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The Tax Benefits of a Backdoor Roth IRA for High Earners
A Backdoor Roth IRA is a strategy that allows individuals who earn too much to directly contribute to a Roth IRA to still contribute to one indirectly. The strategy takes advantage of a loophole in the tax code that allows individuals...
Read MoreThe Role of Luck in Retirement Planning: Separating Myths from Realities
What is luck? Most dictionaries define it more or less as something good or bad that happens to you, by chance or otherwise, that you find, or don’t find, desirable. We typically associate luck with happiness, gratitude, and a sense of...
Read MoreThe Great Wealth Transfer and Generation X
A call to action for Generation X to improve their retirement readiness For many members of Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1980, a comfortable retirement may feel like an increasingly distant dream. Despite being in their...
Read MoreRetirement Revolution: 3 Reasons to Rethink Your Retirement Plan
Retirement is a time that many of us look forward to our entire careers. It is the reward for a lifetime of work and the time to indulge in hobbies and enjoy much-needed vacations.
Read MoreHow Emotional and Behavioral Barriers May Impact Your Investing Decisions
Ah, Money. The word leaves you with a positive or a negative feeling when you hear it. The feeling we get from money, and investing, has deep roots inside our emotions, although we may not understand why.
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Gen Xers: “Can I Afford to Retire on My Terms?”
Financial education, planning, lifestyle adjustments and advice are crucial As Generation X, often referred to as the "forgotten generation," inches closer to retirement, a unique set of challenges and concerns emerges. Born between...
Read MoreKey Estate Planning Documents You Need
Benefits of a will: Distributes property according to your wishes Names an executor to settle your estate Names a guardian for minor children There are five estate planning documents you may need, regardless of your age, health, or...
Read MoreA Financial Checklist for Life-Changing Events
When it comes to financial planning, people often think of financial professionals as people who assist with strategies for retirement planning. That is one aspect of their job; however, financial planning and working with a financial...
Read More5 Homeowner Estate Planning Tips to Consider
Estate planning helps disperse your assets according to your wishes. The effort may seem daunting at first, but estate planning does not have to be overly complicated. With the proper planning, you may find yourself resting a little...
Read MoreFinancial Planning at Every Age
In 2013, a Gallup poll found that only about one in every three U.S. households maintained a budget.1 A 2021 survey of 1,000 Americans found that 80% now say they have a budget.2 Americans are budgeting more due to the pandemic....
Read More2024 Outlook
Dear Valued Investor, LPL Research recently unveiled Outlook 2024: A Turning Point, which recaps where markets have been over the last half of 2023 to help position your portfolio through midyear of 2024. It’s with pleasure that...
Read MoreWays to Minimize Tax on an Investment Portfolio
Improving return by minimizing taxes. Although we are all obligated to pay our fair share of taxes, few of us would be pleased to pay taxes unnecessarily. Because taxes lower the actual return on your investments.
Read MoreEnd of Year (EOY) Deadlines Checklist
For many of us, a new year is an opportunity for fresh starts and discovering the best versions of ourselves, but some things—like tax contributions and retirement deadlines—don't change much, if at all.
Read More6 Tips for Reducing Social Security Taxes
Determining how your income impacts Social Security (SS) taxes is important for tax planning. Factors that determine how much pay SS tax you pay, depending on your circumstances.
Read MoreTaxation of Investments
It's nice to own stocks, bonds, and other investments. Nice, that is, until it's time to fill out your federal income tax return. At that point, you may be left scratching your head.
Read MoreOwnership of Life Insurance: Estate Planning
What are the ownership issues of life insurance? In estate planning, life insurance is purchased for several reasons.
Read MoreSenior Cyber Safety – How to Avoid a Cyber Identity Crisis
You may have thought your digital identity was safe and not a likely target of a cybercriminal until one day, the bank calls wondering if purchases made at a store that you have never been to, 2,000 miles away, were made by you.
Read MoreHave You Checked Your Retirement Plan Lately
It's generally a good idea to review your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan at least once each year and when major life changes occur.
Read MoreTips to Avoid Common Estate Planning Mistakes
With a few simple actions, you can ensure your estate planning is effective. Whether your estate plan is simple or complex, there are many details, which are often overlooked, that can undermine your plan’s effectiveness.
Read MoreStocks and Bonds Before and After Taxes
Managing Investment Returns with Tax-Efficient Strategies. Investing in U.S. stocks and bonds is a popular way for individuals and institutions to grow their wealth and generate income.
Read MoreWhat Are Stock Buybacks?
A finance professor explains why President Biden wants to raise the tax on this controversial use of corporate capital. Companies have been buying back their own stock at record levels – something President Joe Biden doesn’t care for.
Read MoreA Mid-Year Financial Plan Review Makes Sense
“Old-fashioned” practices, such as periodic financial reviews, can lead to greater confidence in the long run. As the year passes its midpoint, why not spend a few hours reviewing your finances?
Read MoreLump-Sum Investing vs. Periodic Investing
Whether to invest a large amount all at once or over a short period of time, or to invest gradually over a longer period of time is a strategy you may want to speak to a financial advisor about. Learn more.
Read MoreHigh Net-Worth Individuals: Are You Missing Opportunities in Your Financial Planning?
High Net-Worth executives and those that have been self-employed, can experience common problems in their financial planning journey. Here are a few tips for preparing for retirement after earning a high income.
