Investment Articles

BECU Investment Services

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Retirement Planning

Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Retirement Planning Throughout Life

Learn strategies to help better position your financial future.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Retirement Planning: The Basics

Review five ways you can prepare for retirement to ensure you are on the right track.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Identify Your Personal Retirement Goals

Gain financial expertise on achieving your retirement goals.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

SECURE ACT: How It Impacts Your Retirement

See how changes to retirement saving laws could affect your plans.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Retirement Planning Mistakes

Avoid these mistakes when planning for retirement, investing and saving for your 401(k).

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Financial Guidance Article

Boost Retirement Savings

Tips to help boost your retirement savings

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Retirement Plan Contributions

Learn how to choose an investment plan that does the best job of supporting your financial future.

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IRA

Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

What To Know About IRA Investing

Investing in an IRA can be smart way to supplement your existing retirement plan.

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Financial Guidance Article

IRA vs. 401(k)

Learn more about what retirement accounts to consider for retirement savings contributions.

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Financial Guidance Article

Understanding IRAs

An IRA can be the ideal way to save for your retirement.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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401(k)

Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Maximizing 401(k) Contributions

Learn strategies to make the most of your 401(k) contributions.

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Financial Guidance Article

Common 401(k) Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid a lot of 401(k) mistakes investors make when choosing their investments.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

What To Do After Automatic 401(k) Enrollment

Manage your 401(k) retirement savings after enrollment with these tips.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

How To Manage Your 401(k) When You Switch Jobs

Learn your 401(k) options after leaving a job.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Facing a Layoff

Assess your retirement savings and determine how to use it for the future.

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Investing

Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Investment Glossary: Common Investing Terms and What They Mean

Understanding these terms may help you become a more confident investor.

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Financial Guidance Article

Your Guide to Asset Allocation

Learn how asset allocation might help you balance potential financial risks while pursuing potential returns.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

ESG and Impact Investing: Do Investors Know the Difference?

Discover investment strategies that could preserve the planet and improve society.

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Financial Guidance Article

Investing Made Easy: Start Small

Explore four focus areas to help you on your investing journey.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

The Remarkable Rise of ESG Investing

Learn how environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment processes and decision-making.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Navigating Market Volatility and Opportunity

Get tips to stay disciplined through periods of volatility.

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Financial Guidance Article

Market Volatility Can Create Mixed Emotions

Review ways to prepare your finances for the unknowns.

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Financial Guidance Article

What To Do When Facing a Bear Market

Review common steps investors take when faced with a declining stock market.

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Financial Guidance Article

Year-End Tax Planning Tips

Year-end tax planning tips to help you navigate capital gains, losses and income tax.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Investment Rates of Return

The stock market has historically gained in value year over year. But by how much?

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Financial Guidance Article

Begin Investing While You're Young

You’re never too young to start building an investment portfolio.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Investing in an Election Year

Learn what you need to know when investing during an election year.

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Financial Guidance Article

Tax Strategies for Investing

Grow your money tax-free with tips on investing using tax-deferral strategies.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

What are Mutual Funds

A Mutual fund is a professionally managed investment account which combines money from multiple investors.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Investing For Major Financial Goals

Consider these tips when planning to invest in major financial goals.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Planning

Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Six Ways To Help Improve Your Financial Literacy

Learn proactive ways to help improve your financial awareness.

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Financial Guidance Article

Seven Investment Strategies To Turn Into a Habit

Explore seven investment strategies that could become habits.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Money Milestones: Four Financial Goals for Older Individuals

Working toward new financial goals might help ease your retirement worries.

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Financial Guidance Article

The Benefits of Getting a Second Financial Opinion

Learn why you might benefit from a second financial opinion.

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Financial Guidance Article

The Secure 2.0 Act Guide

Learn how the SECURE Act 2.0 will affect your financial and retirement objectives.

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Financial Guidance Article

Your Tax Prep Checklist

Get the key information you might need when preparing for this year's taxes.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

The Importance of Financial Planning

A financial plan might provide benefits at just about every life stage.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

Three Financial Planning Steps

Learn the three steps of financial planning that could help you get your finances on track.

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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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Financial Guidance Article

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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*Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. BECU and BECU Investment Services are not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using BECU Investment Services, and may also be employees of BECU. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, BECU or BECU Investment Services. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

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Not Credit Union Deposits or Obligations
May Lose Value


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