Oil prices have increased more than 30% since late June, driving up transportation costs for consumers and businesses and putting financial markets on edge. On September 27, West Texas Intermediate crude — the U.S. benchmark for oil prices— topped $93... Read more
A financial crisis — such as a job loss or medical emergency — can strike when you least expect it. It is important to be prepared by having a financial safety net in place — not having one could prove... Read more
A sound retirement plan should be based on your particular circumstances. No one strategy is suitable for everyone. Once you’re retired, your income plan should strive to address four basic objectives: earn a reasonable rate of return, manage the risk... Read more
Medicare covers only 60% of total health-care costs for Americans age 65 and older.1 Deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and payments for services not covered by Medicare can result in substantial out-of-pocket expenses. And there is no annual or lifetime out-of-pocket limit.... Read more
Helping a grandchild obtain a college degree could be a lifelong gift, but grandparent giving has often required fiscal gymnastics to avoid reducing a student’s financial aid eligibility. That is changing with the 2024–2025 Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA),... Read more
Teenagers with part-time or seasonal jobs earn some spending money while gaining valuable work experience. They also have the chance to contribute to a Roth IRA — a tax-advantaged account that can be used to save for retirement or other... Read more
Publicly traded companies are required to disclose their financial performance to regulators and shareholders on a quarterly basis. News organizations and investors pay close attention to these reports because they tend to impact stock prices, with strong earnings driving share... Read more
Social Security is complicated, and the details are often misunderstood even by those who are already receiving benefits. If you’re looking forward to receiving your Social Security benefits, whether in one year or 30 years, you may be curious about... Read more
The SECURE 2.0 Act, included in the federal spending bill passed in late 2022, dramatically changed the landscape for required minimum distributions (RMDs) from tax-deferred retirement accounts. As part of the effort to strengthen the nation’s retirement system, the Act... Read more
A legal will describes how you want your material assets to be distributed, but how do you leave behind your values? Using an ethical will, also called a legacy letter, you can tell your personal story and communicate your beliefs... Read more
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