Last week saw another period of volatility in the stock market, largely driven by U.S.-China trade tensions, the ongoing government shutdown, and concerns over the health of the banking sector. Despite market swings throughout the week, stocks ultimately pushed higher by week’s end, with each of the benchmark indexes listed here posting gains. The financial […]
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Key Estate Planning Documents You Need
There are five estate planning documents you may need, regardless of your age, health, or wealth: The last document, a living trust, isn’t always necessary, but it’s included here because it’s a vital component of many estate plans. Durable power of attorney A durable power of attorney (DPOA) can help protect your property in the […]
Read MoreThe Markets (as of market close October 10, 2025)
Wall Street was marked by volatility throughout last week. Major indexes, particularly the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ, reached new record highs earlier in the week, driven by an advance in AI stocks and favorable corporate earnings reports. However, the market endured a significant selloff last Friday, reversing much of the week’s earlier gains. Investor […]
Read MoreMandatory Roth Catch-Up Contributions Begin in 2026
For nearly a quarter century, employers have been able to offer their retirement savings plan participants age 50 and older a valuable opportunity — the chance to make additional catch-up contributions to their plan.1 Thanks to the SECURE 2.0 Act passed in 2022, that opportunity became even more valuable: Employers may now allow plan participants age […]
Read MoreThe Markets (as of market close October 3, 2025)
Investor optimism over AI companies and expectations of interest rate cuts helped propel stocks last week. The S&P 500, the Dow, and the NASDAQ reached record highs despite the government shutdown, which caused delays in the release of key economic data (see below). In addition to surging AI stocks, major tech and chip stocks also […]
Read MoreThe Sandwich Generation: Juggling Family Responsibilities
At a time when your career is reaching a peak and you are looking ahead to your own retirement, you may find yourself in the position of having to help your children with college expenses while at the same time looking after the needs of your aging parents. Squeezed in the middle, you’ve joined the […]
Read MoreThe Markets (as of market close September 26, 2025)
Despite a rebound on Friday, stocks closed last week mostly lower. Each of the major market indexes, the S&P 500, the Dow, and the NASDAQ, declined in value following a record-setting rally that lasted several weeks. Investors pondered the impact of new tariffs on certain imports announced by President Trump as well as mixed signals […]
Read MoreAlternative Investments May Be Coming to 401(k) Plans
On August 7, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Labor (DOL) to investigate how alternative investments, including private assets and cryptocurrency, might become more easily accessible to investors in work-based retirement plans. Celebrated by some and criticized by others, the order paves the way for retirement savers — and at […]
Read MoreThe Markets (as of market close September 19, 2025)
The stock market continued its record-setting run last week with the Dow, the S&P 500, and the NASDAQ each reaching new record highs. The small caps of the Russell 2000 also hit a new high for the first time in four years, which signaled a broadening of the rally beyond tech stocks. The major impetus […]
Read MoreIncome Tax Key Numbers
Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) 2024 2025 Maximum AMT exemption amount $133,300 (MFJ), $85,700 (Single/HOH), $66,650 (MFS) $137,000 (MFJ), $88,100 (Single/HOH), $68,500 (MFS) Exemption phaseout threshold $1,218,700 (MFJ), $609,350 (Single/HOH/MFS) $1,252,700 (MFJ), $626,350 (Single/HOH/MFS) 26% rate applies to AMT income (AMTI) at or below this amount (28% rate applies to AMTI above this amount) $232,600 (MFJ/Single/HOH), […]
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