Blog

The SECURE 2.0 Act made two primary changes to retirement plan catch-up contributions: creating an optional "super catch-up" contribution limit for ages 60-63 that began in 2025, and implementing a mandatory Roth contribution rule for...

The second half of October delivered a flurry of impactful headlines across earnings, monetary policy, government shutdowns, and geopolitics - each shaping the investment landscape as we head into the year-end. Here are some key...

The October 1 deadline has passed, and the U.S. government has shut down. While political gridlock is never ideal, history suggests that shutdowns tend to be short-lived and have minimal sustained impact on the economy or the stock...

The Federal Reserve has what’s called a "dual mandate"—keep everyday prices stable while promoting an economy that creates jobs. Managing that dual mandate is becoming more challenging this year, with prices and jobs giving mixed...

At this point, we’ve all received the same unsettling message from various companies: “A bad actor infiltrated our systems and stole your personal data.” From Facebook and Apple, to Google, LinkedIn, Target, and Marriott, data breaches...

In classic Washington style, Congress pushed the limits of drama and delay, passing a sweeping reconciliation bill just hours before President Donald Trump’s self-imposed July 4, 2025 deadline. After intense negotiations, squabbles...

With so much heavy news in the world today, we thought we'd take a moment to shift the focus to something a little lighter. And what better way to do that than by highlighting something literally lighter—the penny! The humble one-cent...

The latest market recovery is another reminder that periods of turmoil can often create opportunities. Although stocks may pull back after their strong rally since the April 8 lows — especially if trade deals and tariff reductions...

We know recent headlines and the significant market drop may feel unsettling, and it's understandable to wonder if this time truly is different. In moments like these, Sir John Templeton's famous insight becomes particularly valuable:...

Hi {Firstname}, As we navigate the changes brought by the new administration, it's important to stay informed about how these developments might impact Social Security. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has initiated...

You may have heard about the recently signed Social Security Fairness Act and wondered what it was and how it might affect you.The Social Security Fairness Act eliminates two longstanding provisions for Social Security: the Windfall...

Tax season 2024-25 is approaching and being prepared is the best way to make this tax season your easiest yet. We have summarized some important points below: Most Form 1099s should be mailed by January 31, 2025. As your statements...

Hi {Firstname}, As we begin the new year, we offer the following perspective from Mark Zabicki, CFA and Chief Investment Officer at LPL Financial: ____ LPL Research is pleased to present Outlook 2025: Pragmatic Optimism. Our annual...

Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5% increase in their benefit payments in 2025, according to the Social Security Administration. The annual cost of living (COLA) adjustment will affect more than 72.5 million Social Security...

With the new year just around the corner, it's time to get ahead of the game with the IRS's updated tax and retirement rules for 2025: Tax Bracket Inflation Adjustment:The IRS adjusts tax brackets annually to account for inflation...

During this terrible and destructive hurricane season, our hearts are with Florida, North Carolina, the Gulf Coast, and other impacted communities. Your mind might go to this famous quote by Fred Rogers from television’s Mister...

Anticipation is growing for the Fed’s next two-day policy meeting, which ends on September 18, 2024. And with good reason! If the Fed decides to cut short-term interest rates, it would be the first adjustment to be lower in more than...

Stocks must have gotten the memo that August tends to be weak historically. July, the eighth positive month in the past nine, was quickly forgotten as the beginning of August greeted us with a selloff. The primary catalyst was August...

As we begin the second half of 2024, we offer the following perspective from Mark Zabicki, CFA and Chief Investment Officer at LPL Financial: LPL Research recently unveiled Midyear Outlook 2024: Still Waiting for the Turn, our...

We get regular updates on the Social Security trust fund. In early May, the Social Security Board of Trustees announced that the trust funds had revenue to pay full benefits until 2035. Generally speaking, the headline's tone is very...

Some have been waiting for the Fed to lower interest rates and confirm it will ease monetary policy, which may result in lower home mortgage rates, credit card rates, auto loans, and so forth. However, the Fed went another route at the...

There are many factors that impact stock market returns, but one common concern of investors is how the stock market will be impacted by a change in America’s President. In past election years, the S&P 500 Index has seen more positive...

Tax season is upon us when we reconcile our dues with Uncle Sam. However, it's also a period when some unscrupulous individuals exploit this necessity, conducting scams to defraud unsuspecting taxpayers. In this digital age, tax scams...

We can't remember the last time there was such a wide divergence in the outlook for short-term interest rates. But, some confusion is to be expected when the Federal Reserve primes the markets for lower rates but provides few details....

Tax season is approaching and being prepared is the best way to make this tax season your easiest yet. Our comprehensive 2023-24 Tax Season Guide contains all the information you may need to easily address tax issues and...

The Internal Revenue Service recently released updated income tax brackets, standard deduction, and retirement contribution limits for the 2024 tax year. While these taxes are not due for some time, it may benefit you to start...

As of October 4, 2023, the Massachusetts estate tax filing exemption retroactively increased from $1 million to $2 million for decedents dying on or after January 1, 2023.1  This is the first increase in the Massachusetts estate...

The S&P 500 is a general stock market index that measures the performance of 500 companies in the U.S. stock exchange.  The S&P 500 index is calculated using two different methods: the Market...

Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s a headline risk for the markets?” Headline risk is the chance that an unsettling news event–anticipated or a surprise–can add volatility to the financial markets....

The Federal Reserve has a dual mandate—manage inflation and maximize employment. But sometimes, those economic goals conflict with each other. As you can see in the accompanying chart, labor shortages in 2022 pressured businesses...

On June 30th the Supreme Court ruled against President Joe Biden's plan to wipe out student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans. The decision means that federal loan borrowers who were eligible for relief will need to...

Now that the debt ceiling negotiations are behind us and President Biden has signed the measure, what will Wall Street's wandering eye focus on next?Inflation? Interest rates? Recession? Artificial intelligence?More than likely,...

Spring is often thought of as an uplifting time, marked by growth and renewed hope as we emerge from the long months of winter and look ahead to the rest of year. Investors saw signs of such renewed hope in recent weeks, especially on...

The financial markets’ resilient performance during March was striking, despite pockets of uncertainty surrounding the strength of the economy — including concerns over the durability of the banking system. The ability of...

Given the volatility of the markets over the past fourteen months, we offer the following perspective from Jeffrey Buchbinder, CFA, Chief Equity Strategist of LPL Financial's research team:_____Financial markets have experienced quite...

The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied...

Happy New Year!Congress spent the final days of 2022 on new reforms designed to help Americans save more for retirement.You may hear the changes called SECURE Act 2.0, which is a follow-up to the Setting Every Community Up for...

Over the years, the Fed has followed a similar pattern with interest rates. It raises interest rates, then pauses, so it can see how the economy is adjusting to the higher rates. The chart below shows the Fed’s pattern with...

The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.Individual Retirement...

Traditionally, we are a little cautious when people say, “it’s different this time.” After all, the past few years have seen more financial “firsts” than most.But despite that skepticism, this year saw...

Have you heard? The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on Tuesday, August 16. While the $430 billion package includes many provisions, we thought we'd highlight three key areas where you may benefit the most.Tax...

It’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are four moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current...

Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that may lie ahead. So far, this year hasn’t seen a...

It’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are four moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current...

As you might have heard, people are talking about a big bump in Social Security benefits next year.The Senior Citizens League says payments could rise by as much as 8.6 percent in 2023, compared to an increase of 5.9 percent in 2022....