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Welcome to our research center! We've put together a library of information on important financial topics that we believe you'll find helpful.

Simply click on one of the general financial topics below and you'll find a selection of easy-to-understand information sheets about related financial concepts and strategies. This information is updated regularly to reflect the latest facts, figures, legislation, and economic trends.

Client Connections

Quarterly Recap

Market Commentary

Retirement

  • What Is a SEP IRA?

    A SEP IRA is a type of plan under which the employer contributes (up to a certain limit) to an employee’s IRA.

  • What Is a SIMPLE?

    The SIMPLE plan may appeal to small business owners as it is easy to set up, administer, and allows for a tax deduction.

  • What Is an IRA Rollover?

    If you leave a job or retire, you should consider your options regarding your employer retirement plan assets.

  • What Is a Roth 401(k)?

    A Roth 401(k) is funded with after-tax money, and allows for tax- and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings if requirements are met.

  • What Is a Profit-Sharing Plan?

    Profit-sharing plans give employees a share in the profits of a company and can help to fund their retirements.

  • What Is a Money Purchase Pension Plan?

    A money purchase plan is a retirement plan where employer contributions are based on a fixed percentage of compensation.

  • What Is a 403(b) Plan?

    A 403(b) plan is a tax-deferred retirement savings plan that can only be offered by a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity.

  • Why Do People Buy Annuities?

    Annuities, an insurance-based financial vehicle, can provide many benefits that retirement investors might want.

  • What Is a Split-Annuity Strategy?

    A split-annuity strategy can generate immediate income while potentially stretching some retirement savings.

  • What Are Annuity Living Benefits?

    Living benefits can help protect variable annuity owners from running out of money in retirement.

  • How Much Do I Need to Save?

    Many realize it’s important to save for retirement, but knowing exactly how much to save is another issue altogether.

  • A New Chapter for Retirement

    With the changing pension landscape, it is important to take charge of your own retirement security.

  • What Is a 1035 Exchange?

    A Section 1035 exchange is a tax-free exchange of an existing annuity contract or life insurance policy for a new one.

  • Unforgettable Birthdays

    There are key dates after you turn 59½ that can impact your taxes, Medicare eligibility, and retirement benefits.

  • Should You Bank Your Retirement on Your Business?

    Allocating too much of your retirement investments to one company, even your own, can be a risky proposition.

Tax Planning

Investing

  • What Are Dividends?

    It is important to understand how dividends (taxable payments to shareholders) fit with your long-term goals.

  • What Is an Exchange-Traded Fund?

    ETFs have unique attributes and attempt to track all types of indexes, industries, or commodities.

  • How Are Growth and Value Stocks Different?

    The labels growth and value reflect different approaches that can be used when making investment decisions.

  • How Are Mutual Funds Taxed?

    Mutual fund taxes can be cumbersome, but there are ways to help mitigate the amount of taxes you may owe.

  • What Is Stock?

    Before investing in stocks, it is important to understand some of the basics and the risks involved in owning stocks.

  • What Are Zero-Coupon Bonds?

    Zero-coupon bonds represent a type of bond that does not pay interest during the life of the bond.

Risk Management