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A topic of recent interest among investors is the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain current interest rates, rather than pursuing a lowering strategy. While this may initially seem like a cause for concern, a closer examination reveals that steady rates have significant benefits for the economy and, by extension, investors.

If you're nearing retirement age, you know the Social Security process and how much you will likely receive. With that information, you may have also anticipated that your Social Security benefit would not be enough to sustain you in retirement and, by itself, would not fully allow you to enjoy your retirement plans.

The Masters golf tournament and successful investing may seem like two completely different worlds, but they share many similarities in terms of tradition. Both have established practices that have stood the test of time, and both require a combination of skill, strategy, and patience to succeed.

We know serious accidents and life-threatening illnesses can strike. Shouldn’t we communicate our wishes to our loved ones, our potential caregivers, before a crisis?

As spring approaches, the weather is starting to warm up. For the stock market, the temperature has been rising for a while now.

Working in medicine may be challenging, especially with the strain placed on health care professionals in recent years. Working towards a comfortable early retirement may be a financial goal for some physicians. Here are some suggestions that doctors may use to manage financial independence.

Retirement is a time that many of us look forward to our entire careers. It is the reward for a lifetime of work and the time to indulge in hobbies and enjoy much-needed vacations. While everyone looks forward to this seemingly-magical moment, if it is not the ideal time or plan, you may be in a poor financial position and unable to enjoy your retirement as you envisioned. Not sure if your retirement plan is still in line with your future life or financial goals?

Approximately 60 million workers contribute to a 401(k)-retirement plan. A 401(k) is a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan companies offer employees and is funded through elective salary deferrals. There are several benefits to having a 401(k), especially if you are a high earner, that offer ways to build a substantial retirement. However, there are some downsides to keep in mind. Here are both the pros and cons to consider.

As we kick off 2024, the world of retirement planning is undergoing a fairly significant transformation, as tax brackets, retirement contribution limits, estate and gift tax exemptions, among other things, are set to undergo upward revisions. Additionally, the gradual introduction of Secure 2.0, a pivotal retirement legislation, continues to unfurl, introducing implications that resonate deeply with both prospective retirees and current savers.

As people settle into the New Year, some may notice a slightly larger paycheck deposited into their account. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) implemented new federal income tax brackets, allowing some Americans to keep more of their income instead of handing it over to the government. Brackets were adjusted 5.4% higher for married and individual filers to account for inflation.

Stocks are off to a solid start in 2024. January gains are particularly enjoyable because of the old adage from the Stock Trader’s Almanac, “As goes January, so goes the year.” Nearly 75 years of historical data shows that when the S&P 500 has risen in January, the average gain for the remainder of the year has been about 12%. This January, the S&P 500 was up 1.6%.

For many, spending more quality time with loved ones and friends is a New Year’s resolution or work-life balance goal. But for investors who are accustomed to keeping a close eye on their assets' performance, balancing one's "to do" list with one's "want to do" list may be tricky. Below, we discuss three time management tips investors may employ to free up some extra time for what matters most.

As a physician, you understand your medical specialty inside and out, but at the same time, you also need to be able to handle the financial challenges associated with your industry. That may include juggling a lot of student and professional debt, running your own clinic, saving for the future, and creating contingency plans for disabilities or medical liability issues.

The federal income tax filing deadline isn’t until April. However, the start of tax season is nearly upon us. Here are some tips for navigating the tax filing process to help lessen some of the stress you may feel as Tax Day arrives.

Many IRA and retirement plan limits are indexed for inflation each year. Several of these key numbers have increased once again for 2024. The maximum amount you can contribute to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA in 2024 will be $7,000 (or 100% of your earned income, if less), up from $6,500 in 2023. The maximum catch-up contribution for those age 50 or older remains $1,000.

Last year was especially gratifying given the pessimism at the outset. It also offers some important lessons for investors...

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, with as many as 10% of Americans over age 16 becoming victims last year, according to a bulletin from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Identity theft is a type of fraud in which a thief uses your personal information to conduct transactions in your name.

While protecting your financial data has always been important, it grows even more critical as you start planning for retirement. From preserving your retirement savings to maintaining financial independence to avoiding stress, you want to keep all the assets you've accumulated by hard work. Here are a few steps you may take to protect your financial information now and in retirement.

With tax season coming to an end, it’s the ideal time to use this year's tax return to help update your financial plan. If you’re in the group of one in four Americans who do not already have a financial plan, it may be time to create your first one.

Tax planning might be complex, but it's also essential—especially for high-net-worth families, where missing tax breaks or failing to optimize income could cost significant dollars, maybe millions, over a lifetime. And even in the short term, with the highest marginal federal tax rate sitting at 37% for 20241 (plus additional state and local taxes), a lack of tax planning could mean you keep less than half of every dollar you earn.

Getting close to retirement is exciting, but it often brings a little worry about your financial future. The closer you get, the more you may be concerned with the rising living costs and if your finances are on track to allow you to live as planned when retirement comes. Whether your retirement is within the next couple of years or the next five, the new year is the perfect time to make financial resolutions to help you toward your retirement goals.

LPL Research’s Outlook 2024: A Turning Point provides insight and analysis into next year’s opportunities, challenges, and potential surprises. We understand that making progress toward long-term financial goals requires a strong plan and sound advice. The insights in this report, combined with guidance from me, will help position you to navigate this turning point and work toward achieving your objectives. 

If one of your New Year's resolutions involves enhancing and expanding your investment portfolio, look no further. In a true New Year's Eve countdown tradition, ask yourself these 10 questions to help review your investment plans.

The holiday season is a time of joy and headaches, celebration, fatigue, and togetherness mixed with a few knock-down drag-out fights. On top of the emotional rollercoaster ride can come a big wallop of financial stress. From buying gifts to hosting parties and traveling to see loved ones, plus filling up a cabinet with booze, expenses can quickly add up, leaving many overwhelmed.

Police officers have one of the most stressful—and dangerous—jobs in the United States. As a result, they also have different retirement benefits that may allow full retirement after only a couple of decades of active duty. For some officers, relying on the police pension may not be enough to retire comfortably and confidently. Here are four financial planning tips for police officers.

The window of opportunity for many tax-saving moves closes on December 31, so it's important to evaluate your tax situation now, while there's still time to affect your bottom line for the 2023 tax year.

Government employees, such as teachers, firefighters, police, and others, often consider working after their eligible retirement age when presented with a DROPs offer. A DROP program is a tax-advantaged retirement plan that provides employer monies in exchange for the employee continuing to work past retirement. In a DROP program, the employer sets aside an annual-lump payment into an interest-bearing account that the employee accesses later when they retire.