November

• HOT TOPIC: Monetary Policy: Should Investors Fear the Fed?

  How the Federal Reserve Board’s actions influence interest rates, economic growth, and inflation.

• Is a Roth 401(k) Right for You?

  An overview of the potential benefits, limitations, and rules of Roth 401(k) accounts.

• Help with College: A Gift for Your Grandkids

  Helping a grandchild obtain a college degree could be life-changing for the student. Still, it’s important to consider how a gift could affect student aid and taxes.

• Health Savings Account: Funding an HSA Could Help You Prepare for Retirement

  In addition to setting aside pre-tax income to pay current and future medical expenses, an HSA could play an important role in your long-term retirement strategy.

October

• Seven Classic Investing Quotes

  Seven classic quotes about investing from successful investors, economists, and other insightful thinkers.

• Social Security 101

  An overview of basic Social Security rules and options that are often misunderstood, whether workers are looking forward to claiming benefits in 1 or 30 years.

• Key Tax Breaks for Business Owners

  Small-business owners will want to take full advantage of every legal tax break available, such as deductions for a home office and automobile expenses.

September

• Risk Tolerance Is About You, Not the Market

  An investor’s personal situation should be considered when assessing his or her risk tolerance.

• A Map to Guide Your Family

  A letter of instruction could be just as important as a will to help heirs settle an estate and move forward with their lives.

• Family Limited Partnerships for Estate Planning Purposes

  A family limited partnership is a legal agreement that enables business owners and their heirs to address tax issues, business succession, and estate planning needs.

August

• HOT TOPIC — U.S. Fiscal Issues: Larger Deficits Are Driving Up Debt

  Why federal budget deficits are rising, and what the current fiscal situation could mean for the future of the U.S. economy.

• Oil Prices and the Economy

  The relationship between oil prices and GDP growth has become more complicated in recent years due to the expanded U.S. presence in the global oil market.

July

• HOT TOPIC — Pain at the Pump: Why Does It Cost More to Fill Your Tank?

  A look at the relationship between oil and gas prices, and how global factors have driven up prices at U.S. fuel pumps.

• New Tax Law Expands 529 Savings Plans

  An overview of Section 529 savings plans, including their traditional use for college saving and the new rules for K-12 tuition.

• Making Sense of Bond Behavior

  Some strategies to help fixed-income portfolios weather a period of interest rate uncertainty.

June

• HOT TOPIC — Wage Growth: Watching for a Tipping Point

  The factors that may be restraining workers’ wages and the economic implications of continued weakness or a sudden surge.

• Chained CPI and Your Taxes

  One change made by 2017 tax legislation, a new way of measuring inflation, may have a significant effect on individual taxpayers over the long term.

• Beyond Medicare: What Are Your Options?

  A Medigap policy or a Medicare Advantage Plan could help provide more stability for health-care spending during retirement.

May

• Where There's a Will…

  A 2017 survey found that only 42% of U.S. adults had a will or living trust. Here are three basic reasons why everyone should have a will.

• The Cost of Caregiving

  About 40 million family caregivers in the U.S. provide unpaid care to another adult. Understand the associated financial, physical, and emotional costs.

April

• Pick Your Plastic: Debit or Credit?

  Some pros and cons for the use of credit cards versus debit cards for purchases.

March

• Four Financial Numbers You Should Know

  Four financial numbers that you should understand (and that could potentially improve your financial situation).

• Phasing Out…or Practice Makes Perfect

  Here are some ideas for arranging a phased retirement program, as well as tips for trying a practice run.

February

• HOT TOPIC — Business Tax Breaks: Impact on Earnings and the Economy

  An overview of the tax changes affecting corporations and pass-through businesses and the potential implications for GDP growth.

• Options for Inherited IRAs

  Here is an overview of IRA distribution rules and options for surviving spouses and nonspouse beneficiaries.

• How Long Should You Keep Financial Records?

  The beginning of the year is a great time to organize records and discard old documents to make room for new ones.

• Settling an Estate

  Settling an estate can be a difficult and time-consuming job as there are some specific duties that often fall on an executor.

January

• HOT TOPIC — Tax Reform: How Will You Be Affected?

  In December 2017, Congress passed a sweeping tax-cut package that fundamentally changes the individual and business tax landscape.

• International Investing: Opportunities Overseas?

  Investing in emerging markets and developing economies has both risks and opportunities.