Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2018 Every year, the Internal Revenue Service 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 2018.* Employer retirement plans Employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), and [...]
The Markets (as of market close January 5, 2018) The first week of 2018 saw equities enjoy a strong start to the new year. Less than a year after breaking the 20000 mark, the Dow soared past 25000 last week. The wide-ranging S&P 500 also posted a record close while climbing 2.60%. The Nasdaq picked [...]
The Markets (as of market close December 29, 2017) While 2017 surely was a strong year for equities overall, the last week of the year was lackluster at best. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here posted week-over-week losses, except for the Global Dow, which increased 0.23%. Much of last week's performance could be attributable [...]
Overview The year 2017 was eventful, to say the least. President Trump and Congress tried, without success, to repeal the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare. However, the new year-end tax law included the elimination of the individual health insurance mandate. The U.S. economy started slowly but picked up steam as the year progressed. Ten [...]
The Markets (as of market close November 30, 2017) The Dow soared over 300 points on the last day of November to close above 24000 for the first time in its history. Hopes for a tax overhaul may have contributed to investor confidence in equities. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here posted favorable monthly [...]
The Markets (as of market close December 8, 2017) Last week proved to be a mixed bag of market returns as the large caps of the Dow and S&P 500 posted moderate gains, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq and small caps of the Russell 2000 closed the week down. A stronger than expected jobs report may [...]
The Markets (as of market close November 24, 2017) Stocks rebounded last week in spite of the market shutting down for the Thanksgiving holiday. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here posted weekly gains, led by the Russell 2000, which posted one of its largest weekly advances this year. The tech-heavy Nasdaq was next, followed [...]
The Markets (as of market close November 17, 2017) Last week saw a mixed bag of returns as the large caps of the Dow and S&P 500 lost value for the second consecutive week, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq and small caps of the Russell 2000 posted gains. Major gains from consumer companies such as Wal-Mart [...]
The Markets (as of market close November 10, 2017) Trepidation over proposed tax reform took a toll on large caps last week, ending what had been a run of consecutive weekly positive returns. The small caps of the Russell 2000 were particularly hit, sending that index down over 1.30%. Rising oil prices pushed energy stocks [...]
During the Medicare Open Enrollment Period that runs from October 15 through December 7, you can make changes to your Medicare coverage that will be effective on January 1, 2018. If you're satisfied with your current coverage, you don't need to make changes, but it's a good idea to review your options. During Open Enrollment, [...]
