Capital Financial Group connect Newsletters HOT TOPIC: Revisiting the 4% Rule For years, the “4% rule” helped retirees make their savings last, but now a more aggressive withdrawal strategy might be the new norm. HOT TOPIC: High-Frequency Indicators: Where to Look for Signs of Recovery This article discusses various high-frequency indicators economists use to monitor the pandemic’s impact and the economic recovery’s progress. HOT TOPIC: High-Frequency Indicators: Where to Look for Signs of Recovery This article discusses various high-frequency indicators economists use to monitor the pandemic’s impact and the economic recovery’s progress. HOT TOPIC: Rising Inflation: Where Will It Go from Here? Read about the causes of the recent inflationary trend. Does it represent a short-term phase or the start of a longer-term acceleration in prices? HOT TOPIC: Rising Inflation: Where Will It Go from Here? Read about the causes of the recent inflationary trend. Does it represent a short-term phase or the start of a longer-term acceleration in prices? HOT TOPIC: Shortages and Bottlenecks Expose Weak Links in U.S. Supply Chains As a consumer, have you noticed shortages? Here are some of the reasons behind supply-chain problems and how they might impact the economy. HOT TOPIC: Hostage Data: Ransomware and Protecting Your Digital Information This article provides an overview of high-profile ransomware attacks and offers tips to help consumers protect their own data. HOT TOPIC: Antitrust Crackdown Aims to Increase Competition See how an executive order to curb excessive consolidation of industry might affect consumers, small businesses, investors, and the economy. Don’t Let Debt Derail Your Retirement This article looks at high debt levels among older Americans and why it’s important to analyze and address debt before retirement. A Financial Wellness Plan Can Help Pave the Road to Retirement This article outlines four elements of financial well-being and offers suggestions to strengthen financial wellness. A Financial Wellness Plan Can Help Pave the Road to Retirement This article outlines four elements of financial well-being and offers suggestions to strengthen financial wellness. Considerations When Making Gifts to Children This article provides an overview of tax provisions and other issues to consider when making significant gifts to children or grandchildren. New Changes to College Financial Aid and Education Tax Benefits The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, included several provisions affecting financial aid and education. Learn more. Real Estate for Income and Diversification Are you familiar with REITs and why they can help diversify a portfolio? Read this article to learn more. Real Estate for Income and Diversification Are you familiar with REITs and why they can help diversify a portfolio? Read this article to learn more. Sequence Risk: Preparing to Retire in a Down Market This article offers a strategy that may help address sequence risk — the danger of poor investment performance at the outset of retirement. Should You Pay Off Student Loans Early or Save More for Retirement? Wondering whether you should pay off student loan debt today or save for the future? Here are some considerations to help make the decision. Five Tips to Regain Your Retirement Savings Focus in 2021 This article presents five steps that could help focus and enhance a retirement savings strategy in 2021. Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2021 IRS cost-of-living adjustments affect retirement plan contribution limits and certain tax considerations. Explore these 2021 adjustments. Are Value Stocks Poised for a Comeback? Do you know the differences between growth and value stocks? Find out why value stocks may hold appeal during the economic recovery. Money Market Funds in a Low Rate Environment Did you know there still may be reasons to hold money market mutual funds despite low yields? Read this article to find out more. Putting Your Nest Egg in Three Baskets Find out how understanding sequence-of-returns risk could help you develop a three-prong distribution strategy for retirement. Watch Out for These Financial Pitfalls in the New Year Financial opportunities and potential pitfalls can appear at any time. Here are common money mistakes to avoid at various stages of life. Four Things Investors Should Know About Stock Splits If you’ve wondered what stock splits are and what effect they might have on your investment portfolio, this article covers the basics. Four Things Investors Should Know About Stock Splits If you’ve wondered what stock splits are and what effect they might have on your investment portfolio, this article covers the basics. Five Tips to Follow When Applying for a Mortgage Historically low interest rates have driven record homebuying. This article provides some ideas to consider when applying for a mortgage. Five Tips to Follow When Applying for a Mortgage Historically low interest rates have driven record homebuying. This article provides some ideas to consider when applying for a mortgage. How Well Do You Understand Retirement Plan Rules? From IRAs to 401(k)s, qualified retirement plans can be complex. This short quiz tests readers’ knowledge of a few of the finer points. A Steady Strategy Discover how dollar-cost averaging may help alleviate some market concerns by making regular investments regardless of market movements. International Investing: Opportunity Overseas? Some analysts believe foreign stocks may be poised for a comeback. Read about opportunities and risks involved with international stocks. Concerned About Inflation? Consider TIPS Do you understand how Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities can help mitigate inflation risk? This article provides an overview. Pension or Lump Sum: Which Should You Choose? Do you know the key factors to consider if offered an option to take a lump sum in lieu of a pension? Read this article to find out. Is the Medicare Donut Hole Really Closed? This article explains the four stages of Part D prescription drug coverage and how prices can vary in the coverage gap. Social Security Spousal Benefits This article offers an overview of spousal benefits, which could make a big difference in funding retirement for a married couple. Social Security Spousal Benefits This article offers an overview of spousal benefits, which could make a big difference in funding retirement for a married couple. Home Sweet Home Equity Owning a home or having substantial equity may offer financial benefits in retirement. Discover five ways to use or increase home equity. New Fed Policy Suggests Low Rates for the Long Term The Fed now seeks to control inflation through the benchmark federal funds rate. Find out what this means for investors and consumers. Full House: Adult Children Coming Home If your adult children have returned to your once-empty nest, these tips might help promote a peaceful and productive living situation. Prepare Your Finances for the Next Emergency The pandemic has underscored the importance of a well-stocked emergency