Many forget to include life insurance when developing a financial plan. But life insurance effectively protects your family and loved ones from a catastrophic loss at any age. When considering life insurance, it's wise to look at various factors, including the number of people you support, debt, ongoing financial obligations, your life stage, and even tax considerations. Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance Life insurance is a financial protection policy. It helps you protect the people...
It used to be complicated and time-intensive to maintain a 401(k) for employees. However, according to a recent report from Capital One, 94% of small business owners who offer a 401(k) plan to employees report that this employee benefit is a factor in recruiting and employee loyalty. Maybe that's why 401(k)s have become a standard offering for many businesses today. If your company hasn’t started offering a 401(k), now might be a great time to...
Financial planning can be complex, and there are no guarantees that investments will grow in a predictable fashion. That's why some people have a hard time figuring out how much to put into stocks and bonds or what to expect from their investment down the road. However, even in an uncertain environment, there is a simple formula that you can use as a planning guide for growth over time that also factors in compound interest...
Investing in equities in other countries may provide an exciting opportunity for investors to diversify their portfolios and gain exposure to international markets. However, while there are many similarities to domestic markets, additional factors must be considered. That's why it is crucial to understand the potential risks and challenges associated with investing in foreign markets. More Choices The U.S. Stock Market dominates the world market, but that doesn't mean it offers everything. Looking for investments...
When a stock splits, a company increases the number of outstanding shares by dividing each existing share into multiple shares. This can make the company's shares more affordable to investors and increase liquidity by creating more shares available for trading. But what else do you need to know about stock splits? Here are six key facts to keep in mind. 1. A Stock Split Can Make Shares More Affordable By increasing the number of shares...
We've all used the new year as an opportunity for a fresh start, but new year's resolutions are famously hard to stick with. Maybe people find winter to be a little demoralizing (especially after the high of the Christmas holidays.) It gets dark early, and these months seem better suited to long naps than fresh starts. The start of daylight savings time, however, feels completely different. Spring is in the air. The days are getting...
On December 20, 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was signed into law. This Act expanded access to retirement plans for millions of Americans in several important ways. Nearly three years later, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which included a successor retirement bill, SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0). This act brings a range of changes to retirement savings. We've included some highlights below. Changes are...
On December 20, 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was signed into law. This Act expanded access to retirement plans for millions of Americans in several important ways. Nearly three years later, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which included a successor retirement bill, SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0). This act brings a range of changes to retirement savings. We've included some highlights below. Changes are...
