Blog

2025 Outlook: Pragmatic Optimism

Smart Strategies for Staying Ahead in Uncertain Markets

Over the past few years, the market has appeared to be on a rollercoaster, providing investors with moments of excitement followed by heart-palpitating anxiety. Staying ahead during uncertain market activity seems impossible, but smart...

Sandwich Generation: Watch Out for These Costly Financial Pitfalls

The sandwich generation is generally defined as middle-aged individuals aged 40 to 60 (Generation X) sandwiched between aging parents, adult children, and grandchildren. Because members of the sandwich generation have been in the...

The Sandwich Generation and Retirement: Overcoming the Dual-Caregiving Dilemma

The "Sandwich Generation" is composed of adults who are ‘sandwiched’ between competing financial responsibilities. Many Sandwich Gen members support their aging parents while also providing for their children (or even grandchildren)...

Stock Buybacks, Apple and Warren Buffett

In the world of finance and investing, stock buybacks have become a focal point for corporations aiming to maximize shareholder value.

A Public Servant's Roadmap to a Confident Retirement

Public servants may face unusual challenges and opportunities when it comes to planning for retirement. On the one hand, public service positions usually pay less than the same types of work in the private sector.

Fiduciary Liability Insurance for Employer 401(k)

Employers can enhance fiduciary governance and protect plan participants Managing a 401(k) plan comes with significant responsibilities and potential liabilities for employers who serve as plan fiduciaries.

What Stubborn Inflation Could Mean for the U.S. Economy

On April 10, 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March, and the increase in CPI — the most commonly cited measure of inflation — was higher than expected.

4 Financial Planning Tips for Firefighters

Only about 25% of Americans aged 60 and over have access to a defined-benefit plan, also known as a pension.1 Firefighters are in the small group of Americans who have the option of an employer-sponsored pension plan.

Life Insurance and Estate Planning

Life insurance has come a long way since the days when it was known as burial insurance and used mainly to pay for funeral expenses. Today, life insurance is a crucial part of many estate plans.

Why Business Owners Need Disability Insurance

When you own a business and have employees, becoming disabled impacts you and your family and your employees and business. As a business owner, you may be responsible for the day-to-day operations.

Retiring As a Small Business Owner

The thought of retiring may be intimidating for anyone—but if you own your own business, handing your "baby" to new owners might be enough to stop you in your tracks. What might you do to set your successor up for success?

Designing a Benefit Package for Your Small Business

If you're a small business owner, you face many challenges in growing your company. One of them is recruiting and retaining the best talent for your needs.

How Corporate Cash Management Helps Business Owners

A successful business isn't only about having an outstanding service or product that consumers desire. Success also includes managing day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and financial matters efficiently to create stability.

Maximizing Wealth: 5 Ways a Financial Professional May Help Propel High Earners Towards Wealth

The journey to prosperity involves more than just a high income. It requires strategic planning, wise investment decisions, and a keen understanding of your financial landscape. On Financial Professional Day, explore the benefits...

Amazon Joins DJIA, Signifying Economic Shift

The inclusion of Amazon in the DJIA represents a seismic shift in the composition of the index, reflecting the growing prominence of e-commerce and digital services in today's market landscape.

Passing the Torch: A Business Succession Planning Checklist

Business succession planning is a critical process that focuses on the smooth transition of a company's leadership and ownership from one generation to the next. This checklist serves as a valuable tool for business owners.

5 Handy Tools and Resources for Building Financial Literacy

Increasing your financial literacy may allow you to make better decisions about your money and your financial future. Many great resources are available to get you started on the path to financial literacy and to expand your knowledge.

Unlocking Opportunities: The Benefits of Being a Certified Woman-Owned Business

In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, small business owners must constantly seek ways to stand out and access opportunities. Obtaining a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification for a woman-owned business could be a...

401(k) Options for Small Business Owners

Regardless of the business's size, small business owners have 401(k) retirement savings plan options that may be suitable for their situation. Business owners must plan for retirement by utilizing retirement savings vehicles that may...

Retirement Planning: A Map to Changes in 2024

Navigating these demands an adaptable approach to planning your finances As we kick off 2024, the world of retirement planning is undergoing a fairly significant transformation, as tax brackets, retirement contribution limits, estate...

How High Earners Can Build a Strong Retirement with Their 401(k)

Approximately 60 million workers contribute to a 401(k)-retirement plan. A 401(k) is a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan companies offer employees and is funded through elective salary deferrals. There are several benefits to...

SECURE Act 2.0: What Business Owners Need to Know for 2024

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, passed into law in December 2019, had significant implications for business owners and employees regarding retirement savings and tax rules.    With some...

Understanding the Role and Tasks of an Executor

An executor of an estate or trust plays a pivotal role in the legal system, especially when dealing with the responsibilities and tasks related to a deceased person's property and financial matters. The executor acts as the manager and...

The Biggest Issue Facing Your Employees Today

Immediate financial pressures eclipse retirement savings as top concern The current economic landscape, with its rising living costs and lingering student debt, has shifted employees' financial stress points. Recent studies, including...

Strategizing for Success: The Parallels Between Estate Planning and a Super Bowl Game Plan

Just as a winning team meticulously plans its Super Bowl plays, individuals and families may benefit from developing a comprehensive plan for their estate. Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy. Estate planning is a strategic move...

A Taxpayer’s Guide to Exemptions, Deductions, and Credits

When filing your income taxes, each taxpayer is different. Some prefer reducing the taxes they owe and getting the most significant possible refund, while others work to keep the taxes they pay as low as legally required. The IRS...

Tax Planning for Small Businesses

For small business owners, tax planning is crucial. Without proper planning, you may find a large portion of your hard-earned profits and savings eaten up by taxes that may not have been so high if you knew better options to pursue. To...

How to Recognize and Protect Yourself Against Tax Identity Theft

When you hear the term identity theft, the first thought that comes to mind may involve a data breach or opening a credit card in someone else's name. But another common type of identity theft involves the use of someone's Social...

Financial Wellness Checklist for Small Business Owners

Financial wellness is easier to work toward when a business owner understands their economic outlook and has set financial goals to take them through the next 5 to 10 years.2 Striving toward financial wellness is vital for any small...

Financial Resolutions for Small Business Owners

The new year is fast approaching, and it is a good time for small business owners to make some financial resolutions to help lead them toward a solid financial path. Whether your business is just starting or you have been running it...