According to a 2024 survey, 60% of small businesses believe that cyberattacks are the biggest threat they currently face, and rightly so.1 When a data breach occurs, hackers gain access to the personally identifiable information of customers or other individuals, opening the door for identity theft and other financial crimes. Even small companies can be […]
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Breaking Down the Numbers: The Soaring U.S. National Debt
The U.S. national debt is the total amount of money owed by the federal government. As of January 2025, it stands at $36.16 trillion.1 The difference between deficit and debt When the federal government spends more money than it collects in taxes in any given fiscal year (the government’s fiscal year runs from October 1 […]
The Lock-In Effect: Will It Ever Let Go of the Housing Market?
Since 2022, many homeowners have been reluctant to sell and move because they would have to finance their next homes at much higher rates than they pay on their current mortgages. According to a federal analysis, this widespread conundrum — known as the lock-in effect — has contributed to a nationwide housing shortage and a steep rise […]
Have You Checked Your Social Security Statement Lately?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides personalized Social Security Statements to help Americans age 18 and older better understand the benefits that Social Security offers. Your Statement contains a detailed record of your earnings and estimates of retirement, disability, and survivor benefits — information that can help you plan for your financial future. You can […]
Return of Premium Term Life Insurance: Is It Right for You?
You have decided you need life insurance coverage and are considering buying a term policy. But you might be wondering, “Do I get any of my money back at the end of the term?” It’s possible, if you consider buying a special kind of term insurance called return of premium term insurance, or ROP. How […]
The Versatile Roth IRA
Used with care, the Roth IRA may help serve several objectives at once — like a multipurpose tool in your financial-planning toolbox. Retirement First and foremost, a Roth IRA is designed to provide tax-free income in retirement. If your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) falls within certain limits, you can contribute up to $7,000 ($8,000 […]
Are You Missing the Bull’s-Eye with a Target-Date Fund?
Two out of three 401(k) participants have assets in a target-date fund — an “all-in-one” fund intended in theory to be the holder’s only investment (see chart). These funds are often the default option in workplace plans, so you may have a target-date fund without fully understanding what it is, or perhaps without even knowing […]
Catch Up for a More Comfortable Retirement
A 2024 survey found that only a third of U.S. workers age 50 and older feel that their savings contributions have them on track to enjoy a comfortable retirement.1 If your retirement account balance is lagging — or even if your nest egg seems robust — you can give your savings a boost by taking […]
Debt After Death: What Happens to Debt When Someone Dies?
Losing a loved one is never easy. In addition to the emotional challenges you may face, you might also be worried about what will happen to their debts once they are gone. Generally, with limited exceptions, when a loved one dies you will not be liable for their unpaid debts. Instead, their debts are typically […]
ETFs Are Closing the Gap with Mutual Funds
Investor demand for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has increased rapidly over the last decade due to attractive features that set them apart from mutual funds. At the end of 2024, over $10 trillion was invested in more than 3,600 ETFs. This was equivalent to 36% of the assets invested in mutual funds, up from 21% in […]
