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The financial world is a complex one to navigate. New investment products, global investing opportunities, employee-driven 401(k)s — these (and many more) collectively underscore the value of seeking professional financial advice...

Retirement is inevitable, but knowing exactly when to do so is often unclear. No matter when you actually begin your retirement, you’ll benefit from planning your post-work life as early as possible. According to Gallup, the...

Thinking of retiring early? Here’s what you need to know When you get to a certain age, you may find yourself daydreaming about retiring early, or at least before the “traditional” age of 65. It’s only...

LPL Research Outlook 2022: Passing the Baton is designed to help you navigate the risks and opportunities over the rest of 2021 and beyond.

Few words can dampen the cheer and optimism of a New Year like taxes. Let’s face it, the time for holidays, time off, and family should be celebratory, not burdensome. But if you approach taxes with an eye toward reducing your...

The pandemic caused many people to work from home, and some companies do not plan to return to office-based work until this summer, if ever. While you may view this as a mixed blessing, you can capitalize on the situation to save money...

The Roth 401(k) has become an attractive investment account, with investors attracted to their qualified tax-free withdrawals and contributions which receive after-tax treatment. But like other 401(k) plans, the Roth 401(k) carries...

No matter whether your divorce is amicable or contentious, it can have a profound impact on your finances. There are myriad rules and regulations to consider; we outline some of the most significant and how they could impact your...

Buying low or selling high is a prudent strategy for most investors, an effort to maximize returns. But buying lowest or selling highest is an elusive strategy, one that is difficult to execute and that may lead to lower returns and...

Home ownership has several advantages over renting, including lower monthly payments, deductible mortgage interest, and the accumulation of equity. But there is a definite price to pay for these benefits, including the expenses we...

LPL Financial Research Midyear Outlook 2021: Picking Up Speed LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2021: Picking Up Speed is designed to help you navigate the risks and opportunities over the rest of 2021 and beyond. While the speed can be...

There’s a simple word that has profound implications for savings and investing: compounding. Like a snowball that grows as it rolls down a hill, compounding provides the potential for your money to grow, reinvesting your...

When it comes to financial stability, people tend to focus on paying off debt and saving for retirement. In reality, many other financial goals beckon to individuals during their lifetime. Because of this, it’s important to look...

Many prospective investors eventually shy away from a commitment when they hear the dreaded “R” word: risk. By itself, risk is innocuous, carrying no special meaning or predictive result. But the idea that investing...

Only one-in-four Americans (27%) feel very confident that they will have enough money to live comfortably when they retire, according to the 2020 Retirement Confidence Survey Summary Report.⁠1 While the number is up slightly from the...

There’s a good reason so many athletes, entertainers and business people who made seven figures and higher suddenly find themselves filing for bankruptcy. Money mismanagement can eat through even the biggest bankrolls. Here are...

If you’re facing unemployment or concerned about the possibility of upcoming layoffs, there are some small, proactive steps you can take now to help make this difficult time more manageable. Build Your Network. It’s...

LPL Research Outlook 2021: Powering Forward is designed to help you navigate a year in whicheconomic conditions may continue to improve dramatically. Like the markets, Outlook 2021 looksahead. 2021 will bring advances to further limit...

Medicare contains four components: Parts A, B, C, and D. Part A is hospital insurance designed to cover inpatient care in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. Part B helps to cover physician services, outpatient care, preventive...

The Roth IRA presents a potentially attractive alternative to the traditional IRA. That's because a Roth IRA may allow you to avoid future taxation of any earnings on your retirement funds by making nondeductible contributions now....

LPL Financial Research is looking ahead for new ways to face current challenges and prepare for better times. Use our Midyear Outlook 2020 to chart a path to eventual economic and market recovery. Plus, learn how stocks may predict the...

Actively managing your debt is an important step, and your student debt may be one of the biggest financial obligations you have. There are many strategies that could help you manage student loans efficiently. Here is a checklist....

Insurance is an important element of any sound financial plan. Different types of insurance protect you and your loved ones in different ways against the cost of accidents, illness, disability, and death. What Are Your Insurance Needs?...

Today's retirees have a host of health care options to choose from. But costs and coverage can vary significantly. Medicare is available to virtually every citizen and legal resident age 65 or over who has worked and paid taxes in the...

Economic Blog The coronavirus outbreak—or Covid-19 —has caused significant market volatility over the past week. Our approach as always is to focus on economic fundamentals first, but the uncertainty around the scope of the...

"Market timing" is the strategy of trying to predict when stock prices will rise and fall and attempting to buy low and sell high. While this seems to make sense in theory, it's extremely difficult to pull off successfully. Trying to...

A Strategic Saving Plan is the Key to Victory Super Bowl LIV, the 54th Super Bowl, will decide the National Football League champion for this current season. The game is scheduled to be played on February 2, 2020, at Hard Rock Stadium...

Does Your Portfolio Reflect Your Risk?

John Fawaz, CFP®, ChFC®

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

When it comes to investing, many people associate risk with losing money. But investing entails different types of risk. Understanding each type -- and the potential return associated with your retirement portfolio -- can help you...

Outlook 2020: Bringing Markets Into Focus

John Fawaz, CFP®, ChFC®

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Hindsight is 20/20, but finding clarity in future uncertainty can be fuzzy. AT LPL RESEARCH, as we look forward to the year 2020 and a new decade, some key trends and market signals will be important to watch, including progress on U.S...

“An object in motion tends to remain in motion along a straight line unless acted upon by an outside force.” Sir Isaac Newton What a year it has been for the bulls. The S&P 500 Index recently made four more new highs, and...

Budgeting: Every Penny Counts!

Gail Hatfield

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Budgeting: Every Penny Counts! Do you know where every penny of your paycheck goes? If not, I bet you find yourself wondering where all your money went toward the end of the month. If this is you, you may want to consider budgeting....

Midyear Outlook 2019

John Fawaz, CFP®, ChFC®

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

LPL Research Outlook 2019: FUNDAMENTAL: How to Focus on What Really Matters in the Markets is filled with investment insights and market guidance for the year ahead. LPL Financial Research believes that even as investors face...

We hope summer is off to a good start with everyone now that school is out and warm weather is finally here. We are kicking off the start of summer with the completion of our redesigned website. This took longer than expected, but it...

Financial Self Defense

John Fawaz, CFP®, ChFC®

Monday, June 10, 2019

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future...

Finding Financial Independence

John Fawaz

Monday, April 8, 2019

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.

Tip: How Much? Check your Social Security earnings and see an estimate of your benefits on the website, www.ssa.gov. Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how...