–Since 2014, the Nationwide Retirement Institute has surveyed Americans annually on their perceptions, concerns and understanding of the U.S. Social Security system. This year's survey marks its 10 th edition and reveals how Americans' attitudes towards Social Security have shifted significantly over the past decade. The 2023 Social Security survey…
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Denny Bhakta, 41, was arraigned in federal court on Friday on charges that he fraudulently obtained $4 million in Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, loans for multiple business entities he managed and controlled. Bhakta allegedly applied for and received 18 PPP loans for four organizations he controlled including Fusion Hotel Management, LLC; Fusion…
However, investors demonstrate more confidence in advice from both generative AI and social media after they’ve vetted that advice with a financial planner.
Three-fourths (75%) of adults age 50 and older worry Social Security will run out of funding in their lifetime, up from 66% in 2014, according to Nationwide Retirement Institute.
A federal judge in California dismissed Friday a securities fraud class action against Wells Fargo& Co. related to its diversity hiring practices. The lawsuit, filed June 28, 2022, alleges the bank and certain executives that include chief executive Charlie Scharf had made false or misleading statements about diversity hiring practices between Feb. 24,…

4 tactics for turning client referrals into introductions
Helping build client confidence can also help build a practice by increasing client referrals.
Someone turning 65 today has a 70% chance of eventually requiring assistance with basic living activities, such as bathing, dressing and using the toilet, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Plus, families often don’ t try to figure out how to provide this care until there is a health crisis, which can lead to unnecessary stress, conflicts…

How to increase investor share of wallet
As consumers’ use of multiple investment firms has increased, research informs how advisors can increase their investor share of wallet.

Employees less confident about finances than business owners
While both list rising costs among top concerns, employers feel more satisfied with their financial situation than employees,
That's well above the Federal Reserve's target of 2%. Christine Benz, director of retirement planning for Morningstar, has offered commentary on how to protect your retirement assets. At the portfolio level, Benz suggests Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities.
A North Texas man was sentenced to life in federal prison for investment fraud that led to the killing of a friend, the Carrollton Police Department announced in a news release Thursday. Carrollton Police Chief Roberto Arredondo said in the news release that Ashley“ went to great lengths to steal clients’ life savings and even kill to gain control of their…

How an advisor made MDRT by working with young engineers
An advisor recalled how he launched his insurance career and qualified for Million Dollar Round Table by working with the group he could relate to most – newly graduated engineers.
Total U.S. credit card debt increased $45 billion between April and June of this year and has now topped the $1 trillion mark, according to the New York Federal Reserve. According to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. “The pandemic-era savings cushions are gone, the economy is shaky and consumers are leaning more heavily than ever on their credit cards to cover day-to-day…
Erik J. Hass, 53, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release, according to a news release from the Oregon District of the U.S. Attorney's Office. He was also ordered to pay more than $1.75 million in restitution to his victims. In January 2013, Hass founded Simply Grains Inc., which he claimed supported Christian missionaries…
When Franklin D. Roosevelt started Social Security in 1935, the goal was to make the program self-funding. In addition, any income tax revenues from Social Security earnings and interest earned by the trust fund would go into the fund. This worked fine at the beginning because Social Security only provided retirement income to retired workers and life…

Cross-selling leads to up-selling
Cross-selling often results in increased sales revenue and higher rates of client retention and satisfaction.

Four tips for getting the most out of industry conferences
Here are four tips to help prepare for conference season. Attending conferences is more than just networking.
BPT- Will I be able to retire? How much do I need to save? What if I outlive those savings?
"If we are not on the right side of this issue, we are going to have major strains on our state treasury and we are going to have major challenges within communities to meet the essential needs of retirees," said Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, who was in Port Angeles on Aug. 9 for a listening session on retirement security. One of the panelists, Cathleen…

401(k) plan is becoming non-negotiable for job seekers, study finds
The 401(k) plan is becoming non-negotiable for those looking for work, and three in four would refuse a new job if it did not offer one.