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401(k) and 403(b) Plans: An Overview Named after sections 401(k) and 403(b) of the tax code, both 401(k) plans and 403(b) plans are tax-advantaged defined-contribution (DC) retirement vehicles offered by employers. The primary difference between the two is the type of employer sponsoring the plans—401(k) plans are offered by private, for-profit companies, whereas 403(b) plans are

If you’re one of the millions of people who have struggled financially during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to know that help is available. Here is a brief overview of the assistance programs available to struggling Americans. Key Takeaways Numerous government assistance programs have been created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic including the $1.9

The adulthoods of millennials—who are between 26 and 41 years old—have been marked by some of the most monumental economic events in modern history. Though life experiences, debt burdens, and frequent money decisions have left many millennials quite stressed, The 2022 Investopedia Financial Literacy Survey found this generation is also the most confident and invested—literally—in

Former President Donald Trump drew intense criticism from many in the international community for his protectionist stance and strict adherence to an “America First” agenda on the matter of trade. Among other concerns for the Trump administration, one of the primary targets of the former president’s ire was the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Millions of people nationwide are struggling to keep up with their bills. If you’re one of them, you may be considering making partial payments, thinking that some money is better than none, even if it’s less than the minimum due. Though partial payments can help reduce the interest that accrues on your debt, lenders typically

The demise of brick-and-mortar retail may be capturing the news, but despite the Amazon effect, some companies are still thriving. Even as Amazon’s entry into the retail pharmacy business becomes real, CVS Health is not just looking to survive, but to grow. In May 2018, CVS made progress regarding its $69 billion acquisition of Aetna Inc., an American

There are more than 43 million student loan borrowers in the United States, making it one of the largest types of consumer debt—only second to mortgage loans. Student loan borrowers owed a total of $1.728 trillion in student loan debt by the end of the first quarter of 2021. The average balance held per borrower

New York municipal bond mutual funds provide investors with professionally managed exposure to the New York municipal bond market. New York municipal bond funds primarily invest in bonds issued by New York state, local governments, regional governments, and special purpose districts. In turn, these funds are used to support public projects such as schools, highways,

Student loans can sometimes feel like a scam. Actual student loan companies like Navient, which provide student loans, have been embroiled in lawsuits and allegations from states like Washington, as well as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The worst student loan companies may appear to be scammers, but there are actual student loan forgiveness scams

Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up: An Overview Top-down and bottom-up approaches are methods used to analyze and choose securities. However, the terms also appear in many other areas of business, finance, investing, and economics. While the two schemes are common terms, many investors get them confused or don’t fully understand the differences between the approaches. Each approach

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are a key consideration when constructing any equity or fixed-income portfolio. They can provide added diversification, potentially higher total returns, and/or lower overall risk. In short, their ability to generate dividend income along with capital appreciation makes them an excellent counterbalance to stocks, bonds, and cash. REIT investing involves real

Jumbo vs. Conventional Mortgages: An Overview Jumbo mortgages and conventional mortgages are two types of financing borrowers use to purchase homes. Both loans require homeowners to meet certain eligibility requirements including minimum credit scores, income thresholds, repayment ability, and down payments. Both are also mortgages issued and underwritten by lenders in the private sector, as

Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are a flexible legal and tax entity that allows partners to benefit from economies of scale by working together while also reducing their liability for the actions of other partners. As with any legal entity, it is important that you check the laws in your nation (and your state) before getting

What Is a Split? Mutual funds split the same way individual stocks split, but less often. Like stock splits, mutual fund splits do not result in any change in net value, so they are primarily a marketing device. A split occurs when a mutual fund increases the number of shares outstanding while simultaneously decreasing the price per share

On Feb. 24, 2021, President Biden took a big step toward addressing the green card backlog: he revoked a freeze the former administration had put on several types of visas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The move was an extension of his recent proposal to reform the immigration process. It also served to clear the