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.
Variable Annuities and Your Retirement Strategy
An insurance product may appeal to pre-retirees who want to invest more of their current incomes for retirement and defer taxes on market gains. A variable annuity enables investors to pursue investment gains with the option to purchase guarantees (for an additional cost) to help protect against the downside risks of investing in the markets.
New Opportunity Under the Federal Gift Tax
The 2010 Tax Relief Act raised the lifetime gift-tax exclusion to $5 million. This means it could be a good time to make the most of tax-free gift transfers. If so, it's important to understand the annual and lifetime gift exemption limits, as well as which gifts might not be subject to them.
HOT TOPIC: Will Federal Reserve Tactics Help the Ailing U.S. Economy?
This article looks at policy tools that the Federal Reserve has used in the past and may use going forward in its attempts to spur economic growth. It also explains the possible implications of a long-term, low-interest-rate environment for investors, savers, and retirees.
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