Watching the news unfold in this era of COVID-19, many of us are experiencing varying levels of anxiety and stress – especially if you have family members who are at high risk for complications.

If you’ve ever looked closely at your paycheck (or your self-employment taxes, if you’re self-employed), you’ve probably noticed a portion of your earnings is taken out every month for Social Security. Those contributions are tied to a benefit you could be eligible for someday, one that many Americans take advantage of in retirement. According to the Social Security Administration, 66 million people received monthly Social Security benefits in 2022—and 51 million of those were retirees and their families.  

It's not January 1st, but who says you can't make a resolution at any time of year? Now is a great time to review your saving, investment, insurance, and tax strategies for retirement. Not sure where to start? Use this guide to make sure you don't forget anything!

As you go through life, you’re likely to have many financial goals: saving for retirement, paying for your child’s education or wedding, or having enough for emergencies. And for each of these goals, you probably rely on a specific financial product to help reach it.  

Once the kids move out and the house is paid off, it may seem like you don’t really have a need for life insurance anymore—after all, some of the main things you would want a death benefit for are now behind you (phew!). But as you approach retirement, life insurance—specifically permanent life insurance—can still fulfill many different roles in your financial plan.

A new study from Northwestern Mutual highlights the state of financial planning in America and the role of financial advisors in boosting confidence and trust. According to the data, about two-thirds of Americans believe their financial planning is insufficient, with younger adults showing even higher concern. Economic uncertainty has prompted some people to seek or plan to work with financial advisors.

Flooding is the most frequent and expensive natural disaster in the United States. Yet, flood peril is not typically covered through most homeowners' and renter's insurance policies.

With more than 20 percent of the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) claims coming from outside high-risk flood areas, those who live in areas with low-to-moderate flooding risk should understand their risk and consider flood insurance. The FEMA flood map service allows you to determine your flood risk.

When we fall in love, everything is idealized. We promise to spend our lives together. We make plans for the future. And we often forget to talk about money.

As more couples wait until later into adulthood to get married, it becomes more of a challenge to blend households, says Ted Chapin, Ph.D., President of Chapin & Russell Associates in Peoria, Ill., and a licensed clinical psychologist.

Budgeting seems to come naturally for some people. For others, however, it takes research, discipline, and shrewd analysis. Americans sometimes overspend in unexpected areas; small purchases can add up fast, and some recurring charges are easy to miss. If it seems like you’re spending just as much as you’re taking in, evaluate your spending in these four areas. By making a few small changes (or some big ones), you can improve your spending habits and keep your finances in check.

Before launching your new venture, you’ll need to determine which type of business ownership works best for your situation.