Newsletters

April

• HOT TOPIC: The Iran War, the Economy, and Your Portfolio

  This article looks at the economic impact of the war with Iran, including rising oil and gas prices and the potential effects on inflation, investments, and the broader economy.

• Foreign Stocks Outperformed in 2025

  Although U.S. stocks have provided a higher return over the past 20 years, foreign stocks outperformed in seven of those years, including 2025.

• Medicare or Medicaid?

  It’s easy to confuse Medicare and Medicaid, but there are important differences between the programs.

• New Auto Loan Interest Deduction Explained

  The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) provides an annual deduction of up to $10,000 for interest paid on qualifying new auto loans, effective for tax years 2025 through 2028.

• Small Business: Coping with the End of De Minimis Imports

  Small businesses must now pay duties on low-value goods they could previously source inexpensively from China and elsewhere.

• Is Your Dream Kitchen a Good Investment?

  Considering the potential return on investment before taking on home improvement projects can help homeowners make cost-effective decisions.

March

• HOT TOPIC: What Does a Weaker U.S. Dollar Mean for Your Money?

  Consumers and investors might want to consider how the depreciating dollar could impact the economy and their own finances.

• No More Groundhog Day for Your Finances: Time for a Financial Wellness Checkup

  Financial habits can repeat themselves, month after month and year after year, until we consciously break the pattern.

• Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2026

  This article provides 2026 contribution limits for retirement plans and various tax deduction, exclusion, exemption, and threshold amounts.

• Wealthy Colleges Face Expanded Endowment Tax

  A new tiered tax rate on the endowments of wealthy colleges and universities could affect spending on financial aid, research, and other college programs.

• A Roadmap for Your Family

  A letter of instruction could be just as important as a will in helping loved ones settle an estate and move forward with their lives.

• Could an HSA Strengthen Your Retirement Strategy?

  After age 65, retirees can use HSA funds for any purpose without incurring a penalty.

February

• HOT TOPIC: Geopolitics and the U.S. Financial Markets

  This article looks at market reactions to previous global conflicts and emphasizes that long-term market movements are generally driven by corporate earnings, interest rates, and the broader economy.

• Keeping Cool in Volatile Markets

  Overreacting to market movements or trying to “time the market” by guessing its future direction can create additional risk that could negatively affect long-term portfolio performance.

• Q&A on RMDs

  Here are answers to some key questions about required minimum distributions.

• Don’t Take the Bait: Top Tax Scams in 2025

  As tax filing season approaches, the IRS warns taxpayers to watch for scams that can cause identity theft, financial loss, or criminal penalties.

• Retroactive Social Security Benefits: A Chance to Turn Back Time

  Beneficiaries who postpone claiming Social Security past full retirement age have the option of receiving a lump-sum payment for up to six months of benefits when they finally apply.

• Location, Location, Location: The Premium Parents Pay for Top Schools

  Homes in neighborhoods with access to top schools tend to cost significantly more than a typical home in the surrounding area.

January

• HOT TOPIC: AI Expectations Underpin the Economic Outlook for 2026

  This article discusses economic forecasts for 2026 and the trends that are influencing them, including surging AI investment.

• Key Tax Law Changes to Higher Education Coming Soon

  The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes many provisions that affect higher education.

• Strategies for Smarter Giving

  In addition to advancing philanthropic goals, strategic charitable donations may offer tax advantages.

• Surprise! It’s Retirement Time

  Considering some important issues now could provide more options in the event of early retirement.

• Tips to Help Preserve Your Inheritance

  It’s important for heirs to consider how a windfall might be used to strengthen their finances now and over the long term.

• Cash Balance Plans Help Some Business Owners Supersize Retirement Savings

  These plans have generous contribution limits that increase with age, which may allow high-income business owners to catch up on retirement savings and significantly reduce their taxable incomes.

December

• HOT TOPIC: The Shutdown is Over: What Now?

  The longest government shutdown in U.S. history ended on November 12, 2025. This article looks at the bill that ended the shutdown, issues that are unresolved, and estimates of the economic impact.

• Balancing Life in the Sandwich Generation

  The day-to-day demands of supporting multiple generations can take a toll, but planning and support might help achieve a workable balance.

• Beneficiary Designations: Who Gets the Money?

  It’s a good idea to regularly review beneficiary designations to be sure they are complete and reflect current wishes.

• Closed-End Funds May Offer Higher Income

  Closed-end funds are considered to carry higher risk but may provide a higher income stream than traditional mutual funds holding similar securities.

