Most areas in the United States are susceptible to some form of natural disaster, whether it’s a wildfire, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, or flood. A severe storm or other catastrophic event often strikes with little warning, can result in costly damage to your home, and puts your family’s safety at risk. Being prepared may help you
In March 2022, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), the most common measure of inflation, rose at an annual rate of 8.5%, the highest level since December 1981.1 It’s not surprising that a Gallup poll at the end of March found that one out of six Americans considers inflation to be the
With more than 7,400 mutual funds to consider in the United States alone, some investors may feel overwhelmed by the thought of deciding which ones to select for their portfolios. At the same time, most mutual fund-owning households base their purchase decisions on these measures: historical performance (94%), investment objectives and risk potential (91%), and
$23.0 trillion – Total value of 2021 U.S. GDP expressed in current dollars, an increase of $2.1 trillion over 2020. Both real GDP (inflation-adjusted) and current-dollar GDP surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2022 In 2021, U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) — the value of goods and services produced in the
As measured by the Consumer Price Index for food at home, grocery prices increased 3.4% in 2020, a faster rate than the 20-year historical average of 2.4%.1 More recently, food inflation accelerated by 6.5% during the 12 months ending in December 2021, while prices for the category that includes meat, poultry, fish, and eggs spiked
Imagine stepping into an elevator and realizing that you’re about to spend the 30-second ride with someone who could make your retirement dreams come true — if only you could explain them before the doors open again. How would you summarize your financial situation, outlook, aspirations, and plans if you had 30 seconds to make
Nearly three quarters of workers and 77% of retirees in a recent survey said they remain at least somewhat confident that they will experience a comfortable retirement, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Nevertheless, a third of workers and a quarter of retirees felt less confident this year due to the economic effects of
$147,000 – Limit on wages subject to Social Security payroll taxes in 2022 (increased annually for inflation). Proposals to address the Social Security funding shortfall include eliminating the wage cap or maintaining the cap and then reinstating the tax at higher income levels. Proposals differ as to whether benefits would be increased commensurate with higher
$12,060,000 – Lifetime limit that can be excluded from gift and estate taxes in 2022. The exclusion amount is adjusted annually for inflation but is scheduled to revert to its pre-2018 level ($5 million adjusted for inflation) after 2025. “Portability” enables a surviving spouse to use the deceased spouse’s unused exclusion amount if the appropriate
The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a surge in demand for vacation/second homes — mainly spurred by government shutdowns and stay-at-home advisories. Whether working remotely, attending school online, or meeting up with friends and family virtually, people found themselves spending more time than ever at home.1 If you are thinking about
