Investment Articles
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Retirement Planning
Annuities: The Missing Piece in Your Retirement Puzzle
Learn how annuities might fit into your retirement plan.
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How Insurance Can Be Used for Retirement Planning
With the proper structure, life insurance policies may become financial assets.
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Determining the Best Time To Retire
The date you choose for retirement could impact your finances. Here are some tips to help you figure it out.
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Retirement Annuities Explained
If you’re seeking income and safety in retirement, an annuity might be an asset class you may want to consider.
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An Annuity May Restore Your Confidence in Retirement
Find out how annuities can help provide steady post-retirement income and help protect against market losses.
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How Does the SECURE Act 2.0 Impact Small Businesses?
Explore the SECURE Act 2.0 and what new provisions might apply to you, your business and your retirement strategy.
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Retirement Planning Throughout Life
Learn strategies to help better position your financial future.
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Four Financial Planning Essentials To Ease Your Retirement Fears
If you're ready to learn more about how you can begin planning for your retirement, talk to a financial advisor about these four financial planning essentials.
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Washington Long-Term Care Act
Washingtonians who are W-2 employees will see an additional tax deduction on their paychecks starting Jan. 1, 2022, unless they choose to opt-out.
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What To Know About Early Retirement Withdrawals
An early retirement withdrawal can add up with taxes, fees and penalties, but there are a few exceptions to consider.
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8 Key Facts About Social Security
Learn the various facets of the Social Security program to help you optimize your benefits for your situation.
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6 Essential Tips for Retirement Planning
The journey to a comfortable retirement starts with careful financial planning—and it’s never too early to start. Here are six smart steps to take while planning your retirement.
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Retirement Planning: The Basics
Review five ways you can prepare for retirement to ensure you are on the right track.
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How to Build a Retirement Plan
Learn how to craft a retirement plan that fits your financial profile and your needs.
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Identify Your Personal Retirement Goals
Gain financial expertise on achieving your retirement goals.
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Retirement Planning Checklist
It’s never too early to start planning: learn what steps to take for financial independence during your retirement.
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How the CARES Act Can Affect Your Retirement
Just as government officials have advised the public to stay home to stay healthy, BECU Investment Services is offering similar guidance for your investments: Stay informed, and don’t panic.
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SECURE ACT: How It Impacts Your Retirement
See how changes to retirement saving laws could affect your plans.
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Managing Taxes in Retirement
Before you develop a retirement tax strategy, you need to know what’s taxable and what’s not. We help you with some general guidelines.
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The Three-Bucket Approach to Building Wealth
Taking a measured, methodical approach to financial health by dividing your money into three separate buckets.
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Saving for Retirement
How much should you save for retirement, and what’s a good strategy to help you reach that goal?
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Retirement Planning Mistakes
Avoid these mistakes when planning for retirement, investing and saving for your 401(k).
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Baby Boomers and Retirement
Is it too late for baby boomers to save for retirement? Let’s look at the options.
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8 Things Everyone Wants to Know About Social Security
Is Social Security bankrupt? Read about Social Security’s current state, how and when to redeem benefits, and their estimated impact on your retirement.
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Long-Term Care Considerations
Planning for long-term care now sets your finances up for success later. Our financial advisor reviews steps you can take.
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Understanding Your Retirement Savings
Manage your investment risk and work towards a solid financial foundation for the future by following our 7-step plan to pursue financial independence.
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Retirement Plan Contributions
Learn how to choose an investment plan that does the best job of supporting your financial future.
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Individual Retirement Account FAQs
Roth vs. Traditional IRA: Which is Right for You? Financial advisor Maggie Dolan, CFP®, breaks down Roth vs. traditional IRAs, contributions, withdrawals and more.
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Should You Convert After-Tax Contributions to a Roth IRA?
Learn about situations where it may make sense to convert your after-tax contributions to a Roth IRA.
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What To Know About Roth IRA Conversions
Find out what a Roth IRA conversion is, how it works and what to know before starting.
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IRA Mistakes to Avoid
An IRA may boost your retirement savings even further. Learn about four common IRA mistakes and how to avoid them.
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What To Know About IRA Investing
Investing in an IRA can be smart way to supplement your existing retirement plan.
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IRA vs. 401(k)
Learn more about what retirement accounts to consider for retirement savings contributions.
