Participant Resources

On August 18, 2020, the S&P 500 set a record high for the first time since COVID-19 ushered in a bear market on February 19. The cycle from peak to peak was just 126 trading days, the fastest recovery in the history of the index, erasing losses from an equally historic plunge of almost 34% in February and March.

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period is the time during which Medicare beneficiaries can make new choices and pick plans that work best for them. Each year, Medicare plan costs and coverage typically change. In addition, your health-care needs may have changed over the past year.

For comparison, during the Global Financial Crisis, the 12-month change in retail sales dropped around 12%. Based on recent numbers, so far retail sales have dropped 22%. Roughly speaking, this means that for the month of April, U.S. consumers purchased roughly $100 billion less goods and services than they did a year ago. More broadly, since the beginning of March, the U.S. consumer has purchased roughly $160 billion less goods and services than they did over the same time period a year ago.

The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan is increased from $19,000 to $19,500. The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in these plans is increased from $6,000 to $6,500.

Participating in the company’s retirement plan is a smart (and important) decision. Smart because you are putting away small amounts today for a comfortable retirement later.

Planning for the departure of a loved one is a difficult thing to think about, but no matter how delicate, it is something any pragmatic planner must consider. What happens to your retirement account when you, your spouse or partner pass?

With the recent market volatility, it’s understandable that you may be concerned about your investments. Volatile markets can make you wonder if you’re on track to meet your retirement goals. Don’t be discouraged and most of all, don’t panic. Instead, be proactive!

The combination of investments you choose is as important as the individual investments themselves. In fact, many experts argue that it's even more important, since the mix of various types of investments accounts for most of the ups and downs of a portfolio's return.

When investing, particularly for long-term goals, there are two concepts you will likely hear about over and over again - diversification and asset allocation.

The demands on medical practitioners today can seem overwhelming. It's no secret that health-care delivery is changing, and those changes are reflected in the financial issues that health-care professionals face every day.

Making decisions about your retirement account can seem overwhelming, especially if you feel unsure about your knowledge of investments.

The $1.4 trillion spending package enacted on December 20, 2019, included the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, which had overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in the spring of 2019, but then subsequently stalled in the Senate.

Investing for your retirement isn't about getting rich quick. More often, it's about having a game plan that you can live with over a long time. You wouldn't expect to be able to play the piano without learning the basics and practicing.

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was enacted in December 2019 as part of a larger federal spending package. This long awaited legislation expands savings opportunities for workers and includes new requirements and incentives for employers that provide retirement benefits.