Stocks Turn Lower on Iran Worries: Stock Market Today
U.S. equity markets opened higher Tuesday but closed lower as geopolitical tension over Iran’s cease‑fire and mixed earnings weighed on sentiment. UnitedHealth Group posted a beat‑and‑raise quarter, lifting its full‑year EPS outlook to $18.25, while Apple fell 2.5% after announcing Tim Cook’s transition to executive chair. HSBC upgraded Intel, setting a $95 price target that suggests a 43% upside, and oil prices surged nearly 3% on the Iran flare‑up. Meanwhile, Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh’s confirmation hearing stalled amid a Senate blockade tied to the Powell investigation.
13 States With No Retirement Tax Ranked by How Much You Need to 'Retire Comfortably'
According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2026 study, Americans now think they need $1.46 million to retire comfortably, a 15 % rise from last year. Kiplinger analyzed 13 states that do not tax retirement income and estimated the savings required in each, factoring in...
From 'Maximizers' To 'The Last Check Should Bounce' Club: Why Finding Your Legacy Tribe Will Help You Map Out Your...
The article highlights the looming Great Wealth Transfer—$124 trillion expected to shift hands through 2048—and urges Baby Boomers and Gen X to define their legacy philosophy before drafting estate plans. It presents a four‑question framework (safety net, threshold, impact, efficiency) and tools...
We've Survived Bladder Cancer, But Live With the Effects of Surgery. Tough Love Isn't What We Need
Bladder cancer patients who undergo cystectomy often face profound emotional distress from living with an ostomy, a reality that many spouses and caregivers fail to grasp. Psychotherapist Bernadette Chin emphasizes that compassionate, non‑judgmental presence—simple gestures like a hug or quiet...
Too Scared to Dive Into a Fixed-Rate Annuity? Interest Rates Make It Worth Dipping Your Toe In
Fixed‑rate annuities, especially multi‑year guarantee annuities (MYGAs), are offering yields around 6.30% for seven‑year terms, markedly higher than current savings‑account rates near 3.75%. A $100,000 MYGA would grow to roughly $153,000 tax‑deferred, outpacing cash equivalents by about $24,000 over the...
5 Signs You're Living Someone Else's Definition of Success (and How to Stop That Without Burning It All Down)
Becca Pearce warns that many high‑achievers are living by a borrowed definition of success, chasing external markers like bigger houses, titles, and salaries. She outlines five tell‑tale signs—comparison‑driven ambition, hollow achievements, role‑based identity, guilt over new desires, and postponing happiness—that...
I'm a Wealth Manager: This Critical Issue Could Cost Wealthy Families Big-Time if No One Takes Control
Private‑equity firms are rapidly consolidating the accounting sector, with more than 100 CPA firm deals completed in 2025—up from roughly two dozen just two years earlier. The surge spreads tax preparation across larger, often offshore, teams, diluting the personal continuity...
Should You Rent an EV for Your Road Trip? As Gas Prices Rise, Let's Look at the Costs
As gasoline prices climb amid global supply strains, rental firms are expanding electric‑vehicle (EV) fleets with daily rates between $40 and $90, often matching or undercutting gas‑car prices. Electricity costs range from $0.08 to $0.20 per mile, but fast‑charging fees...
I'm a Wealth Adviser: This Proactive Tax Strategy Maximizes What You Actually Keep After Taxes
Wealth advisers stress that tax planning must be integrated with investment management to protect after‑tax returns. The article recommends beginning coordination 12‑24 months before large capital‑gain events, concentrated stock holdings, or liquidity events, allowing loss harvesting, asset‑location shifts, and charitable...
Are Your Retirement Savings on Track at Ages 55 to 60? Take Our Quiz
JPMorgan released retirement‑savings benchmarks for households earning $80,000 to $300,000, outlining target balances at ages 55 and 60. The model assumes a 65‑year retirement, a 5% annual gross savings rate, and a target‑date fund portfolio lasting 35 years. Targets range...
Ask the Tax Editor, April 17: Questions on Tax Refunds and Penalties
The article answers four frequent taxpayer questions: how to correct a wrong bank account for a refund, why paper‑check refunds are delayed as the IRS phases them out, the mechanics behind the underpayment penalty, and eligibility for first‑time penalty abatement....
