Monthly Economic Update September, 2021

Monthly Economic Update September, 2021

U.S. Markets Signs of an improving labor market, strong corporate earnings, and more clarity from the Fed on its tapering plans propelled stocks to multiple record highs during August. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.22 percent while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.90 percent. The Nasdaq Composite led, picking up 4.00 percent.1  … Read more

Monthly Economic Update August, 2021

Monthly Economic Update August, 2021

U.S. Markets Last month, the stock market posted a solid gain, overcoming investors’ fears of higher inflation and an increase in COVID-19 cases. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 1.25 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 2.27 percent. The Nasdaq lagged, climbing 1.16 percent.1 A Wall of Worry Climbing a wall  … Read more

Retirement in Sight August, 2021

Retirement in Sight August, 2021

CAN HAVING THREE GOOD FRIENDS PROMOTE A HAPPY RETIREMENT?   We can reasonably say that the more money you retire with, the more potential you have to enjoy retirement. Now, what about friendship? If you maintain some strong friendships and an active social circle after age 60, can that make a big difference in the  … Read more

Retirement in Sight July, 2021

Retirement in Sight July, 2021

Is Financial Health A Factor In Your Overall Health?   Data from a newly released Harris Poll of more than 1,000 U.S. workers suggests that a majority of pre-retirees might answer “yes” to that question. Sixty-six percent of respondents to the poll identified their financial health as a component of their overall well-being. In fact,  … Read more

Monthly Economic Update July, 2021

Monthly Economic Update July, 2021

U.S. Markets Stocks moved higher last month as investors looked past accelerating inflation and the Fed’s pivot on monetary policy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.07 percent, but the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.22 percent. The Nasdaq Composite led, gaining 5.49 percent.1 Solid Earnings Stock prices moved erratically throughout May as investors  … Read more

Retirement in Sight June, 2021

Retirement in Sight June, 2021

Could A Second Secure Act Tweak Retirement Rules? When the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act became law in 2019, it altered retirement plan contribution and distribution rules. There may be an encore. The Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2021, nicknamed SECURE Act 2.0, has bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, and  … Read more

Monthly Economic Update June, 2021

Monthly Economic Update June, 2021

U.S. Markets Stocks traded in a narrow range in May, with technology and other high-valuation companies under selling pressure. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.93 percent while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.55% percent. The Nasdaq Composite, home for many technology and high-growth companies, dropped 1.53 percent.1 Solid Earnings Stock prices moved  … Read more

Retirement in Sight May, 2021

Retirement in Sight May, 2021

Pandemic Economy or Not, Some are Aspiring to Retire Early A new study from Hearts and Wallets, a research firm founded in 2010 to study American retirement saving and investing trends, hints that the dream of retiring in late middle age is alive and well, although perhaps in need of a reality check. The survey  … Read more

Key Ways to Maximize Social Security Benefits

Key Ways to Maximize Social Security Benefits

  Social Security planning is a critical step in the financial planning process. While it provides a steady stream of income for most retirees, it can be a taxable benefit for many others, including disabled workers and their families and, in some cases, a surviving spouse and children. Social Security is the only retirement income  … Read more

Monthly Economic Update May, 2021

Monthly Economic Update May, 2021

U.S. Markets A succession of robust economic reports and a healthy start to the corporate earnings season helped spark an April rally on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.71 percent while the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index picked up 5.24 percent. The Nasdaq Composite led, climbing 5.40 percent.1 Signs of Recovery  … Read more