fund. This article offers tips for building up a cash reserve. All-in-One Funds: Targeting Time or Risk? This article discusses target-date funds and lifestyle funds, with the more common of the two based on time horizon rather than risk. All-in-One Funds: Targeting Time or Risk? This article discusses target-date funds and lifestyle funds, with the more common of the two based on time horizon rather than risk. Working While Receiving Social Security Benefits Do you understand the Social Security retirement earnings test and how it may affect your current and future Social Security benefits? Working While Receiving Social Security Benefits Do you understand the Social Security retirement earnings test and how it may affect your current and future Social Security benefits? Gift vs. Inheritance: Consider the Tax Difference When deciding whether to gift assets now or transfer them to heirs at death, you need to understand step-up in basis and tax consequences. Income Investors May Find Closed-End Funds on Sale Do you know the differences between open-end and closed-end funds? This article compares the two. When You Can’t Speak for Yourself Discover how a living will and durable powers of attorney for health care and finances can help ensure your wishes are carried out. Asset Protection: Make Sure Your Umbrella Is Big Enough While standard home and auto insurance may cover personal liability, a personal umbrella policy can help add an extra layer of protection. Portfolios Get Personal: Growing Interest in Socially Responsible Investing This article discusses socially responsible investments that may enable the pursuit of financial returns and make a positive global impact. Portfolios Get Personal: Growing Interest in Socially Responsible Investing This article discusses socially responsible investments that may enable the pursuit of financial returns and make a positive global impact. Corporate Debt: Are Juicier Yields Worth the Extra Risk? This article discusses corporate credit ratings and some differences between investment-grade and speculative-grade bonds. Stock Market Risks in the Spotlight Find out how inflation and interest-rate fears, regulatory or legislative action, and other factors could influence stock prices in 2021. Company Stock and Your Retirement Strategy This article addresses specific risks and tax implications when acquiring company stock inside or outside of a workplace retirement plan. Crisis Averted? Financial Help for Struggling Renters and Landlords Read about programs that help both landlords and tenants by providing direct housing assistance for eligible renters. Your Business: New Rules for Writing Off Restaurant Meals The December 2020 stimulus bill lets businesses deduct the full cost of restaurant meals in tax years 2021 and 2022. Get the details. Bankruptcy Changes Throw a Lifeline to Sinking Small Businesses Many requirements that made it difficult and expensive for small businesses to reorganize using Chapter 11 have been loosened. Learn more. Your Business: Minimum-Wage Laws in the Spotlight As more states increase the minimum wage, small businesses may start feeling the economic impact. Read this article for some coping tips. Your Business: Minimum-Wage Laws in the Spotlight As more states increase the minimum wage, small businesses may start feeling the economic impact. Read this article for some coping tips. Is Your Home Office Also a Tax Shelter? This article explains which taxpayers are eligible for the home office deduction and describes the two methods used to calculate it. Big Data for Smaller Players Read how small businesses use software services to help streamline operations, understand customers, optimize websites, and find new markets. Your Business: Could You Benefit from a Roth Conversion in 2020? This article focuses on the potential short- and long-term tax ramifications of a Roth IRA conversion. Take Advantage of Deductions for Business Investments A look at bonus depreciation and Section 179, plus CARES Act changes that may benefit companies that reconfigured spaces for safety reasons. Your Business: Reasons to Keep Personal and Business Finances Separate Find out why it’s important to draw a line between business and personal finances, especially for credit, tax, and personal asset purposes. Your Business: Reasons to Keep Personal and Business Finances Separate Find out why it’s important to draw a line between business and personal finances, especially for credit, tax, and personal asset purposes. California Insurance License #: 0E64585 (Powell), 0L27625 (McKenna) Charles Altizer, James Blassingham, James Denny, Matthew McKenna, & Stephen Powell has earned the Retirement Planning Specialist (RPS) title. The Retirement Planning Specialist title is awarded by Equitable Advisors, based upon the Financial Professional's (FP) receipt of a Certificate in Retirement Planning from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. In a collaboration between the Wharton School and Equitable Advisors' affiliated life insurance carrier, coursework for the certificate was developed exclusively for Equitable Advisors FPs, and the title may be used only by FPs who have completed the required coursework and maintain the title through ongoing continuing education requirements. To verify that an FP has earned and holds the title in good standing, contact us at atretirement@equitable.com. Complaints about an Equitable Advisors FP should be directed to customer.relations@equitable.com. Securities offered through Equitable Advisors, LLC (NY,NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA/SIPC (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & TN). Investment advisory products and services offered through Equitable Advisors, LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. Annuity and insurance products offered through Equitable Network, LLC, which conducts business in CA as Equitable Network Insurance Agency of California, LLC, in UT as Equitable Network Insurance Agency of Utah, LLC, and in PR as Equitable Network of Puerto Rico, Inc. Equitable Advisors and its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors regarding your particular circumstances. Individuals may transact business, which includes offering products and services and/or responding to inquiries, only in state(s) in which they are properly registered and/or licensed. The information in this web site is not investment or securities advice and does not constitute an offer. Capital Financial Group is not a registered investment advisor and is not owned or operated by Equitable Advisors or Equitable Network. For more information about Equitable Advisors, LLC you may visit equitable.com/crs to review the firm’s Relationship Summary for Retail Investors and General Conflicts of Interest Disclosure. Equitable Advisors and Equitable Network are brand names for Equitable Advisors, LLC and Equitable Network, LLC, respectively. Link to equitable.com Privacy Policy Site Map Back To Top Check the background of this financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck