Newsletters

Most Americans spend more time planning for vacations and holidays than planning for their retirement.¹
¹ Employee Benefit Research Insitute, 2007

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.

Before implementing any strategy discussed herein, you should consult with your own financial, tax, and/or legal advisors to determine its applicability in light of your own situation.

Most insurance policies and annuity contracts contain exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits, surrender charges and terms for keeping them in force. Your representative can provide you with costs and complete details.

The information contained in this article is not intended to (and cannot) be used by anyone to avoid IRS penalties. These articles supports the promotion and marketing of this [life insurance, annuity, long term care, disability, pension, etc. You should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

November

How Much Is Enough?
When you look at your life insurance coverage as a lump sum, it might seem like a lot of money, but how much is it in relation to your annual income?

TIPS for Managing Inflation
The U.S. Treasury issues a form of debt that helps protect investors from the effects of inflation: Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS).

Investing Can Be Funds
The popularity of mutual funds is not surprising, considering the benefits they can offer to investors. Some of these benefits could help make mutual funds an important part of your portfolio.

Leaving Memories, Not a Mess
Although it is not a legal document, a letter of instructions enables you to clearly describe your preferences for a variety of issues, such as organ donations, memorial/funeral arrangements, and other details that are not specified in a will or a trust.

Quick Facts - November 2008
Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets
October

Why Do Lower Prices Equal Higher Yields?
The price/yield relationship is rooted in the secondary bond market, where bonds may trade at a premium or discount of the par (or face) value.

Will Going Green Grow Green?
About one out of every nine dollars under professional management in the United States is already invested according to socially screened criteria. There are several key questions to ask yourself when considering how this rising tide could affect your portfolio.

Increase Your Protection
If your net worth exceeds the amount of liability coverage provided by your homeowners and auto insurance policies (each usually tops out somewhere between $300,000 and $500,000), you might want to consider an umbrella liability insurance policy.

Should You Found a Foundation?
If you want to control how and where your donations are used, create an entity that has the potential to last for generations, and unite family members behind a worthy cause — and don’t mind some fairly strict paperwork requirements — this type of organization might be worth considering.

Quick Facts - October 2008
Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets

September

Beat the Big Three What Ifs
Taxes, inflation, and medical costs — among other factors — could have an unanticipated effect on your retirement. There may be little you can do to combat them once you are no longer working.

Stay Off the Phishing Hook
In the run-up to this year’s April 15 tax deadline, taxpayers forwarded more than 33,000 phishing scam e-mails to the IRS, causing the agency to put phishing at the top of its annual list of scams of concern to taxpayers.

Charity That Pays
By organizing your giving, you can make it more effective, allowing your largess to benefit not only the intended charity, but potentially yourself and your heirs. Two popular ways to structure your giving are charitable lead trusts and charitable remainder trusts.

Your Best Interest
Successfully managing credit is crucial, but there are some arcane credit-card rules that may affect your balance, your interest rate, and even your credit score.

Put Some Infrastructure in Your Portfolio
The normally placid muni bond market has been roiled by a confluence of variables related to the stock market, slow economic growth, and credit-market woes. One result has been yields high enough to get the attention of investors who normally stick to Treasurys.

Quick Facts - September 2008
Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets
August

The Election and Your Money
In this year’s election, there are issues, such as energy, free trade, and inflation, playing a role that could have a significant effect on investors and consumers over the next four years.

It’s Your Home, Not Your Retirement
Although downsizing or using a reverse mortgage to free up home equity can be appropriate for some older retirees, planning to rely on your home to fund your retirement is a corner you may not want to paint yourself into.

Protect Your Downside
When the economy takes a turn for the worse, bond mutual funds offer investors a chance to diversify their holdings and dampen risk.

Every Little Bit Helps
IRA catch-up contributions enable investors aged 50 and older to make up ground in saving for retirement, whether they had a late start or just want to sock away more money.

What’s in It for You?
The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 contained favorable provisions that will benefit small business. It appears that the government wants to inspire businesses to spend freely, too.

Quick Facts - August 2008
Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets

July

Take It Year by Year
The Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates fast and deep. Although not all consumer rates are directly affected by the cuts, they highlight turmoil in the credit markets, rising inflation, and the possibility of slower economic growth.

Get Schooled on Saving for College
One way to be prepared for the possibility that the tab for higher education may be higher than expected is to take advantage of the tax benefits of 529 plans.

Surviving the Estate Tax with Survivorship Life
People who never imagined they would have enough assets to trigger estate taxes could be in for a surprise. One way to help plan for this possibility is by purchasing a survivorship life insurance policy.
June

What Does the Dollar Do for You?
Which is preferable, a strong dollar or a weak one?

No Better Time Than Now
You may not associate this time of year with reviewing the beneficiaries on your life insurance policy — nonetheless, it can be a good time to take this important step.

For Income, Pick Up This Split
A split-annuity strategy can help you begin receiving an income stream that has the potential to last well into the future.

