Quarterly Newsletter
Fall 2009
What to Do Now to Save on Taxes
There are plenty of steps you can take now to help lower your tax bill next year. The following strategies can help.
[Read More]New Credit-Card Rules May Help You Save
A new credit-card law takes effect in February, and some of the changes may help you save money. Here’s what to expect.
[Read More]Around ICMA-RC
ICMA-RC's "457 Deferred Compensation: Your Questions Answered" is an online video series that provides public sector employees with answers to frequently asked questions about 457 retirement plans, basic investing concepts, and ICMA-RC's role as a plan administrator.
[Read More]Fixed Income Sector Performance
During 2008, the stock market dropped as credit markets froze. Many fixed income sectors that measure the availability of credit also declined. High-yield bonds returned −26.16%; emerging markets bonds returned −14.75%. U.S. Government bonds showed positive performance.
[Read More]Teenagers and Taxes
Think the talk about the birds and the bees is tough? Try the one about teens and taxes. If your youngster had a summer job, does he or she have to file a tax return? It depends on how much was earned on the job and how much money your child earns from other investments.
[Read More]Savings Strategies When College is Near
Even if your child is about to start college soon, you can still benefit from several tax-advantaged college-savings programs designed to help pay the bills.
[Read More]Investing Time Horizon
ICMA-RC’s VantageTrust PLUS Fund is a stable value fund that seeks to offer a competitive level of income, consistent with capital preservation and meeting liquidity needs. The PLUS fund is managed to seek to produce relatively stable returns compared to intermediate-term fixed-income funds.
[Read More]Who Can Have a Roth IRA?
I have a retirement plan at work but also want to open a Roth IRA. Can I?
[Read More]Frequent Trading and Market Timing
Frequent trading can eat away at your investments, especially over the long term during which you save for retirement. Trading fees and commissions are generated whenever mutual funds have to buy and sell underlying fund securities, and these costs are spread out over all investors in the fund—even if only a few people make excessive trades.
[Read More]