On June 8, 2023, the S&P 500 index closed at 4,293.93, just over 20% higher than its lowest recent closing value of 3,577.03 reached on October 12, 2022.1 According to a common definition of market cycles, this indicated that the benchmark index was officially in a bull market after a bear market that began in
To say the economy has been uneven over the past few years is an understatement. Amid these bumpy economic times, why buy life insurance? Here are a few reasons. Protection for Loved Ones Savings that were intended to provide support for you and your family may have taken a hit over the past few years
A chatbot with uncanny human-like writing abilities has become the poster child for artificial intelligence (AI) since it was released in late 2022, inspiring new levels of attention, excitement, and concern about recent advances in this life-changing technology. As the race among tech companies to monetize AI picks up speed, it’s worth considering how widespread
The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, signed into law on June 3, 2023, suspends the federal debt ceiling until January 2025. The legislation also includes a number of spending cuts. It is estimated to reduce federal budget deficits by about $1.5 trillion over the 2023-2033 period relative to the May 2023 baseline projections, according to
Tax-advantaged retirement accounts such as 401(k) plans and IRAs are intended to promote long-term retirement savings and thus offer preferential tax treatment in return for a commitment to keep savings in the account until at least age 59½. Withdrawals before that age may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty on top of
An AARP study released in July 2022 found that nearly half of all private sector employees ages 18 to 64 had no access to a retirement plan at work. It also found that small businesses are more likely to lack a work-based plan, putting their workers at a significant disadvantage when it comes to retirement
$29,100 – Average cumulative debt for 2020–21 bachelor’s degree recipients who graduated with debt from public and private nonprofit four-year institutions; 54% of students graduated with debt. This was an improvement over the 2015–16 school year, when 60% of students graduated with an average debt of $32,100. Source: College Board, 2022 While there is widespread
More than 37 million U.S. adults are living with some hearing loss, but only about one-fourth of those who might benefit from a hearing aid have used one.1 Cost is a big obstacle: The average price of a pair of prescription hearing aids runs about $4,600. Traditional Medicare and most health insurers cover routine hearing
It’s heartbreaking to hear stories of people losing money (even their life savings) as a result of fraud or financial exploitation, especially if they are older and financially vulnerable. In fact, it’s quite common. People age 70 and older reported losses of $567 million in 2022.1 You know your parents could be at risk, and
19% – Percentage of Americans who said they spent more than their income in 2021; 34% said they spent about equal to their income, and 43% said they spent less. These responses were almost exactly the same as in 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018 — suggesting that people are spenders or savers regardless of economic
