When do I need to submit college financial aid forms?
January 13, 2015  | By Kevin Smith

It depends on the form you’re filling out and whether your child is a new college student or a returning student. College deadlines for the federal government’s financial aid form, the FAFSA, might be anywhere from February 1 to April…Read More

No Matter What Your Age, Your Social Security Statement Matters
January 13, 2015  | By Kevin Smith

Fifteen years ago, the Social Security Administration (SSA) launched the Social Security Statement, a tool to help Americans understand the features and benefits that Social Security offers. Since then, millions of Americans have reviewed their personalized statements to see a…Read More

All About IPOs
January 13, 2015  | By Kevin Smith

Maybe you’ve heard someone talking about investing in “a hot new IPO” and wondered what all the fuss was about. Or maybe you’ve heard about a company “going public” and thought about whether you should invest in it. If you’re…Read More

How can college students save and spend money wisely?
December 12, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

College is a pivotal time in a young adult’s life. Students gain a sense of independence that is accompanied by responsibility–especially when it comes to finances. If you’re a new college student, it can be overwhelming to figure out how…Read More

Helping Your Parents Manage Their Finances
December 12, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

As the U.S. population gets older, more people, particularly baby boomers, are confronting a dilemma. As parents age, their ability to manage their own finances may decline. That can make it more likely that they may neglect the life savings…Read More

Importance of Timing a Roth IRA Conversion
December 12, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

Conventional wisdom holds that if you convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, you should never pay the conversion taxes from IRA assets. The reason is that you’ll be depleting IRA assets that might otherwise be available to grow…Read More

Year-End Charitable Giving
December 10, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

With the holiday season upon us, and the end of one year and the start of another approaching, we pause to give thanks for our blessings and the people in our lives. It is also a time when charitable giving…Read More

Prepare Now for a Year-End Investment Review
October 9, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

Getting organized for your year-end investment review with your financial professional may help make the review process more efficient. Here are some suggestions for making your meeting as productive as possible. Decide what you want to know One of the…Read More

Leaving Assets to Your Heirs: Income Tax Considerations
October 9, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

An inheritance is generally worth only what your heirs get to keep after taxes are paid. So when it comes to leaving a legacy, not all property is created equal–at least as far as federal income tax is concerned. When…Read More

Retiring and Relocating? Don’t Neglect State Taxes!
October 9, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

If you’re retired, or about to retire, you may be thinking about relocating to a state that has low tax rates or provides special tax benefits to retirees. Here’s a survey that may jump-start your search for a tax-friendly state…Read More