• Brokerage Accounts: A brokerage account is an investment account that allows you to buy and sell a variety of investments, like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs. 

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• Open-end Mutual Fund: An open-end mutual fund is a type of investment fund that pools money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of securities such as stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments. The term "open-end" refers to the fact that the fund continuously offers new shares to investors and stands ready to redeem (buy back) existing shares at their net asset value (NAV) per share. Investing in mutual funds involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Fund value will fluctuate with market conditions, and it may not achieve its investment objective.  

• ETF: A share of an investment company that owns a block of shares selected to pursue a specific investment objective. ETFs trade like stocks and are listed on stock exchanges and sold by broker-dealers. Exchange-traded funds are sold only by prospectus. Please consider the charges, risks, expenses, and investment objectives carefully before investing. A prospectus containing this and other information about the investment company can be obtained from your financial professional. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

• Common Stock: A security that represents partial ownership of a corporation. Those who hold common stock are entitled to participate in stockholder meetings, to vote for the board of directors, and may receive periodic dividends. Stock investing includes risks, including fluctuating prices and loss of principal.

• Bonds: A debt instrument under which the issuer promises to pay a specified amount of interest and to repay the principal at maturity. The market value of a bond will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. As rates rise, the value of existing bonds typically falls. If an investor sells a bond before maturity, it may be worth more or less than the initial purchase price. By holding a bond to maturity, an investor will receive the interest payments due plus his or her original principal, barring default by the issuer. Investments seeking to achieve higher yields also involve a higher degree of risk.

• Government Securities: Treasury bills (or T-bills) are short-term securities that mature in one year or less. They are issued by the U.S. government and are considered one of the safest investments.  Government bonds and Treasury bills are guaranteed by the US government as to the timely payment of principal and interest and, if held to maturity, offer a fixed rate of return and fixed principal value.

• Treasury Notes: Treasury notes are government securities that mature in 1 to 10 years. They pay interest every six months until maturity, at which point the face value is paid to the owner.

• Money Purchasing Plans: A money purchasing plan is a type of defined contribution plan where employers make mandatory, fixed contributions to an employee's retirement fund based on a percentage of annual earnings. It offers tax advantages and a secure method to save for retirement.

• Profit Sharing Plans: These are retirement plans that allow employees to share in the profits of a company. The company contributes a portion of its pre-tax profits to a pool that is distributed among eligible employees.

• Charitable Accounts: Also known as Donor-Advised Funds, charitable accounts are an investment account specifically designed for charitable giving. They offer immediate tax benefits and allow the donor to recommend grants to their preferred charities over time.

• Traditional IRA: A qualified retirement account for individuals. Contributions to a Traditional IRA may be fully or partially deductible, depending on your individual circumstance. Under the SECURE Act, in most circumstances, once you reach age 73, you must begin taking required minimum distributions from a Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Withdrawals from Traditional IRAs are taxed as ordinary income, and if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10-percent federal income tax penalty. You may continue to contribute to a Traditional IRA past age 70½ under the SECURE Act as long as you meet the earned-income requirement.

• Roth IRA: A qualified retirement plan in which earnings grow tax deferred and distributions are tax free. Contributions to a Roth IRA are generally not deductible for tax purposes, and there are income and contribution limits. Roth IRA contributions cannot be made by taxpayers with high incomes. To qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a five-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal also can be taken under certain other circumstances, such as after the owner’s death. Withdrawals of earnings prior to age 59 ½ or prior to the account being opened for 5 years, whichever is later, may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax. Limitations and restrictions may apply. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals.

• Roth IRA Conversions: The process of transferring assets from a traditional, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA to a Roth IRA. Roth IRA conversions are subject to specific requirements and may be taxable.  Traditional IRA account owners have considerations to make before performing a Roth IRA conversion. These primarily include income tax consequences on the converted amount in the year of conversion, withdrawal limitations from a Roth IRA, and income limitations for future contributions to a Roth IRA. In addition, if you are required to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) in the year you convert, you must do so before converting to a Roth IRA.

• SEP IRA: A Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA is a retirement savings plan established by employers or self-employed individuals. The employer is allowed a tax deduction for contributions made and the employee is not taxed until the funds are withdrawn.

• Simple IRA: A Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) IRA is a type of retirement plan that small businesses and self-employed individuals can establish. Employers match employee contributions up to a certain percentage.

• Transfer on Death (TOD): This is an arrangement where the ownership of an asset or account passes directly to a named beneficiary upon the owner's death, bypassing the probate process.

• Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship (JTWROS): This is a type of ownership where two or more people own an asset together in equal shares. If one owner dies, their share automatically passes to the surviving owner(s), bypassing probate. It's commonly used for real estate, bank accounts, and other valuable assets.

• Educational IRA: Also known as a Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA), this is a tax-advantaged investment account designed to encourage savings for future educational expenses.

• Estate Planning: Estate planning involves arranging your personal and financial affairs to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death. This often includes making the will is accurate, designating beneficiaries, setting up trusts if needed, establishing power of attorney, and planning for potential tax implications. The goal of estate planning is to provide peace of mind and minimize any potential complications or conflicts for your loved ones.

• Retirement Accounts: These are savings accounts that offer tax advantages for those saving for retirement. They can be individual accounts, like Traditional or Roth IRAs, or employer-sponsored, like 401(k) or 403(b) plans.

• Education Planning: This is the process of creating a strategy to save money for future educational expenses. It may involve the use of savings plans, scholarships, grants, or investments specifically intended for education, like 529 plans or Education IRAs.  Prior to investing in a 529 Plan, investors should consider whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program. Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax free. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing.

• Retirement Plans: Retirement plans are designed to help individuals save and invest for a financially secure retirement. They come in many forms, including individual retirement accounts (IRAs), employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s, and annuities.

• Tax Plans: Tax planning involves understanding how to manage your financial affairs in a way that minimizes your tax liabilities. This can involve making the best use of tax allowances and reliefs available, as well as structuring investments and transactions in a tax-efficient manner.  This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.

• 401(k) Planning: A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement plan that allows employees to save and invest for their own retirement on a tax-deferred basis. Employees can choose to contribute a portion of their wages into the account, often with matching contributions from their employer.

• 403(b) Planning: Similar to a 401(k), a 403(b) plan is a retirement plan for specific employees of public schools, tax-exempt organizations, and certain ministers. It allows employees to make pre-tax contributions, which can grow tax-deferred until withdrawal in retirement.

• Disability Income Insurance: This type of insurance provides supplementary income in the event an illness or accident results in a disability that prevents the insured from working at their regular employment.

• Term Life Insurance: Term life insurance is a type of life insurance that provides coverage at a fixed rate of payments for a limited period of time, or a "term". If the insured dies during the term, the death benefit will be paid to the beneficiaries.

• Long-Term-Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is designed to cover long-term services and supports, including personal and custodial care, in a variety of settings such as your home, a community organization, or other facility.