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Fifty-six percent of American workers have saved less than $25,000 for retirement, and 46% have saved less than $10,000.1
Source: 1) Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2011

Will you outlive your retirement income?  How much liability insurance should you have? Should you add stocks to your portfolio?  Are your financial expectations for the coming year realistic?

Our financial newsletters are designed to provide helpful information on a wide variety of financial topics.  Simply click on one of the newsletter topics below to read the article in its entirety.

  • May

    HOT TOPIC: American Manufacturing: Rebound or Renaissance?
    During the last decade, U.S. manufacturing lost millions of jobs to foreign competition. The sector appears to be coming back strong, adding almost half a million jobs since 2010 as productivity rises. This article examines the conditions that originally caused the exodus of U.S. industrial production and those that may bode well for its future.

    Investing in the Future
    Due to the fiscal struggles of state governments, in-state tuition and fees at public four-year colleges and universities rose dramatically for the 2011-12 school year. The cost of private institutions also continues to increase. This article presents information on the cost of a college education and how a 529 plan may be a helpful savings vehicle.

    Averaging Ups and Downs
    Stock market volatility was the norm in 2011, and that can be hard on an investor’s nerves. Utilizing a dollar-cost averaging strategy may help even out your portfolio’s ups and downs, as explained in this article.

    Pick Up This Split for Long-Term Retirement Income
    The number of Americans aged 90 or older almost tripled from 1980 through 2010 and is projected to quadruple by 2050. As people live longer they may need to fund a longer-than-expected retirement. This article discusses how a split-annuity strategy could help provide a long-term income stream.

    Designating Retirement Plan Beneficiaries
    IRAs and defined-contribution plans have become an important component of personal wealth for households. Designating account beneficiaries and keeping the designations current can be a complex — but important — process to perform on a regular basis as certain life events and tax situations can necessitate a change.

    Small Companies Face Costly Cybersecurity Threats
    For many small businesses, the Internet is an important tool, but cybersecuity risks are growing. 40% of all targeted Internet attacks are now directed toward companies with fewer than 500 employees, and just over half of small businesses have a basic cybersecurity plan. This article provides tips to the small business owner about how to shore up their online defenses.

  • April

    HOT TOPIC: Could High Oil and Gas Prices Derail the Recovery?
    Gas prices began the year higher than normal and increased sharply. The forecast is for prices to rise to record highs by summer. But it’s not just drivers who are feeling pain at the pump. This article will explain some possible reasons why gas prices have been rising and discuss the potential implications for consumers, businesses, and the broader U.S. economy.

    Tax Changes for 2012
    Mandatory annual inflation adjustments generally affect federal income tax brackets, retirement plan contribution limits, and estate tax exemption levels. Here are some of the major changes that could affect readers in 2012, with a table showing 2012 income thresholds for the six federal income tax brackets.

    Doing Your Heirs a Favor
    Although a will and a trust specify disposition of assets, many other details of an individual’s final wishes might be explained in a letter of instructions. This article offers some topics to consider addressing in the letter to help loved ones make decisions and take care of final arrangements.

    There’s Still Time to Catch Up
    Worker confidence in affording a comfortable retirement fell to a record low in 2011, but investors aged 50 and older may be able to make up for lost time by maximizing contributions to retirement plans and taking advantage of catch-up contribution limits. The accompanying chart shows the potential difference in accumulation by taking advantage of catch-up contributions.

    Understanding the Appeal of Share Buybacks
    The amount of money devoted to corporate stock buybacks surged throughout 2010 and 2011 as large companies sought ways to spend their cash stockpiles and reward shareholders. This article looks at how corporate buybacks work, why they have become more common in the current economic climate, and what they typically mean for investors.

    Preparing to Turn the Corner
    What happens to a multiple-owner business when one of them chooses to retire or must leave suddenly for some other reason? Death, disability, divorce, & bankruptcy are just a few of the events that can affect one owner and threaten the future of the business. This article discusses the reasons why it may make sense for a small business to have a buy-sell agreement in place.

  • March

    HOT TOPIC: Breaking Down the Proposed FY 2013 Budget
    The 2013 budget released by the White House on February 13 contains proposed fiscal measures that could affect the business and investment climate, the income tax code, and government spending. Considering that Congress will debate and discuss the budget in detail, many of these measures are unlikely to become law as proposed, but they may indicate future developments.

    Where There's a Will, There's a Way
    Only 35% of Americans have a will, yet it's a relatively simple legal document that every adult should have, regardless of wealth or age. Dying without a will can lead to unwanted outcomes and potential problems for heirs. This article discusses the importance of a will and other estate conservation documents.

    Diving into Dividends
    Dividends have traditionally been considered a source of income, but they also can be a powerful way to help build savings. A recent study found that dividends contributed 44% of S&P 500 total returns from 1930 through September 2010. This article explains how dividends work and the role that dividends could play in an investor's savings strategy.

    Balancing Stability and Growth
    An investor who is 2 or 3 decades from retirement could decide to be more aggressive in pursuing investment growth than someone approaching retirement. Even though investors address this by transitioning to a more conservative asset allocation, they still need to seek growth while balancing the desire for principal preservation. This article offers some factors to consider.

    Rethinking the Role of Household Debt
    Many people aspire to pay off their home mortgages before retirement, but the housing situation and a weak economy have taken a toll on the finances of many older Americans. There are some compelling reasons why pre-retirees might want to consider maximizing their retirement plan contributions and avoid carrying large amounts of debt into retirement.

    Lessons from a Perilous Year
    In retrospect, 2011 was a formidable year for catastrophes. Small businesses can be hit hard when extreme weather or a natural disaster causes damage or forces a temporary closure. This article considers the importance of adequate insurance protection and ways to help reduce uninsured losses.