Correlation and Portfolio Performance
August 31, 2015  | By Kevin Smith

Different types of investments are subject to different types of risk. On days when you notice that stock prices have fallen, for example, it would not be unusual to see a rally in the bond market. Asset allocation refers to…Read More

Five Ways to Manage Risk in Your Retirement Savings Plan
August 13, 2015  | By Kevin Smith

Your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan is a convenient way to help you accumulate money for retirement. Using payroll deductions, you invest for the future automatically, following that oft-noted advice to “pay yourself first.” But choosing to participate is just one…Read More

Financial Mistakes People Make at Different Ages
August 13, 2015  | By Kevin Smith

There’s a saying that with age comes wisdom, but this may not always be true in the financial world. As people move through different life stages, there are new opportunities–and potential pitfalls–around every corner. In your 20’s Living beyond your…Read More

10 Financial Terms Everyone Should Know
February 11, 2015  | By Kevin Smith

Understanding financial matters can be difficult if you don’t understand the jargon. Becoming familiar with these 10 financial terms may help make things clearer. 1. Time value of money The time value of money is the concept that money on…Read More

Key Numbers for 2015
February 11, 2015  | By Kevin Smith

Every year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announces cost-of-living adjustments that affect contribution limits for retirement plans, thresholds for deductions and credits, and standard deduction and personal exemption amounts. Here are a few of the key adjustments for 2015. Retirement…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

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

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