Patrick Villanova

  Catch-up contributions allow people age 50 and older to save extra money in their retirement accounts. These additional savings are currently capped at $7,500 per year, but some workers will soon… Read more

An annual income of $250,000 won’t put you in the top 1% of earners, but it will get you close to it. That’s because only 7% of households in the United States earn $250,000 per year1. How far that… Read more

People with health savings accounts (HSAs) got some good news this week when the IRS rolled out the largest contribution limit increases in history. In 2024, an individual with self-only coverage can… Read more

The ongoing costs of child-rearing can be hard to size up – and digest. The average cost to raise a child in the U.S. is $20,813 annually. By understanding what to expect to pay for a child’s needs,… Read more

College graduates are under immense pressure to land a job right out of college, especially during economic downturns, when the job market may be less stable. However, it’s not just the job itself… Read more

Gone are the days of series I savings bonds paying almost 7% in interest. The U.S. Treasury announced Friday that the inflation-protected bonds would start paying investors 4.3% on May 1, down from… Read more

There’s a new way to add a lifetime income stream to your retirement plan. State Street, the world’s fourth-largest asset manager, is joining Annexus Retirement Solutions and Global Trust Company to… Read more

When inflation surges and cash loses its purchasing power, retirees’ hard-earned savings suddenly don’t go as far as they expected. Inflation may also lead to widespread salary increases, but… Read more

A hypothetical stock portfolio has taken hands-off investing to a whole new level. Jeffrey Ptak, a chartered financial analyst (CFA) for Morningstar, recently devised a passive investment portfolio… Read more

A financial windfall like an inheritance or salary bonus can be a wonderful opportunity for investing. But what’s the best way to invest your newfound wealth: all at once or little by little? New… Read more

When interest rates were low and stocks were on a tear, the demand for American homes pushed prices to unprecedented heights1. Down payments have also risen, but the median down payment of 14% is… Read more

Many retail investors are interested in index strategies but lack an understanding of how they work, according to a recent survey. In fact, many retail investors say they want more information on… Read more

If you’re looking for ways to generate more retirement income, now may be the perfect time to consider an annuity. Payout rates for guaranteed lifetime annuities are currently at their highest levels… Read more

As the Federal Reserve has aggressively raised interest rates over the last year to fight inflation, shorter-duration bonds have offered higher yields than their longer-duration counterparts. Read more

The middle class has long been considered the backbone of the American economy. But the American middle class is shrinking. The percentage of adults living in middle-income households in the United… Read more

Deciding which accounts you’ll withdraw money from – and when you’ll take it – is an important decision in retirement. However, you may want to consider preserving assets held in a taxable brokerage… Read more

After months of job growth and tight labor conditions, the latest employment data suggests the U.S. economy may finally be slowing down. Read more

With the April 18 tax deadline looming, Americans must choose between itemizing deductions or taking the standard deduction to reduce their tax obligations and pocket as much money as possible. Since… Read more

Fixed incomes can’t go as far for retirees with the current pressures from high inflation and a volatile stock market. For some, relocating to a cheaper or more tax-friendly part of the country may… Read more

When financial markets are falling fast, risk-averse investors may be tempted to cut and run. But cashing out your investments when markets are falling often means locking in investment losses. And… Read more

The SECURE 2.0 Act ushered in a number of consequential changes designed to bolster the American retirement system, including an updated timeline for required minimum distributions (RMDs) and new… Read more

Down markets can present a difficult decision for new retirees. On one hand, withdrawing money from the market during a downturn can lock in investment losses, wreaking havoc on the longevity of… Read more