401(k) Day Helps Workers Understand Their Retirement Plan

by Julie Long | Sep 3, 2026 | 401k, 401K Planning, Financial Planning, General, Retirement

  Each year following Labor Day, the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) observes 401(k) Day to remind workers of the benefits of saving and investing through a 401(k) plan and to provide employers with related educational resources. This year marks the 30th...

Making It Make Sense: The Roth 5-Year Rule

by Julie Long | Aug 27, 2026 | 401k, Financial Planning, General, Retirement, Roth, Roth IRA, Tax Planning

  The Roth five-year rule states that a distribution from a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) is tax and penalty free only if the account has been held for five years and a qualifying event has occurred. Qualifying events include reaching age 59½, becoming disabled, and...

Women and Estate Planning Basics

by Julie Long | Aug 6, 2026 | Estate, Estate Planning, General, Investment, Retirement, Trusts, Wills

When it comes to estate planning, women have unique concerns. The fact is that women live an average of 5.3 years longer than men.* That’s important because it means there’s a greater chance that you need your assets to last for a longer period of time and...

Is It Time to Declare Your Financial Independence?

by Julie Long | Jun 18, 2026 | Financial Planning, General, Investment, Retirement, Retirement Planning, Retirement Savings, Retirement Strategy

No matter how much money you have or which life stage you’re in, becoming financially independent starts with a dream. Maybe you want to finally pay off the mountain of debt you’ve accumulated or stop relying on someone else for financial support. Or...

Investing as a Couple: Getting to Yes

by Julie Long | Jun 11, 2026 | Financial Planning, General, Investment, Investment Management, Retirement, Retirement Planning

  In a perfect world, both halves of a couple share the same investment goals and agree on the best way to try to reach them. It doesn’t always work that way, though; disagreements about money are often a source of friction between couples. You may be risk...

What are catch-up contributions?

by Julie Long | Jun 5, 2026 | 401K Planning, General, Investment, IRA Contributions, Retirement, Retirement Savings, Retirement Strategy

If you are 50 or older, or you will reach age 50 by the end of the year, you may be able to make contributions to your IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan above the normal contribution limit. Catch-up contributions are designed to help you make up any retirement...