3 Questions to Ask Before Deciding if a Roth Conversion Is Right for You
Roth conversions let retirees shift tax liability from future withdrawals to today, but the decision hinges on three core questions. Taxpayers must assess whether their future tax rate will exceed the current rate, ensure they can cover the conversion tax...
How Football and Annuities Can Defend Against Risk in Retirement
The article warns that the S&P 500’s CAPE ratio of 39.59 – the highest since the dot‑com era – signals elevated market valuations and likely muted equity returns. It draws parallels between football defensive tactics and retirement investing, urging investors to...
Where a Trump Account Might Fit in Your Financial Strategy for Your Newborn (Agree With Him or Not, Your Child...
The Treasury is introducing a new "Trump Account" that functions like a low‑cost, tax‑deferred retirement vehicle for children born between 2025 and 2028. Eligible newborns can receive a $1,000 federal grant when parents file IRS Form 4547 with their 2025 return....
4 Retirement Risks Business Owners Often Overlook
Business owners often assume their company will fund retirement, but four blind spots can jeopardize a smooth transition. First, tying net worth to a single illiquid asset creates concentration risk, requiring diversified retirement accounts. Second, tax planning is frequently postponed...
Nasdaq Extends Winning Streak to 12: Stock Market Today
The Nasdaq Composite closed at a record 24,102, extending its winning streak to 12 straight sessions—the longest run since 2009. Tech stocks showed mixed results, with AMD surging 7.8% and Intel up 5.5% while ASML and TSMC slipped. Crude oil...
3 Things Investors Can Do Now to Keep Control as Oil Prices Shake the Market
The renewed conflict around the Strait of Hormuz has tightened global oil supplies, pushing crude prices higher and rattling markets. BCA Research chief strategist Felix Vezina‑Poirier warns that the U.S. blockade could prolong the disruption, giving Iran leverage over energy...
S&P, Nasdaq Close at New All-Time Highs: Stock Market Today
U.S. equity indexes posted mixed results on Wednesday, but the S&P 500 surged 0.8% to a record‑closing 7,022 and the Nasdaq Composite broke 24,000 for the first time, ending at 24,016 after an 11‑day winning streak. The rally was powered by...
Aerospace Industry Hopes for Iran Windfall
The 2026 aerospace outlook remains upbeat despite the Iran war, with strong civilian and defense demand. Airbus aims to deliver 870 jets but faces Pratt & Whitney engine delays and material lead‑times, while Boeing is limited to 42 jets a...
Near Retirement? Jumbo CDs Can Protect and Grow Your Cash Fast
Jumbo CDs, requiring $50,000‑$100,000 deposits, are offering APYs up to 4.35% for six‑month to one‑year terms, outpacing the 3.3% inflation rate. The products provide FDIC‑insured, low‑risk returns and quicker access than longer‑term bonds, though early‑withdrawal penalties can erode gains. Retirees...
We're 68 With $6.8 Million. I Give Our 'Kids' $1K a Month, Though They Earn a Good Living. My Husband...
A 68‑year‑old couple with $6.8 million in retirement assets is giving each adult child $1,000 per month. The gifts fall well below the $19,000 annual federal gift‑tax exclusion, so they require no IRS reporting and preserve the couple’s estate‑tax exemption. Financial...
Financial Success Is No Longer Only About Returns: Protection Is the New Performance Measure
The investment landscape is moving beyond pure return metrics, treating protection as an equally vital performance indicator. Wealth managers now emphasize clear role definitions for growth assets versus safety assets, using tools like indexed annuities and cash‑value life insurance to...
I Spend More Time With My Phone Than My Family. Will Retirement Fix That?
The article reflects on how Americans, especially those approaching retirement, spend more time on phones than with family, citing research that shows adults 50‑64 clock over ten hours of daily screen use. It argues that retirement alone won’t reset these...
Respected But Never Selected: The Real Reason You're Not Being Promoted at Work (and 5 Tips to Change That)
Companies are experiencing a promotion recession, with advancement rates at five‑year lows and some firms offering just a 1.3% chance of promotion annually. High‑performing employees may earn respect, but without visibility to senior decision‑makers they are often passed over. The...
