A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings program designed to help families prepare for future education expenses. Named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, these plans have transformed the way families save and pay for college. In addition to tax benefits, 529 plans offer diverse investment options, allow funds to be used for a wide range of expenses—including college costs, trade schools, and K-12 tuition—and can reduce the impact of personal savings on financial aid eligibility.

Health care remains important throughout life, but it often becomes an even greater focus after retirement. As you age, maintaining your health becomes a top priority, which may involve more frequent doctor visits for routine exams and preventive screenings. Additionally, aging can bring a higher likelihood of health issues, potentially leading to increased expenses for medications and medical procedures. That’s why having reliable health insurance is essential to help manage these rising costs.

When developing your estate plan, you can do well by doing good. Leaving money to charity rewards you in many ways. It gives you a sense of personal satisfaction, and it can save you money in estate taxes.

While no investment strategy can guarantee success and all investing carries risk— including the potential loss of principal—a successful investor aims to maximize returns and minimize losses. The following six fundamental principles may help guide you toward more effective investing.

Not educating yourself about which investments may be able to help you pursue your financial goals and how to approach the investing process is a mistake for any saver. Read on to find out how knowledge about your investments creates financial independence.

An annuity, in its simplest form, is a contract between the purchaser (or owner) and an insurance company (the issuer). The owner pays money to the issuer, and the issuer pays back that principal plus earnings to either the owner or the owner’s named beneficiary later in life.

Social Security is funded through payroll taxes, known as the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). While working, you contribute a portion of your earnings (7.65 percent) up to the taxable wage base and your employer also contributes (7.65 percent). The taxable wage base is the maximum amount of income subject to Social Security taxes.

Making smart money decisions before and during retirement can help protect your nest egg for years to come.