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On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, an omnibus spending bill that includes the SECURE 2.0 measure (a.k.a. the Securing a Strong Retirement Act 2.0). Broadly, SECURE 2.0 is intended to make retirement saving more straightforward and accessible to a wider range of people. As such, it encompasses many aspects of financial planning and retirement saving.

On Friday, March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) in an effort to help Americans manage the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The bill provided sweeping assistance to industries hit hard by the crisis, as well as small businesses and individuals. One of the most notable aspects of the bill is the so-called “recovery rebates,” or stimulus checks, that will be sent to many Americans. Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions about these checks.

President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) on March 18, 2020. The FFCRA amends portions of the existing federal Family and Medical Leave Act to provide paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave to employees affected by COVID-19. It contains two major provisions: the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act. Both provisions became effective April 1, 2020, and expire December 31, 2020.

Along with the devastating health consequences resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak, the virus has had widespread economic implications for individuals, families, and businesses. In response, the federal government has put several measures into place. To help keep you informed of the latest developments, I have included a summary of recent actions the government has taken.

The market has pulled back significantly in the past couple of weeks. In fact, we’re seeing volatility like we’ve never seen before. Of course, concerns are mounting. But at the same time, we must ask ourselves what’s behind such volatility. Let’s take a step back and assess what’s really going on.

As federal, state, and local governments take steps to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, it’s understandable that you may be worried about your financial security—and our ability to continue to oversee your accounts. We wanted to provide some reassurance about our business continuity and that of Commonwealth Financial Network®, the firm we partner with to better serve you. 

It has been a very difficult couple of weeks in the financial markets. Stock markets worldwide have dropped sharply on the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Worse, the shutdowns of large parts of the economy as a risk control measure may lead to further declines. With your portfolios down, and with the headlines screaming more risk, what should you do as an investor?

With the Dow dropping 20 percent from its highs and the S&P 500 following suit, we have finally seen the end of the bull market.  

March 2020 has not been kind to the markets. Earlier this month, markets dropped worldwide. On March 9 (the 11th anniversary of the bull market), they declined by 7.5 percent, the largest drop since 2008. In less than a month, we’ve seen a total decline of almost 19 percent. It certainly seems that we’re in the midst of a stock market crash—doesn’t it?

Like you, we’re concerned about the coronavirus and the risk it may pose to our health and that of our clients, family, and friends. With so much information (and misinformation) out there, we wanted to provide you with some tips for protecting yourself.