Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance to retired individuals, regardless of their medical condition, and certain younger people with disabilities or end-stage renal disease. Medicare has several parts, many of which include a premium cost based on your tax filing status and income. If your income is high, in some cases you […]
Fine-Tuning with Sector Funds
As its name suggests, the S&P 500 Index contains about 500 stocks. These represent the largest U.S. companies across a broad range of industries, and the index as a whole is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. But though index ups and downs may suggest uniform market movements, performance of individual companies and […]
Convertible Bonds Straddle the Line Between Fixed Income and Potential Growth
A convertible bond is a regular corporate bond that comes with a special added feature: the investor has the right to convert it into shares of that company’s common stock. U.S. convertible bond issuance reached $96.0 billion in 2024, far surpassing the $61.5 billion issued in 2023.1 The strong upward trend that began in 2023 picked […]
Peer-to-Peer Payments Are Popular, but Be Careful
Making a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment is a convenient way to transfer money to family, friends, or businesses. Whether you’re splitting a bill or paying a babysitter, if you have someone’s contact information, you can send or receive money quickly and easily using a mobile app or an online platform linked to your bank account or […]
Golf Is Back, but Good Luck Getting a Tee Time
Interest in the game was waning before the pandemic, until the focus on safer outdoor activities led 3.0 million new golfers to take up the sport in 2020, followed by 3.2 million in 2021. In 2023, a record 3.4 million people played on a golf course for the first time.1 Overall, 26.6 million Americans played golf […]
A Backup Plan for Your Paycheck
Your ability to earn a paycheck may be your most valuable asset. In a 2024 survey, 48% of Americans without disability insurance said their household would have to use personal savings to pay daily expenses in the event of a disability, and 26% said they would have to tap retirement savings.1 Social Security offers some […]
Are Extended Warranties Worth It?
When you purchase a vehicle, a major appliance, a laptop, or other big-ticket item, chances are you’ll be asked to buy an extended warranty or service contract. Extended warranties are offered by retailers for an additional cost and cover product repairs for a specific period of time under certain conditions. Selling extended warranties may be […]
QLACs: Your Retirement Accounts Can Act Like Pensions
These days, most people who work in the private sector don’t have pensions, so they can only guess how long their retirement savings might need to last. Those who withdraw too much or live longer than expected could eventually run out of money; others may withdraw too little and live more frugally than might be […]
Life Insurance in Retirement
What role can life insurance play in your retirement plan? Most of us think of life insurance as protection against financial loss should we die prematurely. But when we reach retirement and the kids are all self-sufficient, do we still need life insurance? The answer is maybe. Here are some situations where life insurance may […]
Versatile 529 Plans Can Help with More than Just College
529 plans were originally created in 1996 as a tax-advantaged way to save for college. Over the past several years, Congress has expanded the ways 529 plan funds can be used, making them a more flexible and versatile savings vehicle. College, plus other education expenses A 529 savings plan can be instrumental in building a […]