6 Scary Retirement Risks (and How to Vanquish Them)
Retirement planning must confront six core risks that can undermine financial security: longevity, market volatility, inflation, healthcare costs, sequence‑of‑returns, and behavioral biases. As lifespans stretch to 30 years, retirees need diversified income streams, inflation‑adjusted assets, and strategies like annuities or delayed...
5 More Ways to Address the Conundrum of Concentrated Stock
Financial advisers are increasingly confronting clients with heavily concentrated stock positions, such as a 60% holding in a single company. The article outlines five advanced strategies to mitigate concentration risk: direct indexing with tax‑loss harvesting, tax‑aware long‑short positions, variable prepaid...
I'm a Financial Adviser: This Could Be the Single Biggest Threat to an Otherwise Solid Retirement Plan
Long‑term care (LTC) threatens the stability of otherwise solid retirement plans, with roughly 70% of Americans over 65 likely to need some form of care. Traditional LTC insurance was costly, unpredictable, and often wasted if never used, deterring many retirees....
Treating Your Inheritance as 'Extra Money' Is a Sure Way to Blow It: Instead, Use This Simple Technique for Financial...
An inheritance can feel like a windfall, but impulsive spending often erodes its value. Experts advise a 6‑12 month pause, placing the money in a secure, liquid account while a strategy is crafted. Understanding tax rules—such as step‑up in basis...
If You're Retiring Early, an ACA Subsidy Now Could Be a Tax Headache Later
Affluent retirees who leave the workforce before age 65 often lower their modified adjusted gross income to qualify for ACA marketplace subsidies, saving $15,000‑$20,000 a year. By doing so they postpone Roth conversions, allowing tax‑deferred balances to balloon and later...
10 Cheapest Places to Live in South Carolina
South Carolina’s cheapest counties combine ultra‑low property taxes with modest home prices, making the state a magnet for retirees and remote‑work professionals. Median home values range from $76,200 in Allendale to $104,500 in Williamsburg, while property tax bills dip below...
We Received a $10k Tax Refund. My Wife Wants to Save It, I Want to Splurge. What Should We Do?
Couple receives $10,000 tax refund; wife wants to save, husband wants to splurge. Financial experts recommend first ensuring an emergency fund of 3–6 months in a high‑yield savings account. Next, prioritize paying off any high‑interest debt and consider boosting retirement...
Is Your Car Making You a Distracted Driver?
April marks distracted‑driving awareness month, yet 29% of U.S. crashes still stem from driver distraction, killing over 3,200 people and costing roughly $395 billion annually, according to NHTSA. The problem extends beyond phones; modern infotainment systems and driver‑assist technologies demand visual,...
When Multiple Tax Rules Collide: Don't Pay a 50% Rate on Your Roth Conversion by Mistake
The Kiplinger Tax Letter warns that Roth conversions in retirement can trigger a hidden "tax torpedo," where multiple tax rules—Social Security taxation, capital‑gains brackets, and the new senior‑deduction phase‑out—apply to the same dollar. In a 65‑plus couple’s scenario, a $60,000...
April Brings Showers, Flowers and Your Financial Fitness Plan From a Financial Planner
April marks Financial Literacy Month, highlighting that only 33% of adults worldwide possess basic financial knowledge. The article breaks personal finance into wealth‑accumulation and wealth‑preservation stages, offering concrete actions for legacy planning, investment management, and family communication. It stresses updating...
Forget 'Trust Reveal' Parties: This Is How to Successfully Transfer Wealth
Families often overlook the emotional groundwork needed for successful wealth transfers, leading to a 70% failure rate. Experts recommend three pillars: telling the family’s story and values, defining a clear purpose for the wealth, and initiating ongoing money conversations from...
Even 'Easy' Investing Strategies Can Get Complicated Fast: How to Keep the Magnificent 7 From Endangering Your Portfolio
The seven megacap tech giants—Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Alphabet, Nvidia and Tesla—now dominate the S&P 500, with Nvidia alone accounting for more than 20% of the index’s 2024 gains. Their outsized weight means that a cap‑weighted index is effectively a bet...
Dow Swings Higher to Add 275 Points: Stock Market Today
U.S. equities closed higher on Thursday as the Dow Jones rose 0.6% to 48,185, driven by a Bloomberg report that Israel is ready to negotiate with Lebanon, easing Middle‑East tensions. West Texas Intermediate crude surged past $97 a barrel, pushing...
