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• JPMorgan's Earnings Rise
• Yields Drop After Inflation Data Disappoints
• Mortgage Rates Get a Boost

What can you tell me about the flu shots for seniors? I became ill last winter after getting a standard flu shot and am wondering if there is a flu vaccine for older adults that would provide better protection this year. There are actually two different types of flu shots designed specifically for people age 65 and older: the Fluzone High Dose and FLUAD. These FDA approved vaccines are designed to offer extra protection beyond a standard flu shot. This is important for older adults who have weaker immune defenses and greater risk of developing flu complications. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the flu puts more than 200,000 people in the hospital each year and kills approximately 24,000 people. Eighty percent of those who die from flu complications are seniors. While these senior-specific flu shots cannot guarantee that you may avoid the flu...
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As the House Ways and Means Committee staff continues to draft a massive tax reform bill, a new proposal could expand charitable giving. This week, Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC) introduced the Universal Charitable Deduction Act (UCDA). The UCDA proposes allowing "above the line" charitable deductions in an amount equal to up to one third of the new standard deduction. If the standard deduction is increased from $12,700 for married couples to a proposed level of $24,000, then couples who take the standardized deduction could also deduct up to $8,000 in charitable gifts. The deduction limits are lower for single persons, but they also would be able to take both the standard deduction and charitable gift deduction. With the existing standard deduction, about 30% of taxpayers itemize and may deduct cash gifts each year up to 50% of adjusted gross income. However, the proposed tax bill would...
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Each year, IRA and 401(k)s are subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs). Because the distributions start at just...
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