March/April 2010 - FR2008-0407-0227E

Estate Planning:

Mind the details of your IRA
With tax season in full swing, now is a good time to make a contribution to a traditional IRA. This benefits you today with a potential tax deduction and tomorrow with a retirement nest egg. But make sure to avoid making small mistakes today that can turn into big problems for your IRA's beneficiaries tomorrow.

General Interest:

Don't miss these 2009 tax deductions
If you're like some people who wait until the last minute before filing federal income taxes each year, you might find the following tax deductions timely.

Money considerations when changing jobs
Gaining tax deductions available to those who are changing jobs is only one of many things to consider before you take the plunge.

Learn to avoid speed bumps when finances merge
Marriage can be the perfect union of two lives, but it can also bring an imperfect merger of separate finances. To avoid making money the reason for your first and subsequent arguments, set a few ground rules before you get married.

How to detach your ex-spouse's credit history
Nothing sticks like two-sided tape to your finger more persistently than the poor credit rating of an ex-spouse, even after you have parted ways. Take steps to build a clean record of your own.

Avoid budget bombs
Any number of unexpected expenses can blow up your budget, but you can avoid the destruction that sometimes follows when you have an emergency fund.

Insurance:

Don't guess about your family's financial needs
Calculating the right amount of life insurance today can help ensure that your family doesn't suffer undue financial hardships tomorrow.

Retirement Planning:

Stay the course with your 401(k) plan
The recent recession was unkind to many people, including those who put money away for retirement in their workplace 401(k) plans. But account losses varied and many 401(k) participants saw their accounts drop less than other investors.

Seniors:

Be prepared! Your golden years could tarnish
During the next 30 years, the number of people age 65 and older worldwide will double. While we may like the idea of increased life expectancies, understand that longer lives are sometimes accompanied by age-related difficulties, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It's best to be prepared.

Tax facts about life insurance
The biggest advantage of owning life insurance is its benefit -- its death benefit. This amount generally is not subject to federal or state income taxes. This tax-free feature can be vitally important to beneficiaries.

Small Business:

In tough times, don't sacrifice your retirement
For some small business owners, the recent recession has been particularly difficult. While cutting back expenses makes sense, a penny-wise, pound-foolish approach toward putting away money for retirement may mean putting retirement off for years. If you're a small business owner, you may have alternatives.

Making business succession work for you
Making any small business a success requires planning, hard work and, yes, luck. When your company's continuation after you depart is important, you'll have to begin taking steps early to ensure succession works for everybody involved.

Standard:

Three ways to compare mutual funds
Whether you need to choose mutual funds for your company 401(k) plan or you want to invest on your own outside the workplace, choosing the right mutual funds can be complicated.

Womens:

Seven vital financial moves for married women
Marriage needn't mean giving up financial control. Whether you have been married for 30 years or are getting married next week, there are crucial financial moves you may want to consider.

Discover the many benefits of an IRA
According to one study, 75% of workers say they or their spouses have saved for retirement. Consider contributing to either a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA to meet this important financial challenge. Fortunately, you can open and fund an IRA up until you file your taxes.