skip navigation

40% of U.S. workers have saved
less than $25,000 for retirement.*

*2019 Retirement
Confidence Survey, EBRI

Only 42% of Americans know how
much money to save for retirement.*

*2019 Retirement Confidence Survey, EBRI

43% of retirees left
the workforce earlier
than planned.*

*2019 Retirement
Confidence Survey, EBRI

Articles

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.

Estates & Trusts

Retirement

  • 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 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 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.

  • 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.

  • Will Social Security Retire Before You Do?

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

  • What Is an Indexed Annuity?

    An indexed annuity may provide some upside potential and downside protection.

  • What Is a Traditional IRA?

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

  • What Is a 401(k) Plan?

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

  • What Is a Roth IRA?

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

Tax Planning

Investing

  • What Are Dividends?

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

  • How Are Growth and Value Stocks Different?

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

  • What Is Diversification?

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

  • What Is a Bond?

    A bond is simply evidence of a debt from a government entity or a corporation and represents a long-term IOU.

  • What Is a Stock Index?

    Stock market indexes can be useful benchmarks for gauging the performance of an investment portfolio over time.

  • How Do Mutual Funds and Stocks Differ?

    The difference between purchasing an individual stock versus shares in a mutual fund to potentially earn dividends.

  • What Is a Mutual Fund?

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

  • What Is an Annuity?

    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.

  • What Is Asset Allocation?

    Asset allocation is a method used to help manage investment risk; it does not guarantee a profit or protect against investment loss.

  • How Can I Save for My Child’s College Education?

    There are several funding methods for a child's college education including mutual funds and Section 529 plans.

  • What Is Dollar-Cost Averaging?

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

  • 529 Lesson Plan: High Scores for 529 Plans

    529 plans are tax-advantaged savings plans that generally allow people of any income level to contribute.

Cash Management

Risk Management

Check the background of this financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck
Check the background of this financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck