Blog
The Transition to T+1 Settlements: What it Means
Next week marks a significant milestone in the securities industry: the standard settlement cycle for most broker-dealer transactions will shorten from two business days after the trade date (T+2) to just one day (T+1).
Read MoreThe Strong Dollar: What Travelers Need to Know
Vacation travelers, get ready for some exciting news! If you're planning a trip abroad, this year might be one of the best times to do so.
Read MoreThe Cost of Procrastination
Some of us share a common experience. You're driving along when a police cruiser pulls up behind you with its lights flashing. You pull over, the officer gets out, and your heart drops. “Are you aware the registration on your car has...
Read More5 Things to Consider When Downsizing For Retirement
After working hard and providing for your family for all of these years, you are likely counting down the days until retirement and beginning, as The Beach Boys once said, that “endless summer.” Or maybe you are already retired and...
Read MoreQuestions to Ask If Navigating a Solo Retirement
Pursing not only a confident retirement, but one that is vibrant and fulfilling Embarking on retirement alone, either by choice or due to unforeseen circumstances such as the loss of a partner or divorce, presents a unique set of...
Read MoreShow All
Social Security Isn’t Enough: How Social Security Fits into a Well-Rounded Retirement Plan
If you're nearing retirement age, you know the Social Security process and how much you will likely receive. With that information, you may have also anticipated that your Social Security benefit would not be enough to sustain you in...
Read MoreWork-Life Benefits and Employee Retention
Recruiting and retaining employees who are both qualified and motivated is an ongoing challenge for most businesses. One way to build staff loyalty and increase productivity is to put policies in place to help your employees balance...
Read MoreWhy Your Credit Score Matters in Retirement
Regardless of the stage of life, your credit score is an essential component of your financial health when you're in retirement. A consistently strong credit score can pave the way for greater confidence, easy loan access, and lower...
Read MoreA 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...
Read MoreSECURE 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...
Read MoreReality Check on Your Retirement Savings
Whether you’re 23 or 35, it’s important to know whether you are saving enough for your retirement. There is no time like the present to ensure you are allocating enough funds to your retirement account. With folks...
Read MoreThe Stock Market Roller Coaster: Will You Succumb to Fear or Ride it Out?
The stock market is like a roller coaster that goes unpredictably up and down. It can be fun and exciting one minute and terrifying the next. When people think of the stock market, they think of wealth accumulation.
Read MoreWhat Health Insurance May (or May Not) Cover
Health insurance plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our well-being and providing financial support in times of need. However, these plans can differ significantly in terms of what their coverage includes.
Read More'Tis the Season for Scammers: 3 Steps to Spot Charity Fraud
For many people, the holiday season is when you enjoy family and friends and give a little back to those in need. Charitable giving is its highest during the holiday months.
Read MoreHow to Make Keeping Track of Your Finances Easy
Now is an excellent time to start evaluating your current financial situation, determining your future goals and expectations, and working toward pursuing them.
Read MoreWhy Did Retirement Confidence Falter in 2023?
In its annual Retirement Confidence Survey of current workers and retirees, the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that workers' confidence in their ability to fund retirement fell.
Read MoreCharitable Giving: A Family Affair
Booker T. Washington once said, "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others." In 2022, Americans gave $499.33 billion to charitable organizations, making America one of the most generous nations in the world.
Read MoreEstate Planning and Asset Protection: Are They The Same?
You may sometimes hear the terms "estate planning" and "asset protection" used interchangeably. They actually have different meanings, and it's important to incorporate both strategies into future financial plans.
Read MoreWhat Can A Financial Professional Do for Non-Profits?
As of 2017, about two-thirds of all nonprofit organizations in the U.S. had annual budgets of less than $1 million.[1] For these non-profit organizations, every penny has a purpose.
Read MoreFour Retirement Plan Trends to Watch in 2023
Tips so employers can help employees plan a confident and stable retirement. Amidst a backdrop of a volatile market and potential inflationary pressures, these shifts can shape the future of employee retirement planning significantly.
Read MoreLPL Financial Research Midyear Outlook 2023: The Path Toward Stability
Our 2023 investing outlook started with a theme of returning to normalcy. Considering 2022’s market volatility and the aftereffects of the pandemic, the idea of finding balance was certainly a welcomed change.
Read MoreWhy You Need a Summer Emergency Fund
Summer is the season of fun and relaxation, but it can also be a time of unexpected expenses. From last-minute vacations to sudden home repairs, these months can often put a strain on your finances.