Heir-Tight Estate Conservation
An incentive trust can help reinforce the lessons you taught your children during your life.

Population Boomer
The nearly 80 million boomers, who have reinvented so many aspects of American life, appear poised to leave their unique mark on retirement and possibly transform the economy in the process.

Quick Facts - June 2008
Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets

April

Manage Your Tax Burden
If tax season has you searching for ways to lighten your tax load, here are two options to consider.

Conserve Your Estate
Are your estate strategies up-to-date and ready for whatever legislative changes lie ahead?

More Reasons to Convert
Thanks to tax law changes, converting traditional IRA assets to a Roth IRA, or rolling over employer-sponsored retirement plans to a Roth, has become more attractive.

The Cost of Care
When preparing for life in retirement, you should consider the possibility that you may need long-term care at some point.

Fuel for the Economy
The world has become so dependent on oil that most economies simply could not exist in their present forms without it.
March

Quick Facts - March 2008
Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets

February

Quick Facts - February 2008
Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets
January

The Coming Retirement Boom
In 2008, a new era will dawn that economists and policymakers have been anticipating for years with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation: baby boomers will begin turning 62, ushering in an unprecedented long-term shift in the balance between working and retired Americans.

Betting Your Life on Low Coverage
If you are close to retiring or have already retired, you may be wondering whether your life insurance policy meets your current needs.

Regain Your Individuality
When employees leave their jobs, they have a choice to make: they can withdraw the money, leave the money in their former employers’ retirement accounts, or roll the money into another retirement plan.

You’ve Sold It: What’s Next?
If you are a business owner who is considering selling your enterprise soon, you may be able to reap even greater rewards by doing a little prep work now.

Quick Facts - January 2008
Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets

December

Life Insurance Goes to College
Life insurance is usually thought of in terms of tragic outcomes, but if life goes as planned, you may still be able to use it to send your kids to college.

World of Opportunity
It may be tempting to think that investing at home is enough, but that kind of thinking misses opportunities that may be available through foreign investments.

Money and the Battle of the Sexes
When both spouses are informed about the household finances, it can reduce the potential for mistakes, misunderstandings, and lost opportunities.

Giving for the Greater Good
When you utilize a structured giving strategy, your efforts can help reap greater benefits for you, your heirs, and your favorite charity.


