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75% OF AMERICANS AGREE THEY WOULD BENEFIT FROM HAVING BASIC FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION.
Source: The 2016 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey, The National Foundation for Credit Counseling
Welcome to our research center! We've put together a library of information on important financial topics that we believe you'll find helpful.
Source: The 2016 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey, The National Foundation for Credit Counseling
Welcome to our research center! We've put together a library of information on important financial topics that we believe you'll find helpful.
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ESTATES & TRUSTS
ESTATE PLANNING
Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property distributed, but they also go beyond that. LIVING TRUSTS
A living trust can help control the distribution of your estate upon death. AVOIDING PROBATE
The probate process can be lengthy and complex. There are strategies you can use to help avoid the probate process. CHARITABLE GIVING
To retain the tax advantages associated with charitable giving, your gift must be made to a qualified organization. PRESERVING MY ESTATE
Life insurance can be used to help preserve your estate’s value for your heirs. CONTROLLING THE DISTRIBUTION
If you haven’t taken steps already, consider planning now for the distribution of your estate’s assets. PAYING ESTATE TAXES
If you believe your estate will be subject to estate taxes, consider how your heirs will pay the bill. BENEFITS OF A-B TRUSTS
An A-B trust can be an effective way to help reduce estate taxes and preserve family assets for heirs. GIFTING STRATEGIES
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different gifting strategies available for planned giving. CHARITABLE LEAD TRUSTS
Charitable lead trusts are designed for people who would like to benefit a charity now rather than later. CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS
A designated income beneficiary could receive payment of a specified amount from a charitable remainder trust. WEALTH REPLACEMENT TRUSTS
A wealth replacement trust could be used to gift appreciated assets to a charity as well as provide for heirs. FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS
One estate planning strategy that families with closely held businesses could consider is the family limited partnership. PROPERTY OWNERSHIP
Sole ownership, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, and community property have special benefits for property owners. HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL ESTATE TAX
Careful estate planning is still one of the most important ways to manage and protect your assets for your heirs. RETIREMENT
SEP IRAS
A SEP IRA is a type of plan under which the employer contributes (up to a certain limit) to an employee’s IRA. SIMPLE IRAS
The SIMPLE plan may appeal to small business owners as it is easy to set up, administer, and allows for a tax deduction. STRETCH IRAS
A “stretch” or “multigenerational” IRA may be a useful approach to extend tax-deferred savings that can benefit your heirs for generations. IRA ROLLOVER
If you leave a job or retire, you should consider your options regarding your employer retirement plan assets. 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. PROFIT-SHARING PLANS
Profit-sharing plans give employees a share in the profits of a company and can help to fund their retirements. MONEY PURCHASE PENSION PLANS
A money purchase plan is a retirement plan where employer contributions are based on a fixed percentage of compensation. 403(B) PLANS
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 PURCHASE ANNUITIES
Annuities, an insurance-based financial vehicle, can provide many benefits that retirement investors might want. SPLIT-ANNUITY STRATEGY
A split-annuity strategy can generate immediate income while potentially stretching some retirement savings. 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. 1035 EXCHANGES
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 59 that can impact your taxes, Medicare eligibility, and retirement benefits. YOUR BUSINESS AND RETIREMENT
Allocating too much of your retirement investments to one company, even your own, can be a risky proposition. PLANNING OPTIONS
There are a variety of retirement planning options that could help meet your needs. Here are some of the most popular. FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
Greater demand is being placed on the Social Security system as the baby boom generation has begun to retire. SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME
The Social Security Administration’s retirement estimator gives estimates of your future benefits based on your actual Social Security earnings record. SELF-EMPLOYED RETIREMENT PLANS
Tax-deferred retirement plans for self-employed individuals have higher contribution limits than IRAs. INDEXED ANNUITIES
An indexed annuity may provide some upside potential and downside protection. RETIREMENT PLAN DISTRIBUTIONS
When receiving money accumulated in your employer-sponsored retirement plan, you have two options: lump sum or annuity. TRADITIONAL IRAS
If you do not participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you might consider a traditional IRA. 401(K) PLANS
401(k) employer-sponsored retirement plans have many benefits, including that the funds accumulate tax-deferred. MANAGING RETIREMENT PLANS
Employer-sponsored retirement plans are more important than ever, but managing the assets can be confusing. SAVE NOW OR SAVE LATER
If you start saving for retirement sooner, the more money you are likely to accumulate and possibly retire sooner. ROTH IRAS
Qualified Roth IRA distributions in retirement are free of federal income tax and aren’t included in gross income. |