Read MoreGenerational Wealth and the Gift of Financial Freedom
Those who receive an inheritance with the passing of a loved one are potentially given the gift of financial freedom if they choose to manage the wealth carefully.
Read More5 Homeowner Estate Planning Tips to Consider
Estate planning helps disperse your assets according to your wishes. The effort may seem daunting at first, but estate planning does not have to be overly complicated.
Read More3 Ways Planning for Retirement is Like Planning for Summer Break
We discuss three ways that planning ahead for your retirement can be like scheduling your summer.
Read MoreSmall Business Owners: Are You Retirement Ready (or Not)?
For many, the thought of retiring and whether or not you are ready to take those first steps might be overwhelming or intimidating. Small business owners, check out this 6-question checklist to see if you're ready.
Read MoreNonprofit Boards -New Challenges and Responsibilities
Being a board member can be as demanding and rewarding as any full-time work. Here are some new challenges and responsibilities board members may face.
Read MoreShould Retirement Be Hard Work?
It may be safe to say that, when it comes to retirement, the best-laid plans can be made well before the traditional retirement age of 65. Here are some tips to follow.
Read MoreFive Ways SECURE 2.0 Changes the Required Minimum Distribution Rules
SECURE 2.0 includes significant changes to the rules that apply to required minimum distributions from IRAs and employer retirement plans. Here's what you need to know.
Read MoreSeven Things to Know About Philanthropy
Most Philanthropic donors are between ages 50 and 70, but the younger generations, Gen X and Millennials, give more than older donors as their wealth increases. Here are seven other things to know about philanthropy:
Read MoreClose to Retirement? What to Know About the SECURE Act 2.0
Are you getting close to retirement? With the Secure Act 2.0 now signed into law, there are numerous retirement-related provisions included in the Omnibus Appropriations package that may be of interest to you.
Read MoreWhy Caregivers Should Care About Estate Planning
If you are a caregiver and still unsure as to whether an estate plan is necessary, here are a few reasons to consider one.
Read More3 Steps to Strategic Philanthropy
Gene discusses what strategic philanthropy may mean for you and three guidelines you can use to develop your giving strategy.
Read MoreA Path to Setting and Reaching Your 2023 Goals
Setting goals for a new year can feel overwhelming. We all know that all resolutions don’t last, but we also feel the energy that comes with a new year of possibilities. Here’s a clearer path for setting and reaching your goals.
Read MoreCreating a Legacy of Change through Charitable Giving
Philanthropy today is different than it was in the past. It was once common for donors to distribute their wealth through smaller grants to numerous organizations. Over time, best practices for charitable giving have evolved, and...
Read MoreLPL Financial Research Outlook 2023: Finding Balance
Through all the challenges, newfound opportunities, and every high and low we’ve experienced during the last couple of years, it’s no surprise why we might be striving for more balance. Whether it’s about the markets...
Read MoreSmart Financial Moves to Make If You're in the Military
Every week is the perfect week for military families to take stock of their finances, make the most of special saving opportunities, and prepare for the future.Here are seven moves that military families should make right now.1. Make...
Read MoreA Guide to Incorporating Philanthropy into Your Financial Planning
If you're considering giving back to society or a cause as part of your financial planning, there are many ways you can do so. You can make an impact while receiving tax benefits by including philanthropic giving as part of a holistic...
Read MoreCharitable Giving: Making a Positive Difference
There are countless benefits of charitable giving. Through generous donations, you can make a difference in your community and society. You may also feel happier and even save on your taxes. Here are some key things to need to know...
Read More5 Common Financial Planning Challenges of Nonprofit Organizations
Many nonprofit organizations set out to help others. They provide services, guidance, support, or other resources to a specific group or cause. Yet, to do the work they do, they often need financial strength. Nonprofit organizations...
Read MoreEstate Planning for Family Caregivers
A surprising two out of every three American adults do not have any kind of written estate plan.1 For adults who also serve as family caregivers, not having a plan in place can pose major risks for them and their entire...
Read MoreLife Insurance and Charitable Giving
Life insurance can be an excellent tool for charitable giving. Not only does life insurance allow you to make a substantial gift to charity at relatively little cost to you, but you may also benefit from tax rules that apply to gifts...
Read MoreWhat Can A Financial Professional Do for Non-Profits?
As of 2017, about two-thirds of all nonprofit organizations in the U.S. had annual budgets of less than $1 million.[1] For these non-profit organizations where every penny has a purpose, having the services of a financial...
Read MoreSix Keys to More Successful Investing
A successful investor maximizes gain and minimizes loss. Though there can be no guarantee that any investment strategy will be successful and all investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, here are six basic...
