A will is an essential legal document that describes how your estate should be distributed upon your death. It is the basis for the probate process and can serve as a guide for your heirs. A letter of instruction has no formal legal status, but it could be just as...
Every year, the Internal Revenue Service announces cost-of-living adjustments that affect contribution limits for retirement plans and various tax deduction, exclusion, exemption, and threshold amounts. Here are some of the key adjustments for 2026. Estate, gift, and...
Sources: The Wall Street Journal, May 22, 2025, and November 12, 2025; U.S. Mint, 2024 (Cost amounts rounded to the nearest tenth.) After more than 200 years, the U.S. government is discontinuing one-cent pennies, primarily because it costs much more to mint them than...
As tax filing season approaches, the IRS warns taxpayers to watch for scams that can cause identity theft, financial loss, or criminal penalties. The agency’s "Dirty Dozen" list, published annually since 2002, highlights 12 common tax schemes. Phishing and smishing:...
Tax-deferred retirement savings accounts, including IRAs and employer-based plans, are an appropriate way to build assets. Your accounts can potentially grow without losing ground to income taxes each year, and depending on the account type and your income level, you...
On April 2, 2025, President Trump announced sweeping tariffs that were larger and different in structure than expected. Over the next two days, the S&P 500 Index plunged by 10.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 9.3%, and the tech-heavy NASDAQ Index dropped...
Source: World Economic Forum, 2025 Rapid developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have left workers wondering when their jobs might be significantly affected or even eliminated. One international survey found that it won't be long — 86% of employers across the...
The ever-growing threat of sophisticated phishing attacks and massive data breaches linked to password security has put more focus on the need for new authentication solutions. Enter passkeys, considered a more secure and easier-to-use option that eliminates the need...
kAre you a middle-aged adult juggling raising children and providing care for an aging parent? If so, you’re not alone. Welcome to the "sandwich generation," a growing group of people supporting both their children and elderly parents at the same time.While caring for...
As 2025 comes to a close, now may be the ideal time to review your tax strategy and find potential opportunities. The steps you take before the end of the year might help you reduce your tax bill. Here are some ideas to consider. Save now, have more later: If you're...