More States Are Changing to Flat Tax Rates in 2026: Here’s How You Could Save and Who Benefits Most
More than a dozen U.S. states are now using a single income‑tax rate in 2026, with Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio and Mississippi recently cutting top brackets to flat rates ranging from 2.5% to 5.3%. Ohio’s new 2.75%...
Thinking About Using Your Home Equity in April? What to Know About Rates, Risks and Timing First
Homeowners hold roughly $17 trillion in equity, with about $11 trillion potentially tappable, but borrowing costs remain high. As of April 2026, average home‑equity loan rates hover around 8 %, and the Federal Reserve’s steady policy plus geopolitical tensions keep rates elevated. Fixed‑rate home‑equity...
Why This Go-Anywhere JPMorgan Bond ETF Is Thriving
JPMorgan Income ETF (JPIE) posted a 6.9% total return over the past 12 months while delivering less than half the volatility of the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The fund currently yields 5.6% and benefits from a flexible, multi‑sector mandate...
Gen Z Is Changing Retirement Saving. Here's What Millennials Can Learn
Gen Z’s retirement landscape is reshaping traditional saving habits. The average 401(k) balance sits at about $13,500, the lowest among generations, yet 76% are already contributing, often starting around age 23. Their overall contribution rate of roughly 10.9% of income—including...
We're 59 and Retired With $5.3 Million. We Want to Spend $250,000 a Year Until Medicare and Social Security Start....
A 59‑year‑old couple with $5.3 million saved plans to withdraw $250,000 annually until Medicare and Social Security begin. The withdrawal rate is just under 5%, which experts deem high for a long‑term plan but potentially acceptable as a temporary bridge. They...
The Private Assets Held in Public Companies
Dimensional Fund Advisors estimates that the 20 largest U.S. public companies collectively own between $96 billion and $157 billion in private‑equity and venture‑capital assets as of the end of 2024. ExxonMobil tops the list with up to $41.4 billion, while Alphabet and Amazon...
This One's for You (and Barry Manilow Fans) if You're Asking, 'Am I Really on the Right Financial Track?'
Amid volatile markets and shifting economic outlooks, many Americans are questioning whether their financial plans are on track. The article advocates a one‑time financial check‑up to review savings, investments, retirement accounts, taxes and goals without long‑term advisory fees. It outlines...
I'm a Financial Adviser: This Is How to Ensure Your Kids Never Hear, 'We Might Lose the House'
A financial adviser argues that retirement risk stems more from plan fragility than market volatility, urging clients to build cash‑flow resilience, tax‑shock control, and coordinated five‑pillar strategies. He proposes a three‑bucket framework—safety, income, growth—to ensure essential expenses are covered without...
Nasdaq Rises as Iran Deadline Draws Near: Stock Market Today
U.S. markets opened lower as Iran’s deadline loomed, but the Nasdaq managed a modest 0.1% gain while the Dow slipped 0.2%. Crude oil spiked 4.6% intraday, reaching $117.63 before easing to $112.27, reflecting heightened geopolitical risk from Tehran’s threats to...
March CPI Report: Iran War Is Expected to Boost Inflation
The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the March CPI on April 10, with headline inflation projected to rise 0.8% month‑over‑month and 3.1% year‑over‑year. Energy prices, spurred by the Iran‑Israel‑U.S. conflict, are expected to jump roughly 10% and dominate the headline...
Does Your Retirement Plan Ignore Half of Your Net Worth? Here's How You Can Tap Your Housing Wealth for a...
The article highlights that primary residences now represent roughly half of Baby Boomers’ net worth, yet most retirement‑planning tools treat home equity as a non‑liquid liability. Federal Reserve data shows the share of wealth in homes rose to just over...
What to Know About Dynamic Pricing — and How to Beat It
Dynamic pricing leverages AI‑driven algorithms to fluctuate prices based on demand, competition, and individual shopper data. The practice, long used by airlines, now spans hotels, ride‑hailing apps, event tickets, and major e‑commerce platforms like Amazon and Walmart. Recent investigations revealed...
The Investment Case for Farmland: Inflation Hedge Meets Growing Global Demand
Farmland is emerging as a strategic asset as global food demand is set to rise 60% by 2030 while arable land shrinks. Historical data show the class delivering roughly 10% annualized returns with only 5% volatility, outperforming fixed‑income and acting...