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2022 Midyear Update: Slowing, But Growing

Presented by Alexandra Levi & JoanAnn Natola

As we enter the second half of the year, the outlook might appear grim at first glance. Covid-19 continues to spread, both here and worldwide. Inflation remains close to 40-year highs, and the Federal Reserve (Fed) is tightening monetary policy to fight rising prices. The war in Ukraine is ongoing, and it threatens to become a long-term conflict. Midterm elections loom in the U.S. Looking at the headlines, you might expect the economy to be in very bad shape.

On the contrary, though, the news is largely good when you look at economic data. Job growth remains strong, and the labor market is still very tight. Consumers are out there shopping despite an erosion of confidence caused by inflation and high gas prices. Businesses, driven by consumer demand and the labor shortage, continue to hire as much as they can, and to invest when they can’t. In other words, despite the headlines, the economy remains not only healthy, but strong.

Your Guide to Year-End Financial Planning: A 10-Point Checklist
Presented by Alexandra Levi and JoanAnn Natola

From the hope that came with reopening to the disappointment of another COVID-19 resurgence, 2021 is panning out to be another roller-coaster year. With the fourth quarter upon us, one routine remains consistent: it’s time to start organizing your finances for the new year. New rules related to the pandemic, coupled with tax and retirement changes that carried over from last year, means there’s a lot to consider. This checklist highlights some key points to help guide you as you get started.

Are you worried about the rising cost of education? 529 plans can be powerful college savings tools when you understand how to take full advantage of them. 

Start with the Basics

529 plans are tax-advantaged college savings plans sponsored by a state or state agency, and there are two types:  

1. Prepaid tuition plans. With this type of plan, tuition and fees for a specific school are paid in advance.
2. Savings plans. These are tax-advantaged investment vehicles (the account grows tax deferred, like individual retirement accounts [IRAs]). Savings can be used at most accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. or abroad.

It is our great pleasure to share that our very own JoanAnn Natola has had the privilege of being nominated for the #NAPA #TopWomenInRetirementAdvisor.

There is a terrific field of women this year. While the determination of the final list of top women advisors is made solely by the determination of a panel of expert judges, based on applications submitted by the nominees, you can show your support of these outstanding candidates here.

It is our great pleasure to share that our Group Benefits Associate, Jennifer Lawrence has been awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® (AIF^®) Designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies^®, the standards-setting body for Fi360, a Broadridge company.

Halfway through 2021, we can finally see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. There has been much progress with public health and the economy. Vaccines have controlled the virus and brought new case growth down to pandemic lows. Millions of jobs have returned as the country has reopened. But as we enter the second half of the year, new problems have emerged: those of success. Labor and supply shortages, plus the shadow of inflation, are calling the recovery into question. The initial bounce back has been strong, but will we get back to normal by year-end?