Articles

Welcome to our research center! We've put together a library of information on important financial topics that we believe you'll find helpful.

Simply click on one of the general financial topics below and you'll find a selection of easy-to-understand information sheets about related financial concepts and strategies. This information is updated regularly to reflect the latest facts, figures, legislation, and economic trends.

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Retirement

Why Do People Buy Annuities?

Annuities, an insurance-based financial vehicle, can provide many benefits that retirement investors might want.
What Are Annuity Living Benefits?

Living benefits can help protect variable annuity owners from running out of money in retirement.
How Much Do I Need to Save?

Many realize it’s important to save for retirement, but knowing exactly how much to save is another issue altogether.
What Is a 1035 Exchange?

A Section 1035 exchange is a tax-free exchange of an existing annuity contract or life insurance policy for a new one.
Unforgettable Birthdays

There are key dates after you turn 59½ that can impact your taxes, Medicare eligibility, and retirement benefits.
What Is a Self-Employed Retirement Plan?

Tax-deferred retirement plans for self-employed individuals have higher contribution limits than IRAs.
What Are My Retirement Plan Distribution Options?

When receiving money accumulated in your employer-sponsored retirement plan, you have two options: lump sum or annuity.
Save Now or Save Later?

If you start saving for retirement sooner, the more money you are likely to accumulate and possibly retire sooner.

Investing

What Is an Exchange-Traded Fund?

ETFs have unique attributes and attempt to track all types of indexes, industries, or commodities.
How Are Mutual Funds Taxed?

Mutual fund taxes can be cumbersome, but there are ways to help mitigate the amount of taxes you may owe.
What Is Diversification?

An important element to successful investing is to manage investment risk while maintaining the potential for growth.
What Is a Stock Index?

Stock market indexes can be useful benchmarks for gauging the performance of an investment portfolio over time.
How Do Mutual Funds and Stocks Differ?

The difference between purchasing an individual stock versus shares in a mutual fund to potentially earn dividends.
What Is a Mutual Fund Load?

It’s important to understand mutual fund loads, or sales charges, and exactly what they entail so you can make informed investing decisions.
What Is an Annuity?

An annuity is a flexible financial vehicle that can help protect against the risk of living a long time because it provides an option for a lifetime income.
What Investment Risks Should I Know About?

Understanding different types of investment risk can help investors manage their money more effectively.
What Are the Different Classes of Assets?

There are five broad asset classes that you should take into consideration when constructing your investment portfolio.

Cash Management

What Are Some Tips for Managing My Money?

A sound cash management program uses a disciplined approach: accounting, analysis, allocation, and adjustment.
What Advantages Does a Biweekly Mortgage Offer?

Biweekly mortgage payments can have a dramatic effect on the amount of interest homeowners have to pay.
What Is a Reverse Mortgage?

There are techniques that can enable older homeowners to use their property to finance their lifestyle.
How Does Inflation Affect Me?

Historically, one of the best ways to fight the effects of inflation has been to utilize growth-oriented investments.

Risk Management

Why Purchase Life Insurance?

If you have a family who relies on your income, it is important to have life insurance protection.
Why Are Annuities Considered an Insurance Product?

An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company to pay you future income in exchange for premiums you pay.
What Is Life Insurance for Business Owners?

Company-owned life insurance is one way to help protect a business from financial problems caused by the death of a key employee.
What Is Term Life Insurance?

Term life insurance differs from permanent forms of life insurance in that it offers temporary protection.
Do I Need Disability Income Insurance?

Knowing the basics of a disability income insurance policy is a good first step toward protecting your family.
What Types of Health Coverage Are Available?

There are three basic types of medical insurance plans: fee-for-service, managed care, and high-deductible health plan.
What Is the Difference Between an HMO and a PPO?

Selecting health insurance is often one of the most important decisions you will make. Do you know the different types?
Am I Prepared for Long-Term Care Expenses?

The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin.
What Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for those persons age 65 and over. But what does it cover?
What Are the Basic Types of Life Insurance?

When selecting a life insurance policy, examine all your options, as well as the positives and negatives of each type.

Investment Planning = Life Planning for Now and for the Future

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