Ben Geier is an experienced financial writer currently serving as a retirement and investing expert at SmartAsset. His work has appeared on Fortune, Mic.com and CNNMoney. Ben is a graduate of Northwestern University and a part-time student at the City University of New York Graduate Center. He is a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing and a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®). When he isn’t helping people understand their finances, Ben likes watching hockey, listening to music and experimenting in the kitchen. Originally from Alexandria, VA, he now lives in Brooklyn with his wife.
President Joe Biden has championed a substantial financial proposal in the latter half of his term: increasing taxes on businesses engaging in stock buybacks. This initiative aims to redirect corporate funds toward business expansion and job creation, instead of primarily benefiting executives who typically reap the rewards of such programs. However, despite its intended benefits, the proposal has encountered noteworthy resistance, even from traditionally supportive voices within the Democratic camp. For help managing your own financial portfolio, consider working with a financial advisor. Read more
While no one is immune to financial hardships, new research from financial services firm Edward Jones suggests that perhaps those in the millennial generation are particularly vulnerable. In a survey of financial advisors, 43% of the experts polled said that those in the generation born between the early 80s and the mid 90s were the most susceptible to financial issues. Gen Z came next, followed by Gen X and the baby boomers. Still, there are steps you can take to prepare for potential financial issues — even if you’re old enough to remember watching Spice Girls videos on MTV, but not quite old enough to remember the Challenger Disaster. No matter when you were born, a financial advisor can help you set up a plan to be ready for any financial hardship that might come your way. Get connected with vetted advisors using SmartAsset’s free financial advisor matching service. Read more
It’s no secret at this point — inflation continues to be a big issue for American consumers. The inflation rate year-over-year for March 2023 was 5% — and this is actually a bit of a dip, with inflation rates for the previous year going as high as 9.1%. This is understandably difficult for many people, as their wages may not be going up, meaning their purchasing power is going down. Many also have concerns about how inflation will impact the market, and by proxy their portfolios. New analysis from Morningstar looks at exactly how inflation will impact Americans’ portfolios, looking at two key historical lessons. For more help with making sure your portfolio can stand up to inflation, consider working with a financial advisor. Read more
An individual retirement account (IRA) is a very popular way to save for retirement — especially if you don’t have access to a workplace retirement account like a 401(k). While there are several… Read more
Finding an online brokerage firm to use for your personal investment can be intimidating. There are many options out there, and it isn’t all about picking the option with the most bells and whistles … Read more
While other investment and savings vehicles may get higher returns, few are as reliable as the certificate of deposit. CDs are traditionally safe, solid investments. Let’s take a look at common ways… Read more
As seems to happen every couple of years at this point, Capital Hill is abuzz with discussions of whether the U.S. will default on its debt. In fact, if the debt ceiling isn’t raised this summer —… Read more
When leaving a job, there are a lot of things you have to remember to do when you leave – clean out your desk, say goodbye to your coworkers and pack up your secret stash of candy, for instance.… Read more
Dividend stocks are the primary building blocks of income portfolios – that is, investment portfolios that aim to generate cash flow instead of simply growing in value. Picking which dividend stocks… Read more
Saving for retirement is a key part of financial planning for most people. Unless you have a vast inheritance coming your way or you’re OK working until your very last day, you’ll need to start… Read more
A volatile market is worrisome for many Americans, including — and maybe especially — those saving for retirement. Most retirement savers aren’t looking to make the huge gains professional investors… Read more
Buying a home is always nerve-racking, but those looking purchase right now have even more reasons to fret: the Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates steadily for more than a year, meaning… Read more
In recent years, high-dividend stocks have become especially popular among investors looking for income in their portfolios. A new article from asset management firm AllianceBernstein, though, posits… Read more
Retirement planning has many elements, but there are two questions that must be answered before anything else can be addressed: What age do you plan on retiring? And, how much money do you need saved… Read more
Let’s face it: the past few years have been pretty scary for investors. From the pandemic to the bear market and inflation, it seems like most people aren’t as concerned with making huge gains as… Read more
Of all the choices an investor has to make, asset allocation could be the most important. Deciding how to split up the money you invest among different asset classes requires clarity of purpose and… Read more
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, commonly known as Dodd-Frank, was passed in 2010 in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The Obama-era law aimed to prevent another… Read more
While social issues have dominated news coverage recently, one of the most contentious and important issues in Washington never changes — tax policy. One of former President Donald Trump’s biggest… Read more
If you’re starting a new job, there’s a good chance you’re going to have the option to join an employer-sponsored retirement plan, and it’ll probably be one of two types of plans: a 403(b) or a 401(k… Read more
Saving for retirement is one of the most important financial steps you can take. If you don’t, you could end up entering what should be your golden years struggling to make ends meet. One of the most… Read more
There is no Florida estate tax, though you may still be subject to the federal estate tax. It’s one of 38 states in the country that doesn’t levy a tax on estates, regardless of size. If you’re… Read more
An individual retirement account, more commonly referred to as an IRA, is a good place to save for your retirement. Once you reach a certain age, though, you’ll have to start taking a minimum amount… Read more
Annuities are a popular option for people planning for retirement, but there are many different types of annuities that you can choose from. One popular option is an indexed annuity, a hybrid type of… Read more
When he was running for president, Joe Biden was very clear that he was not Bernie Sanders — he wasn’t a socialist, and he didn’t believe the American economy and political system did not need to be… Read more
In the world of television commentators, few inspire more venom among certain portions of the internet as CNBC’s Jim Cramer. He was harshly criticized in the aftermath of the 2009 credit crisis, and… Read more
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