I’m 40 With 25 Years to Retire. Ignoring My 401(k) Match Could Cost Me Almost $165,000.
Skipping a 401(k) match at age 40 could cost you more than the amount your employer would have contributed. You also give up potential investment growth on that money during the next 25 years. Missed contributions and earnings can add up to a substantial gap in your retirement savings. How Much Employer Money You Could… read more…
Ask an Advisor: Can I Open a Roth IRA and Still Max Out My SEP IRA?
I am the president (and only employee) of my LLC. I currently have a SEP IRA, and I contribute the maximum amount annually. Would it be advantageous to also have a Roth IRA that I contribute to as well? What if I could not contribute the maximum amounts to the SEP and the Roth, should… read more…
Social Security at 62 vs. 65: What Is the Break Even Point?
Claiming Social Security at 62 gives you three extra years of payments, but each monthly check is permanently smaller than it would be if you had waited until 65. Delaying benefits means giving up that early income in exchange for a larger monthly payment later. The break-even point shows when those larger checks catch up… read more…
U.S. Bonds Sell-Off: What Falling Bond Prices Tell Investors
A U.S. bond sell-off occurs when selling pressure pushes bond prices lower and yields higher. These moves can reflect changing expectations for interest rates, inflation, and economic growth. They can also affect borrowing costs, existing bond holdings, and potential opportunities for investors purchasing newly issued bonds. A financial advisor can help you evaluate how changing… read more…
Editor's Picks
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…
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…
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…
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
How Much Do You Need to Earn to Be in the Top 1% in Your State in 2026?
Fewer than two million American households rank among the top 1% of earners. When examined by state, the income needed to join this group varies dramatically. In some places, households can enter the top 1% at income levels that fall well below the threshold elsewhere, reflecting an uneven landscape of wages and wealth. SmartAsset analyzed… read more…
Where AI Could Reshape the Most Jobs — 2026 Study
SmartAsset used the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to calculate the percent of each state’s workforce employed in 26 positions classified at the highest risk of potential AI disruption according to June 2026 research by the Virginia Economic Information and Analytics Division. The results show where potential AI-related job disruption is most concentrated across the United States.
Staying Home to Raise the Family? Here’s What the Working Spouse Needs to Earn – 2026 Study
Raising a child now costs more than $40,000 per year in some U.S. cities, forcing many families to look for ways to manage the rising costs of parenthood. One major decision is whether both parents will remain in the workforce or one will step away to provide care at home. Because that choice reshapes both… read more…
The Labor Day Gas Price Burden
With Labor Day weekend approaching, millions of Americans are preparing for one last major road trip of the summer. Gas prices have eased from their annual highs, but drivers are not feeling the savings equally. Prices at the pump vary considerably from state to state, as does the share of household income required to fill… read more…
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