With all the fun and activity of summer, it can be hard for investors to maintain their concentration. The stock market, though, has been picking up that slack for some time now. Peaking under the hood of the U.S. stock markets, we see them attaining a degree of concentration not seen for many years. This “concentration” refers to the outsized influence that a few stocks have on stock market indices, because of how the indices are put together. Fundamentally, you can think of concentration as the opposite of diversification. While an index may appear diversified on the surface, in reality it may be substantially skewed toward a handful of companies or a particular sector. So how does market concentration work? Learn more.

When considering if a Roth Conversion is right for you, it's important to evaluate your current financial situation, future income expectations, and long-term retirement goals. We encourage you to seek the guidance of a financial professional to review the complexities of this strategy. That said, here's an informative introduction to the Roth Conversion strategy — how it works, why one would consider taking advantage of it, and when it could make the most sense to be considered.

Is it ever TOO early to start saving for one’s retirement? The answer to that retirement planning question is a resounding “NO” and here's why.

While "The Few, The Proud, The Marines" is a recruiting slogan for the U.S. Marine Corps, in the stock market, the “Few and the Proud” have been the “Magnificent 7” stocks (Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Tesla) and their performance reminds one of the stampeding effects of charging elephants. Like these large pachyderms, the “Mag 7” have run roughshod over the broad stock market this year and have left most other stocks lagging far behind. Much of the excitement surrounding these companies is focused on their dominance in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) investment landscape. Learn more about our 2Q2024 market review.

As the U.S. stock market hits new highs in 2024, it begs the question, “Should I diversify some of my stock market risk into non-traditional assets like alternatives?” While the answer varies from person to person, the concept is one worth exploring for many investors.

Alternative investments are financial assets that fall outside the traditional categories of stocks, bonds, and cash. They are often used in investment allocations to diversify portfolios, hedge against risks, and seek higher returns. Learn more about the common types of alternative investments and their characteristics.

If you're a retiree, orienting your volunteer work around the things you do best could help you find new meaning and satisfaction in your hobbies, while also creating new social connections that will deepen your retirement experience. Learn more about the types of synergies that retirees can create between what they LOVE to do and what their community needs.

For a majority of Americans, a Will is likely sufficient to accomplish their simple wealth transfer needs and desires. For others with more complex wealth transfer stipulations, a Will may fall short and the use of a Trust may be necessary. Learn more about the important estate planning conversation: Will vs. Trust.

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of that committee, introduced the Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act.

Sponsors of 401(k) plans would have to permit employees as young as 18 to make contributions under the bill. However, their involvement would be restricted. Learn more about those restrictions.

The Silver Tsunami is headed ashore, as “Peak 65” is expected to usher in an average of 11,000 retirement age Americans daily through the end of 2024 — the highest ever recorded. And a lot of them plan to keep working. Pew Charitable Trusts reports that 62% of workers 65 and older are engaged in full-time employment versus 47% in 1987 — and the expansion of seniors’ participation in the job market is projected to continue. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that more than one in five older adults will be in the labor force by 2032. For organizations, this demographic shift presents a unique opportunity to leverage the wealth of experience offered by senior professionals. Read more