The Investment Center - Heidi Strutz

06/24/2026

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and deductibles for the upcoming year.

Here's a look at the new figures:
▪️Part B premium: $202.90 per month (previously $185)
▪️Part B deductible: $283 (previously $257) before Original Medicare begins covering services.
▪️Part A inpatient deductible: $1,736 (previously $1,676)

These updates take effect in January and reflect the latest adjustments from CMS. Individuals enrolled in Medicare may notice changes in their monthly costs or coverage details for the upcoming year.

06/22/2026

Use your Health Savings Account (HSA) as a retirement account? Absolutely! Unlike all other retirement accounts, HSA contributions AND withdrawals are never taxed. And any unused funds can be used in retirement to pay for medical expenses.

Thanks to its unique tax advantages, an HSA may be the best retirement option you never knew you had. Here's how to take advantage if you qualify for one.

06/19/2026

Our freedoms remain vital. Wishing you a joyful Juneteenth as we mark the end of slavery in the United States.

06/15/2026

One investment choice that can be used to address your investment goals is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). It can offer the flexibility of stocks with the diversification benefits of mutual funds. Take a closer look.

ETFs can be an excellent entry point into the stock market for new investors. Here’s how to identify the best ETFs, then buy them in just a few steps.

06/11/2026

Find your row first, then look one row up.

That's the difference starting 5 years earlier can make.

At a hypothetical 8% annual return, the difference between starting at 40 vs. 35 on a $500/month contribution is over $200,000 by the time you reach 65. Not because of more money—just more time.

Time in the market is not just valuable, it's the whole game.

Which row did you land on—and did it surprise you?

06/08/2026

Mutual funds provide a diversified way to invest in the stock market. They essentially pool investor money together to purchase a collection of securities. This allows you to benefit from market gains while adding protection against losses.

Learn about mutual funds, including how they work, NAV, types (index, bond, target-date), pros and cons, and how to choose the best option for your goals.

06/07/2026

06/01/2026

Bonds can play a big role in a well-balanced investment portfolio. Why? Because they can help balance out risk over time. But there are many to choose from and their risks vary. Test your bond knowledge!

A bond, offered by most brokerage platforms, is a fixed-income investment issued by a borrower to an investor with regular interest payments to the bondholder.

05/26/2026

While stocks introduce a different level of risk into a portfolio, they can be an integral part of a sound investing strategy. There are different kinds of stocks to invest in with different levels of risk. Learn more about them here!

Learn how to invest in stocks with this comprehensive beginner’s guide. Discover the essential steps, tips, and strategies to start growing your wealth today.

05/25/2026