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.

Estates & Trusts

Retirement

  • What Is a SEP IRA?

    A SEP IRA is a type of plan under which the employer contributes (up to a certain limit) to an employee’s IRA.

  • What Is a SIMPLE?

    The SIMPLE plan may appeal to small business owners as it is easy to set up, administer, and allows for a tax deduction.

  • What Is an IRA Rollover?

    If you leave a job or retire, you should consider your options regarding your employer retirement plan assets.

  • What Is a Roth 401(k)?

    A Roth 401(k) is funded with after-tax money, and allows for tax- and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings if requirements are met.

  • What Is a Profit-Sharing Plan?

    Profit-sharing plans give employees a share in the profits of a company and can help to fund their retirements.

  • What Is a Money Purchase Pension Plan?

    A money purchase plan is a retirement plan where employer contributions are based on a fixed percentage of compensation.

  • What Is a 403(b) Plan?

    A 403(b) plan is a tax-deferred retirement savings plan that can only be offered by a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity.

  • Why Do People Buy Annuities?

    Annuities, an insurance-based financial vehicle, can provide many benefits that retirement investors might want.

  • What Is a Split-Annuity Strategy?

    A split-annuity strategy can generate immediate income while potentially stretching some retirement savings.

  • 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.

  • A New Chapter for Retirement

    With the changing pension landscape, it is important to take charge of your own retirement security.

  • 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.

  • Should You Bank Your Retirement on Your Business?

    Allocating too much of your retirement investments to one company, even your own, can be a risky proposition.

  • Save Now or Save Later?

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

Tax Planning

Investing

  • What Are Dividends?

    It is important to understand how dividends (taxable payments to shareholders) fit with your long-term goals.

  • What Is an Exchange-Traded Fund?

    ETFs have unique attributes and attempt to track all types of indexes, industries, or commodities.

  • How Are Growth and Value Stocks Different?

    The labels growth and value reflect different approaches that can be used when making investment decisions.

  • 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 Stock?

    Before investing in stocks, it is important to understand some of the basics and the risks involved in owning stocks.

  • What Are Zero-Coupon Bonds?

    Zero-coupon bonds represent a type of bond that does not pay interest during the life of the bond.

  • What Is a Closed-End Fund?

    With closed-end funds, investors pool their money together to purchase a professionally managed portfolio of stocks and/or bonds.

Cash Management

Risk Management