Recent research from Northwestern Mutual in its 2021 Planning and Progress Study found that just 38% of survey respondents were working with a financial advisor, though up from 29% pre-pandemic. With the emergence—and prevalence—of robo-advisors, where investing can be done with the click of a button on an app, the common question is, are financial/investment…

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Let’s start with what a 401(k) rollover is. When you transfer a balance from a previous existing 401(k), likely from a company you’re no longer employed by or in the process of leaving, to a new or existing 401(k) with your current (new) employer or into an IRA, this is considered a 401(k) rollover. You…

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Titles do matter—and in the financial services world, so many titles exist that can and do mean very different things for you, the consumer. The terms financial advisor and investment advisor are often used interchangeably, but there are crucial differences between the two. Throw in financial planner, and it can get a whole lot more…

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In 2021, the U.S. stock market experienced record years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic persisting. The S&P 500 had more than 70 all-time highs—second only to its performance in 1995—and gained 26.9% by years’ end. Similarly, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq had a great year, gaining 18.7% and 21.4%, respectively. Most economists agree that…

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So, you’ve left your job…now what? A white paper from Capitalize, a 401(k) rollover fintech company, found that American employees have “forgotten” about or left behind an estimated 24.3 million 401(k) accounts and $1.35 trillion in assets at old jobs. It’s important to decide what to do with your 401(k) when you leave any job.…

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The common question—and debate—among stock market investors: Is growth investing or value investing better for your portfolio? Whether growth or value outperforms depends solely on the time period evaluated—historically, shorter time periods tend to favor growth in recent years while longer time periods tend to favor value stocks. According to Forbes, value investing has returned…

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There is one key factor to consider when deciding which type of 401(k) to contribute to: tax implications—both now and later. Retirement planning involves balancing saving now with tax implications in the future. While you may only have one type of 401(k) available via your employer, if you do have a traditional and Roth 401(k)…

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Money can be a taboo topic in some families, especially when it comes to talking to your parents about their finances. But understanding your parents’ financial situation, including long-term care, estate planning, and retirement prep, is important as they age. You want your parents to be able to live their dream retirement comfortably and have…

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Before starting a new job, one of the key questions you’ve likely inquired about is your company’s 401(k) benefits. When you start the job, you’ll probably be handed a packet with the benefits information—and that’s it. You’re often left to your own devices to figure out the ins and outs of the plans available to…

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Retirement is one of the biggest expenses you’ll have in your life, with one of the longest savings periods of your lifetime, too. Although there are various retirement savings plans available to you, planning for retirement doesn’t have to be overwhelming. U.S. retirement statistics can be a bit depressing; the most recent Survey of Consumer…

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