The reason withdrawals from a Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) prior to age 59½ are generally subject to a 10% tax penalty is that policymakers wanted to create a disincentive to use these savings for […] Read More

Despite not being as well known as some other retirement tools, annuities account for 6.5% of all assets earmarked for retirement. With about $2.2 trillion in assets, annuities hold more funds than Roth IRAs.1 An […] Read More

You may have heard of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, if you or someone you know has plans to attend a college, career school, or university. Last year, nearly 50% of […] Read More

“If the current annual inflation rate is 3%, why do my bills seem like they’re 10% higher than last year?”1 Many of us ask ourselves that question, and it illustrates the importance of understanding how […] Read More

The financial loss that comes with flooding can be devastating. The average flood claim payout from the National Flood Insurance Program is over $66,000. Yet, many Americans are not protected against flood damages, primarily because […] Read More

Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too […] Read More

When the market drops, some investors lose the perspective that downtrends and uptrends are part of the investing cycle. When stock prices break lower, it’s a good time to review common terms that are used […] Read More

One study found that military personnel have more credit problems and are more likely to make late house payments than their civilian counterparts.¹ While the financial situation of military personnel and their families mirrors the […] Read More

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 […] Read More