Blogs

Despite all the budgeting and cash flow tracking apps available, many people still struggle to manage their spending habits on a daily basis. What if there was a simple blueprint you could follow that could help you manage the way you spend your money and hold yourself accountable? The 70/20/10 rule of thumb helps provide a framework for managing your finances, limiting your spending, and assessing any debt that you plan to take on. According to the 70/20/10 rule, you should spend: 70% of your after-tax income on living expenses, such as food, childcare, insurance, discretionary expenses, and...

If you spend any time online, you’ve probably been the target of a phishing attack. This is when a scammer pretends to be from a reputable company to get you to reveal personal information they can use for their own gain. They do this through a number of communication mediums, including emails, website pop-ups, text messages and even mobile apps. Here are some tips to help you spot the most common phishing scams and take the necessary steps to avoid trouble. Common Email Phishing Scams Email phishing scams take on the appearance of a legitimate email. They may even appear to be from a company...

Just like with a car, it’s a good idea to perform some annual maintenance on your retirement plan. Here’s a five-point inspection guide to help you continue to get good mileage out of your plan and ensure it stays reliable on your trip to retirement. 1. Review Your Retirement Saving Goals It’s challenging to predict your retirement needs, particularly if you’re in your 20s or 30s. But financial planners generally recommend replacing about 75% of preretirement income. Even if your retirement is decades away, you should use a retirement calculator at least once a year to estimate whether you’re...

The Nuts & Bolts of Your Investment Line-Up View Full Webinar Presentation When it comes to finances, you can’t fake it till you make it. Understanding the principles of investing, as well as how they work together, can help set you up for success to reach your financial goals, even if you’re just getting started. A workplace retirement plan (like a 401(k)) is a great place to begin an investing strategy. By investing for retirement through your employer-sponsored plan, you are helping to manage a critically important financial risk: the chance you will outlive your money. Choosing to...

The Department of Labor (DOL) released guidance in January 2021 that will help plan sponsors keep track of participants. Finding former employees who still have plan balances but no longer work for the company can be challenging. And losing track of them may be a fiduciary issue because of the “exclusive benefit” rule set down in ERISA. It requires that plans diligently seek to distribute assets, even to missing or unresponsive participants. Best Practices for Pension Plans is one of a set of three related publications released by the DOL on January 12, 2021. It provides information to help...