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For workers without a retirement plan at work, the Trump IRA executive order could be the first step toward building long-term savings.
Retirement Planning

Trump IRA Accounts: How Much Americans Without 401(k)s Could Save

On April 30, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at closing the retirement-savings gap for those without 401(k) plans through the creation of TrumpIRA.gov. The federal platform is designed to connect uncovered workers with low-cost individual retirement accounts and pair those accounts with the Saver’s Match, created under SECURE 2.0. While the Saver’s… read more…

Couple discussing their financial situation.
Cost of Living & Taxes

Where Americans Are Struggling — and Thriving

Many Americans are feeling financial stress — a majority (57%) now say their financial situation is in only fair or poor shape, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. But that pressure is not spread evenly. In some states, residents may be contending with a tougher mix of high living costs, weaker incomes, and… read more…

Compliance & Legal

Do Financial Advisors Need Annuity Suitability Training?

Annuities may prove a valuable addition to a client’s portfolio if they’re interested in guaranteed income for retirement. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) requires insurers and agents who recommend annuities to consumers to ensure that they’re aligned with client needs. Annuity suitability training, or equivalent best interest training, is required in every state… read more…

Client Acquisition

How Advisors Expand Their Business Through Centers of Influence

Centers of influence can help you grow your business if you’re making professional connections that lead to more referrals. Centers of influence marketing is something 62% of advisors rely on for referral generation, according to a 2024 Kitces report on how financial planners market their services. If you’re not utilizing this strategy yet, you may… read more…

Editor's Picks

A couple determining whether they need a CFA vs. CFP®.
Certifications & Licenses

CFA vs. CFP®: Which Do You Need?

Chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified financial planner (CFP) are common certifications for individuals working in finance, namely financial advisors. These are designed to tell a client (or employer) that the holder has received education in certain types of financial… read more…

Clients meeting with an advisor from a wealth management firm.
Brokerage

6 Tips for Choosing a Wealth Management Firm

Wealth management firms are all different, with their own specializations and services. As a result, the process for choosing a wealth manager is a very personal one. Wealth managers work closely together with their clients to identify financial goals and… read more…

A fee-only financial planner doesn't earn commissions for recommending certain products.
Advisor Fees & Costs

What Is a Fee-Only Financial Planner?

If a financial planner, financial advisor or another type of financial professional is fee-only, that means they receive compensation solely from the fees clients pay for their services. They do not earn commissions for recommending certain products. A fee-only structure… read more…

Investment Property
Real Estate Investing

Why First Homes Could Be Investment Properties

If you’re young and looking to purchase a new home to live in, you may want to consider turning it into an investment property. While most people wait until after they’ve bought their first or second home to begin investing in… read more…

Data Articles and Studies

Couple discussing their financial situation.
Cost of Living & Taxes

Where Americans Are Struggling — and Thriving

Many Americans are feeling financial stress — a majority (57%) now say their financial situation is in only fair or poor shape, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. But that pressure is not spread evenly. In some states, residents may be contending with a tougher mix of high living costs, weaker incomes, and… read more…

Elderly man holding a credit card by his laptop.
Quality of Life

Where Seniors Are Targeted by Scams — 2026 Study

Millions of older Americans are targeted by financial scams each year. One analysis published by the U.S. Department of the Treasury found $27 billion in suspected elder financial exploitation in just a 12-month period. As digital banking, payments and communication become more common, scammers have more ways to reach victims and impersonate trusted institutions. Phishing… read more…

Nurse doing blood pressure monitoring.
Income

Where It Pays to Be in Nursing — 2026 Study

Nursing is a calling, but it’s also a paycheck, and location can have a major impact on that paycheck’s true value. While demand for nurses exists across the U.S., compensation does not factor evenly from state to state. After accounting for differences in local costs, some states offer nurses materially stronger earning power than others,… read more…

SmartAsset: Where High Gas Prices Will Most Affect Individuals
Cost of Living & Taxes

The Gas Price Burden — Where Gas Prices Hit Hardest

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in California has topped $6 per gallon. However, while gas prices are posted by the gallon, they’re felt by the paycheck, and a tank of gas does not hit every household budget the same way. The same fill-up can be a minor errand in one area and a… read more…

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