Some hard-working, taxpaying Americans get angry when they hear Social Security called an entitlement program, perhaps because the word “entitlement” has come to have a connotation with welfare programs. The reality is that Social Security is, by definition, an entitlement program, along with Medicare, unemployment insurance and worker’s compensation. These mandatory programs are funded by…

Now that we’re in the fourth quarter, it’s time to think about what you can do to help minimize your liabilities for the 2019 tax season and position finances for next year. The following is a sample of the usual methods. However, if you’d like us to take a more personalized, comprehensive approach, we’d be…

If you are retired or planning to retire soon, you may still have some work to do. For example, it’s smart to have a readily accessible emergency savings fund that can pay for three to six months’ worth of living expenses, if necessary. You should also consider what insurance policies you may need to help…

Americans are so busy that they often have a hard time balancing demands for work and their personal lives. In fact, participants in a recent survey reported having only an average of 26 minutes of free time each week.1 Where does the time go? The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that women have not only…

There’s a growing number of businesses that have kept quiet when it comes to the health care debate. While they may be all about the free market, the reality is that the exponentially rising costs of providing health care to their employees is increasing overhead, reducing profits and making them less competitive with foreign markets.1…

The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania has conducted extensive studies on the effects of immigration on America’s economy. In light of heightened policy debates in the U.S., some of the most critical findings are:1 Increasing the number of legal immigrants with a college degree would have little impact on employment and…

Let’s talk a little about famous last words. On Nov. 8, 2007, then-Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told lawmakers that the U.S. economy did not appear headed for recession. One month later, the Great Recession of the 21st century began.1 So, on Sept. 6 of this year, when Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced that he…

Index mutual funds are investment vehicles comprising stocks from a wide variety of companies and track the performance of a specific index, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Investors are able to spread their assets across many different investments with the convenience of one fund, which can help protect them from market volatility. Index…

One issue sure to ignite the 2020 election year is the future of health care in America. As Congress resumes its session this fall, legislators on both sides of the aisle are anxious to pass health-care-related bills to gain positive campaign traction. Popular proposals include legislation to lower prescription drug prices and ban surprise medical…

The baby boom generation is the demographic engine that has driven U.S. economic growth over the past 50 years. But now, as boomers work less, spend less, retire and draw on retirement funds, that baton is being handed over to Generation X and millennials. The economy is fueled by consumer spending, so the people who…