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Receiving Social Security benefits is advantageous in retirement, but like almost every other form of income, these benefits are taxed by the government. To accurately predict your retirement income (and taxes), it’s important to understand how Social Security benefits are taxed.  Here, we explain everything you need to know about Social Security benefit taxation.  How are Social Security Benefits Taxed?  While Social Security benefits are a vital source of income for many retirees, a portion of these benefits may be subjected to federal income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service

Understanding your tax bracket is crucial for effective financial planning in 2026 and beyond. Tax brackets are adjusted annually due to inflation and policy changes. Here, we outline the tax brackets for 2026 and some ways to reduce your taxable income.   2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets  The IRS adjusts tax brackets annually based on inflation, and for 2026, here are the tax rates for different income levels:1  Single Filers:  37% for incomes over $640,600  35% for incomes over $256,225  32%

Wondering if you’re prepared for the upcoming giving season?  The holidays are here, and to minimize stress and maximize your gifting abilities, it’s important to keep in mind a few ideas that you may or may not be aware of.   If you’re not sure how your finances match up with your upcoming year-end giving strategy, now is the time to prepare by making your lists and checking them twice. Organization is key to proper gifting this holiday season. Follow the

When you created your investment strategy, your asset allocation reflected your goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk.  Over time, however, any of these three factors may have changed, and your portfolio may need adjustments to reflect your new investing priorities.  Diversification  The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” has some application to investing. Over time, certain asset classes may perform better than others. If your assets are mostly held in one kind of investment, you could find yourself under

Open enrollment (the annual period when you can enroll in major medical health insurance plans), begins November 1, 2025, and will remain open until January 15, 2026. You will need to enroll by December 15, 2025 for coverage that begins January 1, 2026.1 For someone looking to change or add coverage, this offers a short window of time to decide on and select your health insurance plan. To avoid a hasty decision to meet this deadline, take some time now to

U.S. Markets Stocks powered ahead in the third quarter as solid economic data, strong corporate results, and a positive shift in Fed policy drove market momentum. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 7.79% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 5.22%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite led the way, gaining 11.24%.1 A Jumpstart in July Stocks rose steadily in July as investors viewed economic updates, trade development, and second-quarter corporate results in a positive light. The White House announced a

Whether you’ve officially retired or are still working full time, it’s possible your health insurance options are changing. Depending on your age or health status, you may soon be qualified for Medicare. While you’ve likely heard of it before, we’re breaking down what exactly it is, who Medicare benefits and what each Medicare part covers.  What Is Medicare?  Medicare is a government-funded national health insurance program that was established in 1966. It is designed to offer coverage to individuals including:1   

On July 4, the One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law at a White House ceremony. This domestic policy bill extends the 2017 tax cuts set to expire this year, making some of those rules permanent. The bill also creates several new tax laws for individuals while addressing other tax issues for businesses.1,2  It might be a good time to check with your tax, legal, or accounting professional about the changes in the law. Some will start this year,

College tuition is at an all-time high. As of 2025, the average student loan debt is $38,375 per student, and the average monthly student loan payment was $536.1,2  It’s no wonder parents want to help their children pay off their student loans as quickly as possible. Paying off this debt could help set your child up for success as they make important financial choices, such as applying for a mortgage.  However, is paying off your child’s student loans early always

When considering your retirement strategy, how much thought do you give to how long you might live? It can be an uncomfortable reality to consider, but this shouldn’t dissuade you from giving it some serious thought.  For many people preparing for retirement, one of the biggest fears is running out of money. If you’ve lived to 65 years, you will probably live to at least 84 years if you’re male and 87 years if you’re female, according to Social Security