Read MoreFinancial Freedom Starts with Financial Literacy
Celebrate Financial Freedom Day in July by understanding what financial literacy is and how to increase the financial literacy of all Americans so they can work towards financial freedom. By definition:“Financial...
Read MoreLPL Financial Research Midyear Outlook 2022: Navigating Turbulence
Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that may lie ahead. So far, this year hasn’t seen a...
Read MoreFinancial Planning Challenges and Strategies for the Sandwich Generation
Almost half of all adults are part of the "sandwich generation." These are adults in their 40s and 50s who are helping support or care for a parent while also supporting or caring for a child.1 Being caught between two generations of...
Read MoreAn Annuity Can Help Restore Your Confidence in Retirement
Sometimes we forget just how fragile a nest egg can be.When the economy tanked in 2008, retirees watched in horror as U.S. markets suffered historic losses. The Dow declined by more than 50%, its biggest drop since the Great Depression...
Read MoreFinancing Options for Homebuyers and Homeowners
For first-time homebuyers and homeowners who are considering refinancing their current mortgages, trying to decide between a fixed or an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) can be a bit puzzling. The future is relatively unpredictable, and...
Read MoreA Small-Business Owner’s Guide to Investing in Stocks
If you own a business and want to diversify your assets by investing in stocks, today’s online brokerages make trading fairly easy. However, stock investing is risky, especially in a volatile market. Here are four key...
Read MoreLife Insurance Options for Older Adults
Many people incorrectly assume that life insurance is available only to younger adults. While death is a certainty for all, younger people may be statistically less likely to cause a claim on their policy. Nevertheless, some life...
Read MoreDetermining Eligibility for Social Security Benefits
What is it?Before you receive any Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will need to determine your eligibility. Remember that Social Security is an insurance system designed to pay you benefits during...
Read MoreInvest in Your Financial Education During Financial Literacy Month
April brings more than possible rain showers. It also marks Financial Literacy Month in the U.S. Whether you’re interested in a quick refresher or seeking to learn something new, it may be worth the effort to brush up on some...
Read MoreChoosing a Credit Card
Like dandelions in a spring lawn, credit card offers pop up everywhere--stuffing your mailbox, flashing on the Internet, even falling from the magazines in your doctor's waiting room. And they all sound so attractive. "0% APR until...
Read MoreProtect Financial Information from Prying Eyes on the Web
As more and more consumers search for financial information on the Internet, they may inadvertently leave themselves open to being “tracked” by certain companies and individuals. Visitors to financial websites have created...
Read MoreTen Ways to Stretch Your Money
We all want more money, and many of us would like to work less, as well. This may seem like a dilemma, yet there is a solution. One way to increase money without working is to avoid spending it in the first place. Some people call this...
Read MoreWhat Can the Best/Worst Stocks of 2021 Tell Us?
Looking for longer-term market trends that might shape the next few yearsLet’s be honest for a second: the DJIA, the S&P 500, NASDAQ, and the Russell 2000 all delivered one of the most surprising years in recent history. And...
Read More4 Ways to Be Your Own Financial Valentine
Whether you're single, paired, or somewhere in between, Valentine's Day may present the perfect opportunity to show your bank account some love. Below are four tips and tricks to set you on the path toward becoming your own financial...
Read MoreFive Things to Consider When Choosing a Tax Preparer
When choosing someone to help you prepare and file your taxes, you may be wondering exactly what criteria you should consider. How do you find someone to forge a professional relationship with for your needs? What questions should you...
Read MoreHow to Create the Best Personal Finance Spreadsheet
Creating budgets isn’t always the most fun activity, but it can be easy to budget if you take the time to make a template that works for your needs. There are various financial trackers out there, but the most widely used (and...
Read MoreFive Healthy Habits for Financial Wellness
Financial stress can have a direct negative impact on a person's health and happiness. Unfortunately, this may lead to a downward spiral. The more stress you're feeling, the larger your financial hurdles may seem, and the more you may...
Read MoreUnderstanding Charitable Giving
Charitable giving is a great way to support your community, make an impact, or leave a legacy while receiving tax benefits for giving. If you choose to give and find an organization you’re passionate about, add charitable giving...
Read MoreEnd of 2021 Tax Planning: Scenarios That May Impact You
By becoming familiar with certain deductions and rules, you may be able to avoid costly tax-related mistakes. Here’s what you need to know for the end of 2021 tax planning that may impact you: Required Minimum Distributions...
Read More