GDP: Measuring the Economy

It's likely you've heard a lot about the gross domestic product (GDP) if you follow the news. But what is its impact on the national economy and how has the Great Recession impacted the GDP? This primer explains the numbers behind the GDP and what it ultimately tells us about the economic health of the nation.

Growth, Value, or Both

The average annual return for large-cap value stocks was about 2.1% higher than for large-cap growth stocks, yet growth stocks outperformed value stocks in 13 out of 30 years. This article examines the difference between the two approaches and describes why holding both may help investors take advantage of a variety of market conditions.

New Opportunity Under the Federal Gift Tax

The 2010 Tax Relief Act raised the lifetime gift-tax exclusion to $5 million. This means it could be a good time to make the most of tax-free gift transfers. If so, it's important to understand the annual and lifetime gift exemption limits, as well as which gifts might not be subject to them.

Rethinking the Role of Household Debt

Many people aspire to pay off their home mortgages before retirement, but the housing situation and a weak economy have taken a toll on the finances of many older Americans. There are some compelling reasons why pre-retirees might want to consider maximizing their retirement plan contributions and avoid carrying large amounts of debt into retirement.

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Life Insurance

How much life insurance would you need to produce a sufficient income stream for your family?

College Funding

Use this calculator to estimate the cost of your child’s education, based on the variables you input.

Savings Goals

How much do you need to save each year to meet your long-term financial goals?

Cost of Retirement

Use this calculator to estimate how much income and savings you may need in retirement.

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