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Five Tips to Ensure You Are Prepared for Long-Term Care in Retirement

As Gen X-ers and Millennials move toward retirement, long-term care expenses are poised to make up an even larger share of their retirement expenses. In 2021, long-term care cost American adults an average of between $35,000 and $108,000 annually—a hefty price tag for even the most diligent savers.1But if you start planning early and focus on your goals, preparing for long-term care doesn't need to be an insurmountable hurdle. Here are five tips to help guide your path. Understand What
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The Best Investment: Teaching Your Children to Save and Invest

A 2022 Gallup Poll found that 58% of all adult Americans own stock. The top 1% owns more than half the total amount invested among those who own stock. 1 Making investing possible for your children, nieces, nephews and other loved ones may be the key to improving their financial future and getting them off to a good start in adulthood. Here are a few ways to help your children develop good habits regarding saving and investing. Start Them Saving EarlyIf you start your children early with go
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Which Student Loan Repayment Strategy Is Appropriate for You?

When it comes to repaying your student loans, one size does not necessarily fit all. The key to a manageable repayment plan is to find a strategy that works well for your goals, budget, and lifestyle. Here is some questions to help you assess a student loan repayment plan for your situation. Is Refinancing Always the “Best” Option? Although refinancing may be a great way to lower your interest rate, consolidate multiple loans into one simple payment, or extend your loan term and low
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Everything You Need to Know About 529 Plan Withdrawals

529 plans can be used in every state to pay for education expenses at private K-12 and secondary education institutions such as in-state and out-of-state colleges, universities, and technical colleges. 529 plans are qualified tuition plans that allow state and federal tax-free withdrawals of earnings when used to pay for qualified education expenses. When it's time to withdraw funds from the 529 plan, you must follow the IRS rules to mitigate penalties.
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Social Security Simplified: Common Questions and Answers

Most American workers who earn wage income and pay Social Security taxes via withholding receive Social Security benefits at some point in retirement. While the Social Security Administration has tried to make the process easier to understand and navigate, many questions remain.
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Worried About Life After Work? Get More Out of Your Social Security Benefits Wit

Social Security benefits are critical to retirement planning. These monthly benefits provide a financial safety net for millions of Americans. But you must navigate the system strategically to get the most out of your Social Security benefits. Here are some valuable tips to help you manage your Social Security benefits that may make your retirement more comfortable. Understand Full Retirement Age Your full retirement age (FRA) is from age 66 to 67, depending on the year you were born.1 Your FRA
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Social Security Isn’t Enough: How Social Security Fits into a Well-Rounded Retir

If you're nearing retirement age, you know the Social Security process and how much you will likely receive. With that information, you may have also anticipated that your Social Security benefit would not be enough to sustain you in retirement and, by itself, would not fully allow you to enjoy your retirement plans.
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College Cost Data Released for 2023-2024

Every year, the College Board releases new college cost data and trends in its annual report. The figures published are average cost figures based on a survey of approximately 4,000 colleges across the country.
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2024 Challenge of 401(k) Catch-Up Contributions

Retirement planning has become a puzzle of intricate legislation, and the recent changes brought about by the SECURE 2.0 Act have only added more complexity.
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2024 Contribution Limits: What’s New?

Life today is expensive, and contributing to a retirement plan is more beneficial than ever. Recently, the IRS announced it was raising the contribution limit for 401(k)s to $23,000 for 2024, up from $22,500. In a world where pensions are nearly gone, having the ability to put more money away can help you prepare for a retirement that may be here faster than you think.
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A 12 Days of Christmas Financial Planning Checklist

The Christmas season is an excellent time of the year to review your financial planning strategy. Our finances are top of mind as most of us are monitoring our spending as the holiday and new year approaches. Here is a 12 days of Christmas financial planning checklist to keep you off Santa's naughty list.
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Spreading Holiday Cheer with Year-End Giving

The holidays are nearly upon us-- a time of giving, goodwill to others, and embracing traditions. For many people, giving to a charity or organization that aligns with your values provides a sense of fulfillment. If you itemize deductions on your income tax return, you can deduct gifts made to charities. Here are six year-end giving strategies to spread holiday cheer with the additional gift of potential tax benefits.
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2023 Year-End Tax Tips

Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year.
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Saving for Your Retirement

When do you plan to retire? What kind of lifestyle do you desire? These are all factors you will need to consider when you determine how much you'll need.
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Choosing a Retirement Date: Is the End or First of the Year Better?

There are only 24 hours of separation between the last day of the year and the first day of the new year. Nevertheless, choosing the official calendar date of your retirement to be in one calendar year over another is not a trivial decision. The date you choose for retirement may mess with your retirement money, may cost you more (or less) in taxes, and might cause you to lose bonuses or benefits.
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High-Net-Worth Individuals and the Benefits of Philanthropy

High-net-worth (HNW) individuals have investable assets of a million dollars or more. Their substantial monetary resources often put them in a position to contribute monetarily and significantly improve society. The value of philanthropy extends far beyond the immediate beneficiaries of the HNW individuals' contributions.
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Shutdowns and the Impact to Financial Markets

Government shutdowns have become a recurrent feature of American politics, with their origins dating back to the late 20th century. These shutdowns, which occur when the U.S. government fails to pass a budget or spending bill, can have profound effects on various aspects of society. Among the most significant consequences are their impact on financial markets, particularly bond and equity markets.
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How Much of Your Income Should You Save?

Saving money is a fundamental aspect of personal finance that can significantly impact your financial security and future goals. However, determining the ideal amount to put away isn't a one-size-fits-all equation. Here are a few tips to help you find a savings amount that works for you.
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Valuing Liabilities Like Assets: A Comprehensive Financial Perspective

When the topic of financial planning comes up, most individuals naturally gravitate towards the idea of growing their assets. Stocks, bonds, real estate, and retirement accounts usually dominate these discussions. However, a comprehensive financial strategy doesn't only involve focusing on what you own, but also on what you owe. Liabilities, or the debts one owes, are just as crucial to understand...
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