Newsletters

Fifty-six percent of American workers have saved less than $25,000 for retirement, and 46% have saved less than $10,000.¹
Source: 1) Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2011

Will you outlive your retirement income? How much liability insurance should you have? Should you add stocks to your portfolio? Are your financial expectations for the coming year realistic?

Our financial newsletters are designed to provide helpful information on a wide variety of financial topics. Simply click on one of the newsletter topics below to read the article in its entirety.

May

HOT TOPIC: American Manufacturing: Rebound or Renaissance?
During the last decade, U.S. manufacturing lost millions of jobs to foreign competition. The sector appears to be coming back strong, adding almost half a million jobs since 2010 as productivity rises. This article examines the conditions that originally caused the exodus of U.S. industrial production and those that may bode well for its future.

Investing in the Future
Due to the fiscal struggles of state governments, in-state tuition and fees at public four-year colleges and universities rose dramatically for the 2011-12 school year. The cost of private institutions also continues to increase. This article presents information on the cost of a college education and how a 529 plan may be a helpful savings vehicle.

Averaging Ups and Downs
Stock market volatility was the norm in 2011, and that can be hard on an investor’s nerves. Utilizing a dollar-cost averaging strategy may help even out your portfolio’s ups and downs, as explained in this article.

Pick Up This Split for Long-Term Retirement Income
The number of Americans aged 90 or older almost tripled from 1980 through 2010 and is projected to quadruple by 2050. As people live longer they may need to fund a longer-than-expected retirement. This article discusses how a split-annuity strategy could help provide a long-term income stream.

Designating Retirement Plan Beneficiaries
IRAs and defined-contribution plans have become an important component of personal wealth for households. Designating account beneficiaries and keeping the designations current can be a complex — but important — process to perform on a regular basis as certain life events and tax situations can necessitate a change.

Small Companies Face Costly Cybersecurity Threats
For many small businesses, the Internet is an important tool, but cybersecuity risks are growing. 40% of all targeted Internet attacks are now directed toward companies with fewer than 500 employees, and just over half of small businesses have a basic cybersecurity plan. This article provides tips to the small business owner about how to shore up their online defenses.
April

HOT TOPIC: Could High Oil and Gas Prices Derail the Recovery?
Gas prices began the year higher than normal and increased sharply. The forecast is for prices to rise to record highs by summer. But it’s not just drivers who are feeling pain at the pump. This article will explain some possible reasons why gas prices have been rising and discuss the potential implications for consumers, businesses, and the broader U.S. economy.

Tax Changes for 2012
Mandatory annual inflation adjustments generally affect federal income tax brackets, retirement plan contribution limits, and estate tax exemption levels. Here are some of the major changes that could affect readers in 2012, with a table showing 2012 income thresholds for the six federal income tax brackets.

Doing Your Heirs a Favor
Although a will and a trust specify disposition of assets, many other details of an individual’s final wishes might be explained in a letter of instructions. This article offers some topics to consider addressing in the letter to help loved ones make decisions and take care of final arrangements.

There’s Still Time to Catch Up
Worker confidence in affording a comfortable retirement fell to a record low in 2011, but investors aged 50 and older may be able to make up for lost time by maximizing contributions to retirement plans and taking advantage of catch-up contribution limits. The accompanying chart shows the potential difference in accumulation by taking advantage of catch-up contributions.

Understanding the Appeal of Share Buybacks
The amount of money devoted to corporate stock buybacks surged throughout 2010 and 2011 as large companies sought ways to spend their cash stockpiles and reward shareholders. This article looks at how corporate buybacks work, why they have become more common in the current economic climate, and what they typically mean for investors.

Preparing to Turn the Corner
What happens to a multiple-owner business when one of them chooses to retire or must leave suddenly for some other reason? Death, disability, divorce, & bankruptcy are just a few of the events that can affect one owner and threaten the future of the business. This article discusses the reasons why it may make sense for a small business to have a buy-sell agreement in place.

August

HOT TOPIC: Why Global Investors Are Worried About European Debt
European officials are working on a bailout deal to help debt-laden Greece avoid default, but some are worried a broader eurozone financial crisis may be waiting in the wings. How likely is a Greek sovereign debt default, and how could it affect European and U.S. financial markets?

Rising Popularity of Roth IRA as Retirement Vehicle
Investment in the Roth IRA has been growing dramatically. Fueling the growth of this popular investment vehicle are tax-free distributions in retirement and no mandatory withdrawals due to age. Compare the trade-offs of Roth IRAs with traditional IRAs, including eligibility limitations, annual contribution limits, and withdrawal considerations.
July

Finding a Good Time to Invest
When a prominent stock market index closes above an important threshold, many investors who have been sitting on the sidelines may see it as good time to invest, but they may have missed a significant part of the rally. Waiting for the "right" moment to invest could prove to be a costly and ineffective strategy.