TAX PLANNING
CAPITAL GAIN TAX
Capital gains are profits realized from the sale of assets; a tax is triggered only when an asset is sold, not held. ESTATE TAX
Everything you own, whatever the form of ownership, is subject to federal, and possibly state, estate taxes. GIFT TAX
The federal gift tax applies to gifts of property or money while the donor is living. RETIREMENT PLAN LIMITS
IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government. REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS
Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account. CHARITABLE TRUST TAX BENEFITS
For the grantor, there are a few potential tax benefits that can come with setting up a charitable trust. RETIREMENT PLAN TAXES
With traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans, taxes are not payable until funds are withdrawn. WITHDRAWING BEFORE AGE 59.5
Tax-deferred retirement account withdrawals before age 59½ generally triggers a 10% federal income tax penalty. TAX DEFERRAL
There can be a substantial benefit to deferring taxes as long as possible. TAX-ADVANTAGED INVESTMENTS
Many traditional tax-advantaged investment strategies have gone away, but there are still some alternatives. TAX DEDUCTIONS
Changes to the tax code have left a few key deductions for itemizers, like medical, dental and some business expenses. TAX-ADVANTAGED ALTERNATIVES
While stable, CDs can create quite an income tax bill. Fixed annuities and municipal bonds can offer tax advantages. TAX STRATEGIES FOR RETIREMENT PLANS
Consider a trustee-to-trustee transfer to an IRA versus a lump-sum distribution from a workplace retirement plan. TAX-FREE INVESTMENTS
It’s important to understand tax-exempt vehicles when establishing a comprehensive tax planning strategy. MUTUAL FUND PROFITS
Want to keep more of your mutual fund profits? You may be interested in strategies to help lower your tax liability. TAX-FREE INSURANCE UPGRADES
A 1035 exchange allows you to exchange your life insurance policy for one from another company without tax liability. UNITED STATES TAX HISTORY
American tax law is a constantly changing landscape. The latest major piece of tax legislation is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. INVESTING
how-are-annuities-taxed.htmlANNUITY TAXES
One attractive feature of an annuity is tax-deferral but qualified and non-qualified annuities are taxed differently. BOND LADDERS
A bond ladder is a strategy involving the purchase of bonds that have staggered maturity dates. COMMON STOCK VS. PREFERRED STOCK
It’s important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of common stock versus preferred stock. DIVIDENDS
It is important to understand how dividends (taxable payments to shareholders) fit with your long-term goals. EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS
ETFs have unique attributes and attempt to track all types of indexes, industries, or commodities. GROWTH STOCKS VS. VALUE STOCKS
The labels “growth” and “value” reflect different approaches that can be used when making investment decisions. MUTUAL FUND TAXES
Mutual fund taxes can be cumbersome, but there are ways to help mitigate the amount of taxes you may owe. STOCK
Before investing in stocks, it is important to understand some of the basics and the risks involved in owning stocks. ZERO-COUPON BONDS
Zero-coupon bonds represent a type of bond that does not pay interest during the life of the bond. DIVERSIFICATION
An important element to successful investing is to manage investment risk while maintaining the potential for growth. TYPES OF BONDS
Bonds are issued by many entities and share many characteristics, each type of bond has certain benefits and risks. BONDS
A bond is simply evidence of a debt from a government entity or a corporation and represents a long-term IOU. BOND RATINGS
Bond ratings gauge a bond issuer’s financial ability to repay its promised principal and interest payments. STOCK INDEXES
Stock market indexes can be useful benchmarks for gauging the performance of an investment portfolio over time. MUTUAL FUNDS VS. STOCKS
The difference between purchasing an individual stock versus shares in a mutual fund to potentially earn dividends. MUTUAL FUNDS
A mutual fund is a collection of stocks, bonds, and other securities with certain benefits and risks. CLOSED-END FUNDS
With closed-end funds, investors pool their money together to purchase a professionally managed portfolio of stocks and/or bonds. MUTUAL FUND LOADS
It’s important to understand mutual fund loads, or sales charges, and exactly what they entail so you can make informed investing decisions. ANNUITIES
An annuity is a flexible financial vehicle that can help protect against the risk of living a long time because it provides an option for a lifetime income. FIXED VS. VARIABLE ANNUITIES
Both fixed and variable annuities could be appropriate options for an individual interested in purchasing an annuity. INVESTMENT RISKS
Understanding different types of investment risk can help investors manage their money more effectively. ASSET CLASSES
There are five broad asset classes that you should take into consideration when constructing your investment portfolio. ASSET ALLOCATION
Asset allocation is a method used to help manage investment risk; it does not guarantee a profit or protect against investment loss. COLLEGE SAVINGS PLANS
There are several funding methods for a child's college education including mutual funds and Section 529 plans. COLLEGE INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Starting to invest early for college and remaining consistent can help investors reach their goals. STOCK AND BOND INVESTING ALTERNATIVES
There are other ways to invest in stocks and bonds besides owning individual shares or bonds. DOLLAR-COST AVERAGING
Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a set amount of money on a regular basis, regardless of market conditions. 529 PLANS
