are working 14-hour days to meet the needs of...

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Recently, you may have seen headlines regarding the Securing a Strong Retirement Act, also referred to as the second version of the SECURE Act, or SECURE Act 2.0. As the bill moves from the House of Representatives to the Senate, many...

Monday, June 7, 2021

Since the 1980s, unemployment rates have trended higher amongst men than women during a recession. In previous periods of economic downturn, this made sense. Male-dominated industries, like construction and finance, were typically...

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Do you know what the contribution limits are for your specific type of retirement account? Knowing these limits will help you make the maximum...

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

On average, women in the U.S. live longer than their male counterparts, making outliving their income in retirement a very real possibility for many. According to a 2019 study from T. Rowe Price measuring gender and retirement: 43% of...

Monday, May 17, 2021

What does it mean when two of the most powerful voices in American financial life seem to be saying two different things? In one corner, we have the “Oracle of Omaha,”...

Monday, May 10, 2021

Now and again, the price action on Wall Street can surprise even the most seasoned investors. Look no further than when President Biden in late April proposed an increase in the tax on capital gains to 39.6% from 20% for those...

Monday, May 3, 2021

Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, have been the recipient of the latest buzz. NFTs are digital files attached to blockchain codes. If you know anything about digital currencies, you’re probably aware that these blockchain codes are...

Monday, April 26, 2021

If you’re wondering when is the best time to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, the following information may help. Roth IRA conversions typically make the most sense for older retirement plan investors, who tend to be in...

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

It can be exhausting trying to keep up with the whims of Wall Street.Lately, the financial markets have been fixated on federal taxes and what may be proposed on Capitol Hill in the weeks and months ahead.Wall Street’s focus on...

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

President Joe Biden introduced the much-anticipated American Jobs Plan, which outlines an approach to spend roughly $2.2 trillion on the nation's infrastructure and other projects. As part of the legislative process, the Biden...

Monday, April 5, 2021

If you contributed to your IRA this past year, you should have received an IRS Form 5498. This form looks similar to a W-2, but it only contains information about your...

Monday, March 29, 2021

The Cetera Advanced Planning Group has released an overview of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This provides explanation and analysis on how this may affect your financial planning interests.

Monday, March 22, 2021

Less than one month ahead of the traditional date, the IRS has delayed the deadline for filing and paying taxes. The new deadline is May 17, 2021.1,2,3 The delay follows continued disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic and a late start...

Monday, March 15, 2021

The House of Representatives passed a $1.9 trillion relief package focused on economic relief following the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was signed into law at the White House on Thursday.

Monday, March 8, 2021

If you had a choice between buying a laptop on sale or waiting until the sale ended and prices went up, you’d buy it on sale, right? It can be hard for many people to approach investing from the same perspective. When the stock...

Monday, March 1, 2021

You’re invited to an exclusive conversation with former Federal Reserve Chair Dr. Ben S. Bernanke, who helped guide the U.S. economy out of its worst recession of the century. His insights on how the economy can emerge and grow...

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Some big changes come with getting married, and that includes your taxes. For the first time, you have the option to file jointly or separately. How romantic!

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

RMDs are back this year, along with the potential tax burden and steep penalties (50% of the required distribution amount) for those who fail to take them by year end.

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that tax season will start a little later than usual. This year the IRS will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax returns on Friday, February 12, 2021.1

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Did you know that determining whether your Social Security earnings record is correct falls squarely on your shoulders—not your current/previous employer(s) or the Social Security Administration? Accuracy is critical because...

Monday, January 25, 2021

Every few months, you may hear the phrase “earnings season” as you listen to financial news. But what exactly is “earnings season,” and why is it important to Wall Street?

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Have you ever been to a restaurant, looked at the menu, and thought: I didn’t even know I was in the mood for this, but it sounds perfect! Financial goal setting can be a lot like going to a restaurant...

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Will 2021 be a year for the history books—or one we wish we could write off the books? View the 2021 forecast video put together by Cetera® Investment Management.

Monday, January 4, 2021

After a bit of political posturing in December, the $900 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (2021 CAA) was signed into law by President Trump as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact employers and employees.

Monday, December 28, 2020

As we approach 2021, watch out for these costly mistakes in your retirement.

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

For many of us, 2020 has been a year unlike any other. For some, it’s brought hardships that have tested the hardiest of souls. For others, it has brought unspeakable loss. Yet, we press on, and as we do, we may be surprised to...

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Your investment strategy is a lot like a marriage. One day you may feel like everything’s going swimmingly. The next day, there might be an argument over who forgot to load the dishwasher.

Monday, December 7, 2020

A growing number of college students and their parents find themselves struggling to pay tuition costs. Fortunately, there are a number of tax-smart ways for parents and grandparents to help family members pay for college.

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

While tax planning is a year-round activity, no time is more critical than the end of the year to make sure you’re taking advantage of opportunities to manage your tax burden.

Monday, November 23, 2020

If you are one of the lucky few who has a pension, and if COVID is making you consider early retirement, this flowchart can help you assess whether it makes more sense to take your pension as a lump sum or a lifetime stream of payments.

Monday, November 16, 2020

The Treasury Department released the 2021 adjusted figures for retirement account savings. Although these adjustments won’t bring any major changes, there are some minor elements to note.

Monday, November 9, 2020

Joe Biden has been declared the next President. With Republicans likely to hold the Senate (after a January runoff election in Georgia), expect a divided government that markets favor.

Monday, November 2, 2020

Right now is a good time to reflect on a quote from legendary investor Warren Buffett, who reminded us that, “The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.”

Monday, October 26, 2020

On October 13, 2020, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that Social Security recipients will receive a 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2021.

Monday, October 19, 2020

Commentary on the path to electoral victory for both candidates, the chances of a delayed result, and historical stock market returns during post-WWII 4-year presidential cycles.

Monday, October 12, 2020

It should come as no surprise to hear the economy is the top issue for voters in the 2020 election. But when voters say “economy,” what do they really mean?

Monday, October 5, 2020

Each year I have the opportunity to attend my broker-dealer's annual conference. Because this year’s conference is a digital streaming experience, you're invited!

Monday, September 28, 2020

Even in “normal” times, the news can be depressing. But these days, it can seem like there’s an awful lot to worry about.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

As the U.S. presidential election draws near, expect to see more and more headlines that propose, "What will happen next if this person is elected?" or, "What policy changes to prepare for in the next four years?"

Thursday, September 17, 2020

When interest rates decline, mortgage refinancing becomes a particularly popular topic. This flowchart can help guide your decision!

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Determining how much money you need in retirement is a process. It shouldn't be a number that you pull out of thin air.

Monday, August 31, 2020

Over the last few months, we’ve all felt the economic and emotional impact of another wave of coronavirus infections. It’s no surprise that people everywhere are experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

In the era of COVID-19, and the financial woes it has created, I often get asked, “Why is the stock market holding up so well when the economy appears to be struggling?”

Wednesday, July 22, 2020