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Eligibility Requirements For IRAs
We break down who is eligible to contribute and the maximum yearly contribution amounts to the two different types of IRAs.
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The Benefits of a Solo 401(k)
A Solo 401(k) could be a strategic move for your financial future as you pursue retirement confidence.
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Understanding the Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional
Companies have the option of offering a new different type of tax-advantaged retirement plan: the Roth 401(k). Learn about the differences between the Roth 401(k) and the Traditional 401(k).
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Maximizing 401(k) Contributions
Learn strategies to make the most of your 401(k) contributions.
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Common 401(k) Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid a lot of 401(k) mistakes investors make when choosing their investments.
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401(k) Planning; Five Questions To Ask
To optimize your 401(k), here are five questions to ask about 401(k) planning.
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What To Do After Automatic 401(k) Enrollment
Manage your 401(k) retirement savings after enrollment with these tips.
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Give Your 401(k) An Annual Checkup
Ensure that you’re taking full advantage of your retirement options and prepare for your employer’s next open enrollment period.
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How To Manage Your 401(k) When You Switch Jobs
Learn your 401(k) options after leaving a job.
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Why You Should Resist the Temptation To Cash Out Your 401(k) Early
Learn the two main disadvantages of cashing out a 401(k) early; implications on taxes and penalties, and the loss of potential future gains.
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Facing a Layoff
Assess your retirement savings and determine how to use it for the future.
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A Deep Dive Into Common Investment Options
Investing doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all option. Explore the factors that impact each choice to see what’s right for you.
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Everything You Need To Know About Fixed-Income Investing
If you’re considering an investment opportunity, learn how to determine if fixed-income investing might be right for you.
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Investment Glossary: Common Investing Terms and What They Mean
Understanding these terms may help you become a more confident investor.
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Your Guide to Asset Allocation
Learn how asset allocation might help you balance potential financial risks while pursuing potential returns.
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Investing During an Election Year
Uncover five things you may want to keep in mind about your investments during election years.
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ESG and Impact Investing: Do Investors Know the Difference?
Discover investment strategies that could preserve the planet and improve society.
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Investing Made Easy: Start Small
Explore four focus areas to help you on your investing journey.
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What Could You Do With Your Tax Refund?
A tax refund can be a great financial boost. But what should you do with the money? We’ve got some ideas you may want to consider.
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The New Frontier: ESG Investing
Learn about what considerations to make when diving into the ins and outs of ESG investments.
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The Remarkable Rise of ESG Investing
Learn how environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment processes and decision-making.
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The Financial Planning Process: Why and How
Learn the steps a financial advisor takes to guide you through building a financial plan.
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Navigating Market Volatility and Opportunity
Get tips to stay disciplined through periods of volatility.
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Market Volatility Can Create Mixed Emotions
Review ways to prepare your finances for the unknowns.
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What To Do When Facing a Bear Market
Review common steps investors take when faced with a declining stock market.
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Year-End Tax Planning Tips
Year-end tax planning tips to help you navigate capital gains, losses and income tax.
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How Your Appetite for Risk Drives Your Investments
Learn about the different risk profiles associated with four primary types of investments.
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Tips To Keep Emotions and Investing Separate
Keeping emotions away from investment decisions can give you a better chance for success.
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Investment Rates of Return
The stock market has historically gained in value year over year. But by how much?
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Begin Investing While You're Young
You’re never too young to start building an investment portfolio.
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Investing for the Long Haul: Five Tips for Millennials
Now is the time for millennials to develop a process of saving and investing to ensure long-term financial independence.
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Investing in an Election Year
Learn what you need to know when investing during an election year.
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Tax Strategies for Investing
Grow your money tax-free with tips on investing using tax-deferral strategies.
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How Investing Works
Making money doesn’t have to be hard if you learn to invest wisely. Here’s how to make your money work for you.
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What are Mutual Funds
A Mutual fund is a professionally managed investment account which combines money from multiple investors.
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Managing Risk In The Stock Market
Learn ways to navigate risk and the rise and fall of investing in the stock market.
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Understanding Stocks
Want to invest for the future but not sure where to start? Here's a beginners' guide to understanding stocks.
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Investing For Major Financial Goals
Consider these tips when planning to invest in major financial goals.