Read MoreFinding Focus with Financial Planning: A Step-By-Step Guide
A financial plan is a collection of steps that help you to evaluate your financial condition and determine how to prepare for your financial future. Here are some steps to help you get a foothold to begin that climb toward possible financi
Read MoreWhy 401(k)s Often Fare Better than IRAs
Despite the challenging market conditions, 401(k) balances often fare better than IRAs, providing a little more hope for retirement investors. Here are five reasons why.
Read More5 Last Minute Considerations Before Tax Day
With April’s federal tax filing and payment deadline on the horizon, are you confident you have everything in order to make your tax filing go as smoothly as possible? Here are five last-minute details to double-check before Tax Day.
Read More8 Things Financial Planning Can Help You Address
Financial planning is unique for each person; no two plans look the same because everyone's life and goals are different. Regardless of your goals, financial planning can help you work towards achieving them.
Read MoreSocial Security Retirement Income- A Primer
As you near retirement, it's likely you'll have many questions about Social Security. Be aware of these three advantages that Social Security offers.
Read MoreMarket Volatility and the Importance of Staying the Course at Different Ages
To safeguard your potential for long-term growth, you need to understand the importance of staying the course through market volatility. Check out these tips.
Read MoreFive Helpful Tools for Tax Prep
Which tax prep tools are worth the hype, and which may be passed over? We discuss five high-tech tools to help make tax time as simple and streamlined as possible.
Read MoreGrowth vs. Value - What's the Difference?
There are generally two schools of thought about how to choose stocks to invest in. Here's some information on growth vs. value investing.
Read MoreHow to Prepare for Retirement
Whether you’re just starting your career or are planning to retire this year, it’s never too soon or too late to start preparing. Here are a few essential tips everyone should keep in mind when saving up for their eventual retirement.
Read MoreHow Behavioral Economics Can Help You Keep New Year's Financial Resolutions
If you make New Year's resolutions and don't keep them, behavioral economics can help. It's the study of psychology as it relates to economic decision-making. Read on for more insight.
Read MoreLPL Financial Research Outlook 2023: Finding Balance
In 2023, we look to equity markets to find balance between key macroeconomic factors—inflation, interest rates, and Fed policy—and business fundamentals. Our economic and market forecasts for 2023 can help us navigate the year ahead.
Read MorePersonal Deduction Planning
Taxes are inevitable. The trick to minimizing your federal income tax liability is to understand the rules and make the most of your tax planning opportunities. Here are some personal deduction tips to follow.
Read MoreInvest In These 4 Common Sense Investing Rules
From fluctuating gas prices to market volatility to inflation fears, it may be tough to tune out the noise when trying to gauge how your investments perform. And if you are like most investors, you try to resist the...
Read MoreA Year-End Wealth Planning Guide
As we approach the end of the year, you may want to review areas that may impact your wealth and estate planning next year. In this year-end planning guide, we examine four critical areas to consider that may affect your finances:...
Read MoreFinancial Planning - Helping You See the Big Picture
Do you picture yourself owning a new home, starting a business, or retiring comfortably? These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each comes with a price tag attached.That's where financial planning...
Read MoreFive Questions about Long-Term Care
1. What is long-term care?Long-term care refers to the ongoing services and support needed by people who have chronic health conditions or disabilities. There are three levels of long-term care:Skilled care: Generally...
Read MoreThe Differences Between Growth, Core & Value
Understanding your style of investing is an important step – especially today. Are you a Growth investor or a Value investor? Or do you prefer a mix of the two?Understanding your style of investing is an important step in deciding...
Read MoreFiguring Out a 401(k) Strategy That Works for You
Everyone wants a comfortable retirement, but the road you take there will depend on your specific situation. When you invest, you assume a certain level of risk (but like everyone you’re hoping that your holdings will increase in value).
Read MoreSetting and Targeting Investment Goals
Go out into your yard and dig a big hole. Every month, throw $50 into it, but don't take any money out until you're ready to buy a house, send your child to college, or retire. It sounds a little crazy, doesn't it? But that's what...
Read MoreTop 5 Things Millennials Should Consider When Retirement Planning
Planning for retirement can seem premature when you have only been in the workforce for a decade or so. But as the oldest Millennials begin to hit middle age, retirement suddenly does not seem so far away. From record-busting market...
Read MoreTips for Women to Help Build Financial Independence
Every woman needs to balance her financial past with her financial futureTraditionally, women have been the caretakers of both the older and younger generations of their families. But providing care for family members is becoming...
Read MoreLPL Financial Research Midyear Outlook 2022: Navigating Turbulence
Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that may lie ahead. So far, this year hasn’t seen a...
Read More5 Financial Facts About the Sandwich Generation
The "sandwich generation" is the descriptive term for adults generally between the ages of 40 and 59 who are raising a minor child (or supporting a grown child) while also caring for a retirement-age or older parent. With financial...
Read MoreESG Investing: The New Frontier for Environmentally Conscious Investors
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing is on the rise throughout the world. A 2018 study from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government found that ESG investing now accounts for nearly $30 trillion, which...
Read MoreIs an Annuity Appropriate for You?
When it comes to your retirement, there are three factors that you may want to take into account when planning for your retirement income needs. First, the deductibility of Individual Retirement Account (IRA) contributions is...
Read MoreQuestions to Ask A Prospective Financial Professional
What to Look For and What’s Not ImportantIf you are shopping for a financial professional, you need a good checklist of questions to ask. What you are looking for is someone who handles clients like you – and who is...
Read More7 Retirement Considerations: Thoughts from a Financial Professional
When helping people get ready for retirement, financial professionals find the same issues come up over and over. Thinking ahead can spell the difference between a retirement with enough money and a stressful one with difficult...
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