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
Probate is the process of proving the validity of a will and supervising the administration of an estate usually in the probate court. State law governs the proceedings in the probate court, so the process can vary from state to state. Supervising the administration of an estate can result in additional expense, unwanted publicity, and
$27,330 – Average total cost of attendance (COA) for an in-state student at a four-year public college for 2021-2022. Total COA includes direct billed costs for tuition, fees, room, and board, plus an amount for indirect costs for books, transportation, and personal expenses. The average total COA for a four-year private college is $55,800. Source:
$352,700 – National median price of an existing home in October 2021. This was lower than median prices in the summer, but higher than September. The West was the most expensive region with a median price of $507,200, followed by the Northeast ($379,100), South ($313,600), and Midwest ($259,500). Source: National Association of Realtors, 2021 U.S.
Financing a college education with the least amount of debt involves putting together a variety of resources in the most favorable way for your family. It requires planning, savings discipline, an understanding of financial aid, smart college research, and good decision making at college time. Your College Fund Your savings are the cornerstone of any
Has your business encountered and solved technological challenges in recent years? Maybe you invested in software development, re-engineered manufacturing processes, or performed laboratory testing. If so, then your business may be eligible for the federal research and development (R&D) tax credit. This credit may be available to U.S. business owners who spent money to develop
In 2020, 31% of U.S. workers with employer-sponsored health insurance had a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), up from 24% in 2015.1 These plans are also available outside the workplace through private insurers and the Health Insurance Marketplace. Although HDHP participation has grown rapidly, the most common plan — covering almost half of U.S. workers —
Contributing to a 401(k) or similar work-sponsored retirement plan is one of the easiest ways to invest for your future. Plan contributions are automatically deducted from your pay and invested in a tax-advantaged account before you receive your paycheck, which helps avoid the temptation to spend it. Nearly 9 out of 10 employees who are
The median number of years that wage and salary workers had been with their current employer was 4.1 years in January 2020. However, employee tenure tends to vary based on many factors, including the type of occupation, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tenure remains to be seen. 22.7 % Percentage of workers
Life insurance has long been recognized as a useful way to provide for your heirs and loved ones when you die. Naming your policy’s beneficiaries should be a relatively simple task. However, there are several situations that can easily lead to unintended and adverse consequences you may want to avoid. Not Naming a Beneficiary The
