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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.

Cash Management

Historically, one of the best ways to fight the effects of inflation has been to utilize growth-oriented investments.

Investing

An annuity is a flexible financial vehicle that can help protect against the risk of living a long time because it provides an option for a lifetime income.

Investing

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

Investing

Understanding different types of investment risk can help investors manage their money more effectively.

Investing

Both fixed and variable annuities could be appropriate options for an individual interested in purchasing an annuity.

Investing

An important element to successful investing is to manage investment risk while maintaining the potential for growth.

Investing

Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a set amount of money on a regular basis, regardless of market conditions.

Investing

A mutual fund is a collection of stocks, bonds, and other securities with certain benefits and risks.

Investing

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

Investing

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

Retirement

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

Retirement

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

Retirement

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

Retirement

If you do not participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you might consider a traditional IRA.

Retirement

When receiving money accumulated in your employer-sponsored retirement plan, you have two options: lump sum or annuity.

Retirement

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

Retirement

401(k) employer-sponsored retirement plans have many benefits, including that the funds accumulate tax-deferred.

Retirement

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

Retirement

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

Retirement

Tax-deferred retirement plans for self-employed individuals have higher contribution limits than IRAs.

Retirement

Qualified Roth IRA distributions in retirement are free of federal income tax and aren’t included in gross income.

Retirement

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

Retirement

Greater demand is being placed on the Social Security system as the baby boom generation has begun to retire.

Risk Management

Company-owned life insurance is one way to help protect a business from financial problems caused by the death of a key employee.

Risk Management

Some of the pros and cons of whole life insurance.

Risk Management

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for those persons age 65 and over. But what does it cover?

Risk Management

Term life insurance differs from permanent forms of life insurance in that it offers temporary protection.

Risk Management

There are three basic types of medical insurance plans: fee-for-service, managed care, and high-deductible health plan.

Risk Management

Consider a universal life insurance policy if you want the flexibility to change your premium or death benefit.

Risk Management

Variable life insurance gives you the control to allocate your account value among a variety of investment options.

Risk Management

The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin.

Risk Management

A business owner policy is an insurance package that assembles the basic coverages required by a business owner in one bundle.

Risk Management

An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company to pay you future income in exchange for premiums you pay.

Risk Management

Knowing the basics of a disability income insurance policy is a good first step toward protecting your family.

Risk Management

If you have a family who relies on your income, it is important to have life insurance protection.

Tax Planning

While stable, CDs can create an income tax bill. Fixed annuities and municipal bonds can offer tax advantages.

Tax Planning

Want to keep more of your mutual fund profits? You may be interested in strategies to help lower your tax liability.

Tax Planning

IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government.

Tax Planning

Consider a trustee-to-trustee transfer to an IRA versus a lump-sum distribution from a workplace retirement plan.

Tax Planning

With traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans, taxes are not payable until funds are withdrawn.

Tax Planning

Many traditional tax-advantaged investment strategies have gone away, but there are still some alternatives.

Tax Planning

Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account.

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