Are you a fit for Whole Life Insurance? In exchange for fixed premiums, an insurance company promises to pay a set benefit when the policyholder dies, but also offers additional benefits as well. Whole life insurance policies can build up cash value — effectively a cash reserve that pays a modest rate of return, and [...]
Renters sometimes overlook the need for insurance based on the belief that they may not have a significant amount of personal possessions, or because the property is already insured by the owner. While it is true that a rental property is insured by the owner, the destruction or loss of your personal belongings is not. [...]
The city of Detroit emerged from bankruptcy in 2014. Still, its previous inability to pay investors left some questioning their long-held assumption about the relative safety of municipal bonds. Without question, in the wake of Detroit’s troubles, gaining a better understanding of municipal bonds makes more sense than ever.1 At their most basic level, there [...]
Insurance is meant to protect you against financial loss. But is it really meant to protect you from any and all financial loss? When it comes to filing a loss claim on your home insurance, there may be times when not filing may be the wisest course of action.1 According to one study, the national [...]
Whether through inertia or trepidation, investors who put off important investment decisions might consider the admonition offered by motivational speaker Brian Tracy, "Almost any decision is better than no decision at all." This investment inaction is played out in many ways, often silently, invisibly, and with potential consequences to an individual’s future financial security. Let's [...]
Age 50 At age 50, workers in certain qualified retirement plans are able to begin making annual catch-up contributions in addition to their normal contributions. Those who participate in 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans can contribute an additional $7,500 per year in 2025. Those who participate in Simple Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or Simple 401(k) [...]
Few events are more stressful and disruptive than an unexpected job loss or layoff. For many, it’s a hit not just to finances but also to confidence and sense of self. You're not alone if you’ve been laid off—or if the idea is an all-consuming concern. According to a November 2024 MarketWatch survey, 70% of [...]
Yes, you might be able to create a Roth individual retirement account (IRA) if you’re over the income limit. This strategy involves converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. The idea, often referred to as a “backdoor Roth conversion,” is sometimes used by individuals whose incomes exceed the current limits for direct Roth IRA [...]
Understanding What Drives Higher Prices Can Help Improve Retirement Planning According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2024 Retirement Confidence Survey, 83% of workers are concerned that the higher cost of living will make it harder to save as much as they want toward retirement. If you’re like most retirement savers, you’ve likely had concerns [...]
Taking Advantage of a Roth Contribution Option Can Give You Some Flexibility in Retirement According to Vanguard’s “How America Saves 2024,” 82% of employers offer a Roth 401(k) option in addition to a traditional, or regular, 401(k) option. However, just 17% of employees contribute to a Roth. If you have access to a Roth 401(k) [...]
