12/04/2019
What gets you up in the morning? Do you need someone else to set expectations for you? Or do you flinch at being presented with a schedule and a set of expectations? If you landed on a deserted island, would you languish and aimlessly waste away, or would you set…
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10/22/2019
Credit scores were a well-kept secret for many years. That has changed as a result of recent initiatives by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), which provides the most commonly used credit scores based on its proprietary software.
By April 2016, more than 150 million consumer…
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05/14/2019
We economists like to remind investors that expansions don’t die of old age. Yet the markets have grown increasingly concerned about the risk of a U.S. recession as the economy nears the end of its tenth year of expansion.
That concern ratcheted up a notch toward the end of March…
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03/29/2019
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of TD Ameritrade from September 28th – October 6th, 2018, among 1,503 U.S. adults aged 45 and older with over $250,000 in investable assets, including 750 who are financially independent or on the path…
02/25/2019
The question of asset ownership can be contentious in the event of a divorce, but even in the happiest marriage it may be helpful to understand the laws regarding ownership of property obtained before and during the marriage.
Currently, nine states have community property laws: Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, New…
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09/13/2018
On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed a sweeping $1.5 trillion tax-cut package that fundamentally changes the individual and business tax landscape.
The centerpiece of the legislation is a permanent reduction of the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. Among other business provisions are a shift to a…
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06/01/2018
A 2017 survey found that only 42% of U.S. adults — and only 36% of those with children under age 18 — had a will or a living trust.1 (A living trust can serve some but not all functions of a will; you should have a will even if you…
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02/01/2018
An Introduction to Trusts
You may think trusts are only for wealthy people, but that’s not necessarily the case. A properly constructed trust can serve many purposes for families of more modest means. A trust might help avoid the time-consuming and costly probate process, maintain control of a legacy for…
06/22/2017
It should be no surprise to hear that exercise is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. With the help of a balanced diet, exercise can help you achieve personal fitness goals, whether you want to lose those extra pounds before swimsuit season or get the six-pack abs you’ve always wanted….
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03/31/2017
Before making any investment decision, one of the key elements you face is working out the real rate of return on your investment.
Compound interest is critical to investment growth. Whether your financial portfolio consists solely of a deposit account at your local bank or a series of highly leveraged…
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01/20/2017
Considering the high interest rates that apply to many credit cards and other types of consumer loans, is it a good idea to borrow from your 401(k) instead? It often depends on your job security and how you intend to use the money. About 87% of 401(k) participants are in…
Read More11/14/2016
While the often contentious presidential election is over, you may still be worried about how a leadership change in Washington will affect your portfolios. While presidential elections do add a layer of uncertainty—and the markets don’t like uncertainty—they typically don’t have a long-term effect on market performance.
“The outcome of the…
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10/12/2016
Social Security and Medicare Update: 2016 Trustees Reports
The fiscal challenges facing Social Security and Medicare have been well publicized, but many Americans may not be aware of the facts behind the headlines. Each year, the Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds release detailed reports to Congress…
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08/03/2016
Most people have good intentions about saving for retirement. But few know when they should start and how much they should save.
The rewards of starting to save early for retirement far outweigh the cost of waiting. By contributing even small amounts each month, you may be able to amass…
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06/07/2016
Employer-sponsored retirement plans are more valuable than ever. The money in them accumulates tax deferred until it is withdrawn, typically in retirement. Distributions from a tax-deferred retirement plan such as a 401(k) are taxed as ordinary income and may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty if withdrawn…
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05/02/2016
Estimating your future Social Security benefits used to be a difficult task, but not any longer. For an estimate of your projected benefits, go to www.ssa.gov/estimator. The retirement estimator gives estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record.
The website form will ask you for a number of facts,…
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