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Why Financial Asset Management Matters
Understanding the elements of asset management can help weather the ups and downs that come with investing.
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Year-End Countdown: Key Deadlines You Can’t Afford to Miss
Find important dates that may affect your financial future.
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Aging With Financial Independence: Practical Steps for Supporting Your Parents' Financial Planning
Discover practical ways to support your parents’ financial planning as they age.
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How a Financial Advisor May be a Valuable Business Partner
Discover how an experienced financial advisor may help you steer your small business toward long-term effectiveness.
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Four Questions to Ask Your Financial Professional
Answers to these questions could provide helpful insight.
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End-of-Year Is the Time to Start Tax Planning
Learn tips that can help you get a jump-start on your tax planning for next year.
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Top Five Year-End Financial Planning Moves to Consider
Making these moves before the new year could help you save money, prepare for tax season and more.
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Quick Guide to 529 Plans
Considering education savings? This guide could help you understand if a 529 Plan may be a good option for you.
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Smart Strategies for Staying Ahead in Uncertain Markets
Learn about smart strategies that may help reduce risk during fluctuating market activity.
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529 Plans: An Investment in Education and Legacy
Learn how 529 Plans work, and how they can be a tool for educational funding and estate planning.
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Election Year Investing: 4 Things to Know
Election years can be a time of uncertainty. Discover four reasons investors could benefit during election season.
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How To Include Long-Term Care in Your Retirement Planning
Planning ahead for long-term care may provide you and your loved ones comfort well into the future.
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Legacy Planning Resource Guide | BECU Investment Services
Legacy planning is an essential part of your overall financial strategy. Find tools to help you get started.
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Empowering Your Legacy: How To Create a Charitable Giving Plan
Charitable giving may create an enduring impact felt by loved ones. Consider these steps when creating a giving plan.
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Help Prepare Your Family for a Wealth Transfer
Learn ways to prepare your family for a successful wealth transfer.
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Seven Ways To Help You Financially Prepare for Higher Education
These tips may help you financially prepare for higher education expenses.
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10 Questions To Help Families Prepare for a Wealth Transfer
Learn 10 essential wealth transfer questions to start a discussion with your family.
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Six Ways To Help Improve Your Financial Literacy
Learn proactive ways to help improve your financial awareness.
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Seven Investment Strategies To Turn Into a Habit
Explore seven investment strategies that could become habits.
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The Ultimate Guide to Navigating Tax Filing Season
Review some tips for navigating the tax filing process to help reduce Tax Day stress.
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Making Mindful Financial New Year’s Resolutions
Learn how behavioral economics could help you make mindful financial decisions in the new year.
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Monthly Financial Planning Tips
Review a month-to-month to-do list to help keep your finances on track year-round.
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Money Milestones: Four Financial Goals for Older Individuals
Working toward new financial goals might help ease your retirement worries.
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The Benefits of Getting a Second Financial Opinion
Learn why you might benefit from a second financial opinion.
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The Secure 2.0 Act Guide
Learn how the SECURE Act 2.0 will affect your financial and retirement objectives.
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Your Tax Prep Checklist
Get the key information you might need when preparing for this year's taxes.
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Year-End Tax Season Planning Preparation
Learn helpful tips on how to plan for tax season with the help of a financial advisor.
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Five Year-End Tax Planning Questions To Ask Your Financial Advisor
Here are five year-end tax planning questions you may want to ask your financial advisor.
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Make a Year-End Tax Plan
No matter what the new year may bring, you can start preparing with these tax-planning steps.
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The Importance of Financial Planning
A financial plan might provide benefits at just about every life stage.
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The Financial Planning Process: Why and How
Learn the steps a financial advisor takes to guide you through building a financial plan.
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Three Financial Planning Steps
Learn the three steps of financial planning that could help you get your finances on track.
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Is College in Reach for Your Child?
We break down the financial tools for college savings, including the pros and cons of each.
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Inheritance Tips
What would you do if you were lucky enough to suddenly come into a large sum of money, such as an inheritance?
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Choosing a Financial Advisor
Choosing a financial advisor is a big decision. After all, you will be entrusting that person with your financial future. Here are 10 questions to ask when considering an advisor.
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5 Things to Put on Your Year-end Finance Checklist
Review this checklist of financial tasks before 2023 is over to make the most of your tax and financial benefits.
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