Newsletters

November

• Three Questions to Consider During Open Enrollment

  Making benefit elections for next year? This article covers three key areas that require careful consideration during open enrollment.

• Your Estate: Have You Looked at These Legal Documents Lately?

  This article looks at documents that should be kept up to date, including wills, trusts, advance medical directives, and beneficiary forms.

• Four Steps to Rebuilding Your Business

  Small-business owners may need to think on their feet and visualize what a recovery might look like for their operations post COVID-19.

October

• Business Cycle Basics: Recessions Begin and End Before We Know It

  This article discusses how economists identify and measure economic contractions and compares some characteristics of past recessions.

September

• Could You Be Responsible for Your Parents’ Nursing Home Bills?

  Filial responsibility laws can hold children responsible for certain parental debts. This potential liability is one reason to plan for long-term care needs.

• Survivor Benefits Provide a Financial Lifeline

  Decisions made when claiming Social Security retirement benefits can make a big difference in spousal and other dependents’ survivor benefits.

• Student Loan Stress? These Plans Might Help

  This article outlines the basic provisions of income-driven repayment plans that can help reduce the burden of federal student loans.

August

• HOT TOPIC: College Disrupted: Students Face High Costs and Pandemic Impact

  Paying for college can mean borrowing money or risking savings. This article focuses on financial aid and the importance of informed academic choices.

• Debit or Credit? Pick a Card

  Do you know the differences between debit and credit cards? This article discusses both and when it might be better to use a credit card.

• Crisis Relief: Financial Lifelines for Affected Workers

  Temporary crisis relief legislation makes it easier to access retirement account funds and extends paid leave for workers at some small businesses.

July

• HOT TOPIC: The Shape of Economic Recovery

  This article looks at the potential shape of the COVID-19 economic recovery with some historical context and key factors that may affect the direction of the economy.

• The Beige Book: A Timely Economic Read

  The Federal Reserve’s “Beige Book” provides a broad overview of the economy that is often essential for making economic policy decisions.

• Quarterly Taxes: Deadlines Keep Coming for the Self-Employed

  If you are self-employed, do you know how to calculate quarterly estimated tax payments in order to avoid underpayment penalties?

June

• Will vs. Trust: Know the Difference

  Wills and trusts can each help in the distribution of assets at death. This article points out important differences between the two.

• Why You Might Need Disability Income Insurance

  This article explains how an individual disability income insurance policy can help provide income if a disability leaves you unable to work.

• SECURE Act Changes That Matter to Small Employers

  The SECURE Act could make it easier and more affordable for business owners to provide retirement plans and help their employees save for retirement.

May

• Social Security May Offer a Lifetime of Protection

  This article provides an overview of four times other than retirement when Social Security might affect you or your family.

• The Cost of Family Caregiving

  A look at the financial, emotional, and physical costs of family caregiving with some helpful suggestions for caregivers.

• Three Life Insurance Strategies for Small Businesses

  This article explores how life insurance might help small businesses attract and retain talent or fund buy-sell agreements.

• Telemedicine: The Virtual Doctor Will See You Now

  Many large employers offer telemedicine programs in their benefit packages. Do you know the potential advantages of telemedicine?

April

• Early Retirement and Your Tax-Deferred Savings

  Find out how the rules for early-distribution penalty exceptions differ for withdrawals from traditional IRAs and employer-sponsored plans.

March

• Stay-at-Home Spouse? Consider a Spousal IRA

  Stay-at-home spouses can fall behind in saving for retirement. This article explains how a spousal IRA can help keep retirement savings on track.

• Three Lessons from Retirees

  A survey of workers and retirees yielded three key findings that may prove helpful in planning for retirement. Find out more.

• Five Red Flags That Raise the Odds of an Audit

  Ever wonder why the IRS might take a closer look at a taxpayer’s return? This article discusses different types of audits and what might trigger one.

• Classifying Workers: Know the Rules and Risks

  This article explores the complex web of federal and state tax and employment laws that determine how businesses must classify workers.

December

• Online Shopping Tips

  As web-based retail sales continue to grow, these tips may help ensure a safer online shopping experience.

• What’s Required of the Executor of an Estate?

  Being named the executor of an estate can be an honor, but this overview shows why it can also be a difficult and time-consuming job.

• Prices and the Economy

  Low inflation may seem like good news, but it has a darker side. See which factors might be driving down inflation in the United States.

• A New Option for Providing Health Coverage in 2020

  Learn more about Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements and how they may help small businesses offer employee health coverage.