Be Prepared.

Financial advisors recommend various strategies for investors to follow as they plot their way toward retirement. If you are worried that your retirement investment plan is adrift, these 10 strategies could help you steer in the right direction.

We’re equally dedicated to the financial well-being of both you and your business. We offer access to quality investment and insurance strategies customized to address the individual needs of businesses of every size and in all stages of development.

A 529 plan is an investment program that provides families with an easy and effective means to save for future college costs as well as tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary public, private or religious school. 529 plans can also be used for apprenticeship programs as well as qualified education loan repayments.3 But 529 plans also have tax, retirement and estate planning implications that extend far beyond this basic purpose

When a loved one dies, the details that need to be taken care of by survivors may be particularly overwhelming because it is such an emotional time. This checklist is intended to be a reminder of some of the details that may need to be attended to, both immediately and afterward.

Facing a layoff is a nerve-wracking event that leaves many reeling. How long will I be out of work? Do I have a savings cushion that can last until I find a new job? Will I be able to make the payments on my house? Working with your financial advisor, you can begin to take stock of your situation, methodically address your priorities and try to weather this setback without radically restructuring your finances.

Statistics tell us that the leading cause of household stress is money. Yet many people do not have a system for knowing where their money goes once it comes in the door.

Estate planning is not just about tax planning. It comprises a variety of sensitive issues that need to be considered and included in a plan that tells your survivors what steps to take when you are incapacitated or no longer here. This planning sheet will give you an overview of information and actions you need to consider when working with your advisors to put your goals and action plans into writing.

At some time in our lives, most of us find that aging relatives begin to need much more of our attention. Taking the right steps, as early as possible, to secure their financial situation and find necessary health and household services can allow them to remain at home and receive appropriate care.

Despite the many national and international crises throughout the past 30 years, investing in stocks has kept investors on track in pursuing their long-term goals.

Choosing a nursing home for a family member can be one of the most difficult decisions you make. Once you have created a list of homes to consider, you may want to make several copies of the checklist on the right and fill in one for each nursing home you visit.

Ending a marriage comes with a lot of emotions, but also a lot of financial considerations. That’s why you need to understand how divorce could impact your finances. Here are some financial matters to consider and information on how to navigate them during this tough time.

Many people struggle every time they open their mail or email. They ask themselves, “Is this important? Do I need this? Should I keep it? Should I throw it away?”

The pace and complexity of managing modern finances may leave some people unprepared to achieve a successful financial future. If you’re feeling less than confident about your future, having a well-prepared financial plan will help put you in control.

Developing a plan for the disposition of assets throughout your lifetime and after death is a key tenet of estate planning. Thoughtful estate planning may minimize your estate, inheritance and generation-skipping transfer taxes.

When you reach age 70½, you must begin to draw funds from your traditional individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and qualified plans such as 401(k)s.

Is a person close to you suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, or are you concerned that he or she may be? Alzheimer’s is an increasingly common disorder. Learn about its symptoms, what to do if someone you love may have Alzheimer’s and what to expect as the disease progresses through its natural phases.

Everyone wants to be in the best-performing asset class every year. The thing is, few people are savvy enough to consistently choose the best. That’s why diversification is key. This chart shows annual returns for eight broad-based asset classes, cash and a diversified portfolio ranked from best to worst. Notice how the “leadership” changes from year to year, and how competitively the diversified portfolio performed over 20 years (see the “annualized return” column).