• Life Insurance for Two

  Survivorship life insurance may be a cost-effective coverage solution for older couples or business partners.

• Unpacking the Real Limitations on Unlimited PTO

  The prospect of unlimited paid time off may be appealing, but there are also some potential pitfalls to consider.

November

• HOT TOPIC: Will Tax Law Changes Impact Your Giving Strategy?

  New tax rules will determine the deductibility of donations in 2026 for better or worse, which means taxpayers may want to rethink the timing and amount of their donations for 2025 and beyond.

• Are You Prepared for the High Cost of Dying?

  End-of-life care and the death of a loved one not only carry an emotional price tag, but they often impose a substantial financial strain on families.

• What Happens to Your Time Horizon at Retirement?

  When entering retirement, investment strategy typically shifts from a single, goal-based fixed time horizon to a multilayered, interrelated series of time periods.

• Navigating Medicare Open Enrollment

  The Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7 and allows various changes related to Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Prescription Drug plans.

• Consider Roth for Tax-Free Income

  Roth accounts offer no current-year tax benefit, but they can provide tax-free retirement income.

• Avoiding Probate with a TOD Deed and TOD Account

  In many states, a transfer-on-death (TOD) deed and/or account can help avoid probate without the cost and complexity of a trust.

October

• HOT TOPIC: The Fed Lowers Rates in an Economic Balancing Act

  This article looks at the Fed’s dilemma in setting monetary policy to address slowing employment with rising inflation, and the potential effects of lower rates on businesses and consumers.

• Life Insurance Might Help During Turbulent Economic Times

  During periods of economic uncertainty and stock market volatility, life insurance may be a useful tool to consider.

• How Has SECURE 2.0 Affected 401(k) Plans?

  The SECURE 2.0 Act introduced new features designed to make 401(k)s even more appealing to workers.

• Three Ways to Help Build Financial Resilience

  Here are some steps to help handle challenging times and potentially emerge even stronger.

• Could Employee Ownership Be Part of Your Succession Plan?

  An employee stock ownership plan is a qualified retirement plan that enables a business owner to gradually transfer ownership shares to employees, setting up opportunities to cash out in the future.

• Grocery Games: Strategies to Help Stretch Your Food Budget

  Food prices have risen more than 22% since the beginning of 2020, but shopping strategically might help households spend less on groceries.

September

• HOT TOPIC: Mining Maelstrom: Why Rare Earths Are Making Headlines

  Outside scientific and national security arenas, many people may not understand the importance of rare- earth minerals. This article helps demystify these critical natural resources.

• Consider Munis for Tax-Free Income

  Higher yields have led to record new issues of municipal bonds in 2024 and early 2025.

• Navigating Financial Conversations with Aging Parents

  Having a conversation with parents about their finances is an essential step in helping to ensure their financial well-being as they get older.

• Voluntourism: A Vacation That Makes a Difference

  A volunteer vacation offers an opportunity to give back, meet new people who share common interests, and become immersed in a different culture.

• Mega Backdoor Roth: A Tax-Friendly Retirement Strategy for Serious Savers

  High earners may not be eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA, but some people can use a workplace plan to save more and create a source of tax-free retirement income.

• Why Renters Should Have Their Own Insurance

  Young renters who are just striking out on their own may not realize that a landlord’s insurance policy typically will not cover the destruction or loss of the tenant’s possessions.

May

• HOT TOPIC: Tariffs Drive Market Volatility

  This article explains why tariffs have shaken the markets and provides an overview of long-term trends that may help investors put the current volatility in perspective.

• ETFs Are Closing the Gap with Mutual Funds

  Investor demand for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has increased rapidly over the last decade due to attractive features that set them apart from mutual funds.

• Debt After Death: What Happens to Debt When Someone Dies?

  This article provides an overview of how debts are settled after the death of a loved one.

• Playing Fair: New Consumer Protections for Airline Passengers

  Thanks to a new federal law and rules issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, airline passengers could have extra consumer protections.

• QLACs: Your Retirement Accounts Can Act Like Pensions

  With a qualified longevity annuity contract, or QLAC, a retiring worker can use a portion of their tax-deferred savings to set up a lifetime income stream that begins at an older age.

• Concerned About Cyberattacks? The Threat Is Real

  Small businesses that handle potentially sensitive information about customers, employees, or competitors should be proactive about addressing this risk.