Investment Knowledge Center

Annuities let you lock in a steady payout or even guaranteed income for life, which can feel like an easy win. But there’s a catch most people miss. While many investors focus on payout rates, annuity fees can easily reduce your returns by 2% to 3% each year. When it comes to annuities, you may… Continue reading Annuity cost breakdown: Fees, charges and how to pay less

Are annuities a good investment in today’s climate — or are they just another financial product that sounds safer than it really is? For some investors, annuities offer stability and predictable income. For others, they come with tradeoffs that may not fit their financial goals. In this guide, we’ll take a straightforward look at how… Continue reading Are annuities a good investment? Pros, cons, and alternatives

Choosing how to manage your investments is one of the most important financial decisions investors face today. The decision often comes down to robo-advisors vs. financial advisors. Robo-advisors began as a way to democratize investing for the masses. Until the early 21st century, if you wanted help managing your investments, you typically had to speak… Continue reading Robo-advisors vs. financial advisors: Which option delivers better value?

If you’ve been investing in a 401(k) plan, you’re probably used to being given a menu of investments to choose from. In the months ahead, you might see the menu become more varied. Recent changes in regulatory guidance have opened up 401(k) investments to more complex and risky types of assets. Think of the addition… Continue reading Do alternative investments belong in your 401(k)?

The 2026 tax filing season is underway, and many Americans will receive refunds that provide an opportunity to strengthen their financial position. Average refund amounts of $2,476 for the initial weeks of the 2026 tax season were up 14.1% from a year earlier, the Internal Revenue Service reported in mid-February. That’s a decent sum of… Continue reading What to do with your tax refund: Smart investment strategies for 2026

Interest rates have the potential to affect nearly every aspect of your investment portfolio, especially interest-sensitive savings vehicles such as certificates of deposit, high-yield savings and money market accounts, as well as government-backed bonds and Treasury bills. The Federal Reserve declined to initiate another rate cut in its first meeting of 2026, but there’s a… Continue reading Portfolio strategy: Diversification guide for 2026 Fed rate cuts

People often wait until the new year to get their finances in order. Once the new year hits, they create resolutions in hopes of changing behaviors to finally achieve their goals. However, if you wait until Jan. 1 to focus on your investments, you’ll miss out on valuable opportunities to boost your returns, reduce taxes,… Continue reading Essential year-end investment checklist: Optimize your financial strategy before the year ends

Changing jobs is common, especially as employees make vertical moves for better pay or more favorable working conditions. Forgetting about retirement plans from past employers is a regular occurrence as well. There are more than 31.9 million lost 401(k) retirement accounts holding an estimated $2.1 trillion in assets, according to data from Capitalize, a technology… Continue reading How to find old 401(k) from previous employer: 4-step recovery guide

When it comes to investing, I tend to prefer a balanced approach — one that blends growth potential with a solid dose of security. This has been especially true the last few years as my husband and I have moved closer and closer to early retirement. While I’m comfortable with stocks and index funds for… Continue reading Why I invested in a Gainbridge annuity

Millions of Americans receive access to retirement planning through their employer-sponsored 401(k) plans. Although a powerful tool to save for retirement, it’s easy to forget when you switch jobs or retire. Scores of 401(k) plans are forgotten by Americans, with Capitalize reporting over 29 million 401(k) accounts, worth $1.65 trillion in retirement assets, being left… Continue reading How to rollover 401(k)