Shortly after sitting back down at the resolute desk, President Donald Trump began a program of imposing tariffs to encourage negotiation and to correct trade imbalances. Some were small. Some were huge. Many were later reversed or challenged in court. Economics 101 suggests that tariffs are a tax and should produce both inflation and reduced consumer spending. This time has been different, and financial professionals need to wrestle with why.
3 min read
Trump’s Tariffs and Inflation Expectations
By Eric Robbins on Dec 5, 2025 5:45:00 AM
Topics: Finance Knowledge Centers IREAP
5 min read
Executive Compensation: An Overview for Business Owners
By Ameritas on Dec 1, 2025 6:00:01 AM
In today’s competitive job market, hiring the best employees is only half the battle. Retaining them is just as crucial. The most valuable assets of your business are your top-performing employees and providing them with additional benefits can help secure their loyalty. One approach is to offer supplemental retirement savings plans, tailored to reward and retain key talent.
Topics: Knowledge Centers IREAP executive benefits
4 min read
Artificial Intelligence is Real for Portfolios, Now
By Phil Stuczynski on Nov 25, 2025 5:15:00 AM
Artificial intelligence is no longer a side story or something “up and coming.” It is shaping market leadership, corporate strategy, and workflows within financial firms. That opens a real opportunity, but it also concentrates risk. The job for planners and portfolio managers is to harness the wave without letting a few names quietly drive all client outcomes.
Topics: Investing Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Centers IREAP
3 min read
10 Uses of Life Insurance in Estate Planning
By Ameritas on Nov 21, 2025 7:45:00 AM
Estate planning is essential for everyone, regardless of the size of the estate. Life insurance plays a crucial role in various aspects of estate planning, helping provide financial security to your loved ones. Here are 10 ways to use life insurance in estate planning for modest estates.
Topics: Life Insurance & Annuities Estate Planning Knowledge Centers IREAP
3 min read
One Big Beautiful Bill, Five Big Opportunities
By Andrew Rinn, JD, CFP, CLU, ChFC on Nov 17, 2025 12:15:08 PM
HR1 creates a solid window of opportunity for life-insurance strategies, NAIFA Trustee Andrew Rinn writes in an article published in Advisor Magazine. “After years of watching tax policy evolve and wondering what comes next, we now have a roadmap and a fresh window of opportunity – and life insurance is a big part of that,” Rinn writes.
Topics: Tax Reform Knowledge Centers IREAP
2 min read
The Essential Guide to Estate Planning: Why It's Not Just for the Wealthy
By NAIFA on Nov 7, 2025 10:33:31 AM
NAIFA’s Investment, Retirement, Estate, and Advanced Planning Center (IREAP) hosted its first Impact Day webinar on Thursday, November 6, 2025, "Extraordinary Estate Planning for Ordinary People", which aimed to demystify the estate planning process and highlight its critical importance for everyone, regardless of age or asset level. Moderated by Mat Powers, the discussion featured experts Troy Branch and Andrew Rinn, who emphasized that planning is fundamentally about family and legacy, not just dollars and cents.
Topics: Estate Planning Knowledge Centers IREAP
4 min read
Debunking the Myths of Retirement Income Planning
By Ash Brokerage on Jul 15, 2025 10:55:23 AM
Retirement income planning is one of the most critical, yet misunderstood, aspects of financial advising. Many advisors and clients alike hold on to outdated beliefs that can negatively impact long-term financial security. In a recent McGSpeaks podcast, I interviewed Randy Kitzmiller, ChFC, CLU, FLMI, RICP and tackled five of the biggest myths surrounding income planning and revealed how advisors can better serve their clients by challenging conventional wisdom. Below, we explore these myths and present actionable insights that can transform retirement planning strategies.