529 plans are tax-advantaged college savings plans that generally allow people of any income level to contribute. |
CASH MANAGEMENT
CASH MANAGEMENT BASICS
A sound cash management program uses a disciplined approach: accounting, analysis, allocation, and adjustment. DOUBLING YOUR MONEY
Before making investment decisions, it is helpful to determine the real rate of return on the investment. CASH MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Short-term cash management instruments can help you establish a sound cash management program. BIWEEKLY MORTGAGES
Biweekly mortgage payments can have a dramatic effect on the amount of interest homeowners have to pay. REVERSE MORTGAGES
There are techniques that can enable older homeowners to use their property to finance their lifestyle. COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID
It's important to understand the options, such as financial aid grant programs, when having to pay for college. SAVINGS ALTERNATIVES
There are a number of savings alternatives that could help you earn a reasonable rate of return. EFFECTS OF INFLATION
Historically, one of the best ways to fight the effects of inflation has been to utilize growth-oriented investments. HOME EQUITY LOANS
Shifting some debt to a home equity loan, which typically allows interest payments to be tax deductible, could have its advantages. RISK MANAGEMENT
WHY PURCHASE LIFE INSURANCE
If you have a family who relies on your income, it is important to have life insurance protection. ANNUITIES AS AN INSURANCE PRODUCT
An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company to pay you future income in exchange for premiums you pay. PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE
Property and casualty insurance can help protect a variety of assets. Find out what it does and doesn’t cover. BUSINESS OWNER POLICIES
A business owner policy is an insurance package that assembles the basic coverages required by a business owner in one bundle. LIFE INSURANCE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
Company-owned life insurance is one way to help protect a business from financial problems caused by the death of a key employee. SPLIT-DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE
Split-dollar life insurance is an arrangement to purchase and fund life insurance between two parties. LAST-SURVIVOR LIFE INSURANCE
Couples who want to help protect their legacy from estate taxes could consider last-survivor life insurance. DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
As a business owner, a disability can create an economic hardship putting both your personal finances and business at risk. TERM LIFE INSURANCE
Term life insurance differs from permanent forms of life insurance in that it offers temporary protection. WHOLE LIFE INSURANCE
Some of the pros and cons of whole life insurance. UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE
Consider a universal life insurance policy if you want the flexibility to change your premium or death benefit. VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
Variable life insurance gives you the control to allocate your account value among a variety of investment options. AUTO INSURANCE
Even if your state doesn’t require certain types of auto insurance, it may be wise to purchase multiple types to ensure you are covered for a variety of situations. INSURANCE CLAIMS
When it is time to make an insurance claim, it helps if you are familiar with your policies and the steps you should take to file a claim. MAXIMIZING YOUR INSURANCE BENEFITS
Several factors could undermine the financial security provided by the proceeds of your life insurance policy. INSURING YOUR FUTURE
To help you choose insurance wisely, determine how much coverage and what kind of policy is best for your situation. PROTECTING YOUR HOME
Since your home is one of your greatest assets, you should make sure it is adequately protected. That's where homeowners insurance enters the picture. ASSESSING DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE
Knowing the basics of a disability income insurance policy is a good first step toward protecting your family. TYPES OF HEALTH COVERAGE
There are three basic types of medical insurance plans: fee-for-service, managed care, and high-deductible health plan. ADDITIONAL LIABILITY COVERAGE
Consider additional liability insurance to help protect you from the potentially devastating effects of liability lawsuits EVALUATING INSURANCE COMPANIES
Using a financially sound insurance company is an important part of ensuring your family’s financial security. LONG-TERM CARE COSTS
The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin. MEDICARE COVERAGE
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for those persons age 65 and over. But what does it cover? LONG-TERM-CARE NEEDS
If you were to suffer an illness or disability that required long-term nursing care, would you be covered? TYPES OF LIFE INSURANCE
When selecting a life insurance policy, examine all your options, as well as the positives and negatives of each type |
Tax Library
We've put together a collection of resources to help you manage your taxes as well as prepare for the upcoming tax season. Simply click on one of the topics below and you'll find a selection of tools and information related to taxes and tax strategies.
We've put together a collection of resources to help you manage your taxes as well as prepare for the upcoming tax season. Simply click on one of the topics below and you'll find a selection of tools and information related to taxes and tax strategies.
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FEDERAL TAX PUBLICATIONS
Access IRS Publications. FEDERAL TAX CALENDAR
View key dates for the upcoming tax season. |
FEDERAL TAX RATES
Find your tax rate. |
