Sep 24, 2026
We’re often asked what an annuity guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit is. Simply put it’s a rider that is attached to either a variable annuity or an equity-indexed annuity that allows you to receive an annual withdrawal throughout your lifetime. It’s called a...
Jun 10, 2026
Traditionally, tipping has been a way to reward workers for providing good service. But the norms around tipping are changing, and if you’ve recently felt more pressure to tip, you’re not alone. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that 72% of adults...
Jan 19, 2026
For years, U.S. consumers enjoyed the convenience of online shopping from international retailers with few, if any, surprises. But recent changes in trade policy have shifted the landscape… making imported goods more expensive and, in some cases, subject to unexpected...
Sep 22, 2025
In uncertain economic times, many Texans are rethinking how they vacation—and increasingly, they’re opting to stay close to home. According to a 2025 survey, 61% of Americans expressed concern that a recession could affect their travel plans, and the same percentage...
May 12, 2025
The Markets (as of market close April 30, 2025) April was a turbulent month for the markets, marked by geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade policy, and early signs of economic slowdown. After the sharpest weekly decline since the pandemic, markets struggled to...
Nov 6, 2023
The most recent inflation data demonstrated the challenges the Federal Reserve faces in trying to bring down rising prices, with annual core prices for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the personal consumption expenditures price index remaining well above the 2.0%...