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Newsletters Fifty-six percent of American workers have saved less than $25,000 for retirement, and 46% have saved less than $10,000.¹ Source: 1) Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2011 Will you outlive your retirement income? How much liability insurance should you have? Should you add stocks to your portfolio? Are your financial expectations for the coming year realistic? Our financial newsletters are designed to provide helpful information on a wide variety of financial topics. Simply click on one of the newsletter topics below to read the article in its entirety. May HOT TOPIC: American Manufacturing: Rebound or Renaissance? During the last decade, U.S. manufacturing lost millions of jobs to foreign competition. The sector appears to be coming back strong, adding almost half a million jobs since 2010 as productivity rises. This article examines the conditions that originally caused the exodus of U.S. industrial production and those that may bode well for its future. Investing in the Future Due to the fiscal struggles of state governments, in-state tuition and fees at public four-year colleges and universities rose dramatically for the 2011-12 school year. The cost of private institutions also continues to increase. This article presents information on the cost of a college education and how a 529 plan may be a helpful savings vehicle. Averaging Ups and Downs Stock market volatility was the norm in 2011, and that can be hard on an investor’s nerves. Utilizing a dollar-cost averaging strategy may help even out your portfolio’s ups and downs, as explained in this article. Pick Up This Split for Long-Term Retirement Income The number of Americans aged 90 or older almost tripled from 1980 through 2010 and is projected to quadruple by 2050. As people live longer they may need to fund a longer-than-expected retirement. This article discusses how a split-annuity strategy could help provide a long-term income stream. Designating Retirement Plan Beneficiaries IRAs and defined-contribution plans have become an important component of personal wealth for households. Designating account beneficiaries and keeping the designations current can be a complex — but important — process to perform on a regular basis as certain life events and tax situations can necessitate a change. Small Companies Face Costly Cybersecurity Threats For many small businesses, the Internet is an important tool, but cybersecuity risks are growing. 40% of all targeted Internet attacks are now directed toward companies with fewer than 500 employees, and just over half of small businesses have a basic cybersecurity plan. This article provides tips to the small business owner about how to shore up their online defenses. April HOT TOPIC: Could High Oil and Gas Prices Derail the Recovery? Gas prices began the year higher than normal and increased sharply. The forecast is for prices to rise to record highs by summer. But it’s not just drivers who are feeling pain at the pump. This article will explain some possible reasons why gas prices have been rising and discuss the potential implications for consumers, businesses, and the broader U.S. economy. Tax Changes for 2012 Mandatory annual inflation adjustments generally affect federal income tax brackets, retirement plan contribution limits, and estate tax exemption levels. Here are some of the major changes that could affect readers in 2012, with a table showing 2012 income thresholds for the six federal income tax brackets. Doing Your Heirs a Favor Although a will and a trust specify disposition of assets, many other details of an individual’s final wishes might be explained in a letter of instructions. This article offers some topics to consider addressing in the letter to help loved ones make decisions and take care of final arrangements. There’s Still Time to Catch Up Worker confidence in affording a comfortable retirement fell to a record low in 2011, but investors aged 50 and older may be able to make up for lost time by maximizing contributions to retirement plans and taking advantage of catch-up contribution limits. The accompanying chart shows the potential difference in accumulation by taking advantage of catch-up contributions. Understanding the Appeal of Share Buybacks The amount of money devoted to corporate stock buybacks surged throughout 2010 and 2011 as large companies sought ways to spend their cash stockpiles and reward shareholders. This article looks at how corporate buybacks work, why they have become more common in the current economic climate, and what they typically mean for investors. Preparing to Turn the Corner What happens to a multiple-owner business when one of them chooses to retire or must leave suddenly for some other reason? Death, disability, divorce, & bankruptcy are just a few of the events that can affect one owner and threaten the future of the business. This article discusses the reasons why it may make sense for a small business to have a buy-sell agreement in place. August HOT TOPIC: Why Global Investors Are Worried About European Debt European officials are working on a bailout deal to help debt-laden Greece avoid default, but some are worried a broader eurozone financial crisis may be waiting in the wings. How likely is a Greek sovereign debt default, and how could it affect European and U.S. financial markets? Rising Popularity of Roth IRA as Retirement Vehicle Investment in the Roth IRA has been growing dramatically. Fueling the growth of this popular investment vehicle are tax-free distributions in retirement and no mandatory withdrawals due to age. Compare the trade-offs of Roth IRAs with traditional IRAs, including eligibility limitations, annual contribution limits, and withdrawal considerations. July Finding a Good Time to Invest When a prominent stock market index closes above an important threshold, many investors who have been sitting on the sidelines may see it as good time to invest, but they may have missed a significant part of the rally. Waiting for the "right" moment to invest could prove to be a costly and ineffective strategy.
6390 Greenwich Drive, Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92122 Phone: 858-550-7090 Fax: 858-550-7099 Email: whp@whpfinancial.com Securities and investment advisory services offered through SagePoint Financial, Inc., member FINRA/ SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Certain insurance products offered through WHP Insurance Services, which is not affiliated with SagePoint Financial, Inc. or registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Additional investment advisory services offered through Wolters, Hagar & Pratt Financial Planning, Inc., a registered investment advisor not affiliated with SagePoint Financial, Inc.

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