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Newsletters Most Americans spend more time planning for vacations and holidays than planning for their retirement.¹ ¹ Employee Benefit Research Insitute, 2007 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. Before implementing any strategy discussed herein, you should consult with your own financial, tax, and/or legal advisors to determine its applicability in light of your own situation. Most insurance policies and annuity contracts contain exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits, surrender charges and terms for keeping them in force. Your representative can provide you with costs and complete details. The information contained in this article is not intended to (and cannot) be used by anyone to avoid IRS penalties. These articles supports the promotion and marketing of this [life insurance, annuity, long term care, disability, pension, etc. You should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. November How Much Is Enough? When you look at your life insurance coverage as a lump sum, it might seem like a lot of money, but how much is it in relation to your annual income? TIPS for Managing Inflation The U.S. Treasury issues a form of debt that helps protect investors from the effects of inflation: Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS). Investing Can Be Funds The popularity of mutual funds is not surprising, considering the benefits they can offer to investors. Some of these benefits could help make mutual funds an important part of your portfolio. Leaving Memories, Not a Mess Although it is not a legal document, a letter of instructions enables you to clearly describe your preferences for a variety of issues, such as organ donations, memorial/funeral arrangements, and other details that are not specified in a will or a trust. Quick Facts - November 2008 Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets October Why Do Lower Prices Equal Higher Yields? The price/yield relationship is rooted in the secondary bond market, where bonds may trade at a premium or discount of the par (or face) value. Will Going Green Grow Green? About one out of every nine dollars under professional management in the United States is already invested according to socially screened criteria. There are several key questions to ask yourself when considering how this rising tide could affect your portfolio. Increase Your Protection If your net worth exceeds the amount of liability coverage provided by your homeowners and auto insurance policies (each usually tops out somewhere between $300,000 and $500,000), you might want to consider an umbrella liability insurance policy. Should You Found a Foundation? If you want to control how and where your donations are used, create an entity that has the potential to last for generations, and unite family members behind a worthy cause — and don’t mind some fairly strict paperwork requirements — this type of organization might be worth considering. Quick Facts - October 2008 Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets September Beat the Big Three What Ifs Taxes, inflation, and medical costs — among other factors — could have an unanticipated effect on your retirement. There may be little you can do to combat them once you are no longer working. Stay Off the Phishing Hook In the run-up to this year’s April 15 tax deadline, taxpayers forwarded more than 33,000 phishing scam e-mails to the IRS, causing the agency to put phishing at the top of its annual list of scams of concern to taxpayers. Charity That Pays By organizing your giving, you can make it more effective, allowing your largess to benefit not only the intended charity, but potentially yourself and your heirs. Two popular ways to structure your giving are charitable lead trusts and charitable remainder trusts. Your Best Interest Successfully managing credit is crucial, but there are some arcane credit-card rules that may affect your balance, your interest rate, and even your credit score. Put Some Infrastructure in Your Portfolio The normally placid muni bond market has been roiled by a confluence of variables related to the stock market, slow economic growth, and credit-market woes. One result has been yields high enough to get the attention of investors who normally stick to Treasurys. Quick Facts - September 2008 Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets August The Election and Your Money In this year’s election, there are issues, such as energy, free trade, and inflation, playing a role that could have a significant effect on investors and consumers over the next four years. It’s Your Home, Not Your Retirement Although downsizing or using a reverse mortgage to free up home equity can be appropriate for some older retirees, planning to rely on your home to fund your retirement is a corner you may not want to paint yourself into. Protect Your Downside When the economy takes a turn for the worse, bond mutual funds offer investors a chance to diversify their holdings and dampen risk. Every Little Bit Helps IRA catch-up contributions enable investors aged 50 and older to make up ground in saving for retirement, whether they had a late start or just want to sock away more money. What’s in It for You? The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 contained favorable provisions that will benefit small business. It appears that the government wants to inspire businesses to spend freely, too. Quick Facts - August 2008 Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets July Take It Year by Year The Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates fast and deep. Although not all consumer rates are directly affected by the cuts, they highlight turmoil in the credit markets, rising inflation, and the possibility of slower economic growth. Get Schooled on Saving for College One way to be prepared for the possibility that the tab for higher education may be higher than expected is to take advantage of the tax benefits of 529 plans. Surviving the Estate Tax with Survivorship Life People who never imagined they would have enough assets to trigger estate taxes could be in for a surprise. One way to help plan for this possibility is by purchasing a survivorship life insurance policy. June What Does the Dollar Do for You? Which is preferable, a strong dollar or a weak one? No Better Time Than Now You may not associate this time of year with reviewing the beneficiaries on your life insurance policy — nonetheless, it can be a good time to take this important step. For Income, Pick Up This Split A split-annuity strategy can help you begin receiving an income stream that has the potential to last well into the future. Heir-Tight Estate Conservation An incentive trust can help reinforce the lessons you taught your children during your life. Population Boomer The nearly 80 million boomers, who have reinvented so many aspects of American life, appear poised to leave their unique mark on retirement and possibly transform the economy in the process. Quick Facts - June 2008 Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets April Manage Your Tax Burden If tax season has you searching for ways to lighten your tax load, here are two options to consider. Conserve Your Estate Are your estate strategies up-to-date and ready for whatever legislative changes lie ahead? More Reasons to Convert Thanks to tax law changes, converting traditional IRA assets to a Roth IRA, or rolling over employer-sponsored retirement plans to a Roth, has become more attractive. The Cost of Care When preparing for life in retirement, you should consider the possibility that you may need long-term care at some point. Fuel for the Economy The world has become so dependent on oil that most economies simply could not exist in their present forms without it. March Quick Facts - March 2008 Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets February Quick Facts - February 2008 Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets January The Coming Retirement Boom In 2008, a new era will dawn that economists and policymakers have been anticipating for years with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation: baby boomers will begin turning 62, ushering in an unprecedented long-term shift in the balance between working and retired Americans. Betting Your Life on Low Coverage If you are close to retiring or have already retired, you may be wondering whether your life insurance policy meets your current needs. Regain Your Individuality When employees leave their jobs, they have a choice to make: they can withdraw the money, leave the money in their former employers’ retirement accounts, or roll the money into another retirement plan. You’ve Sold It: What’s Next? If you are a business owner who is considering selling your enterprise soon, you may be able to reap even greater rewards by doing a little prep work now. Quick Facts - January 2008 Information about Retirement, Long Term Care and the Mature Markets December Life Insurance Goes to College Life insurance is usually thought of in terms of tragic outcomes, but if life goes as planned, you may still be able to use it to send your kids to college. World of Opportunity It may be tempting to think that investing at home is enough, but that kind of thinking misses opportunities that may be available through foreign investments. Money and the Battle of the Sexes When both spouses are informed about the household finances, it can reduce the potential for mistakes, misunderstandings, and lost opportunities. Giving for the Greater Good When you utilize a structured giving strategy, your efforts can help reap greater benefits for you, your heirs, and your favorite charity.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MLIC), New York, NY 10166. Securities products and investment advisory services offered by MetLife Securities, Inc. (MSI) (member FINRA/ SIPC), and a registered investment adviser, New York, NY 10166. Auto and Home Insurance offered by Metropolitan Property and Casualty Ins. Co. (MPCIC) and affiliates, Warwick, RI (may not be available in all states). MLIC, MSI, and MPCIC are affiliates. Copyright 2008, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. All Rights Reserved. PEANUTS© United Feature Syndicate, Inc. Privacy Policy Legal Notices

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