1st Quarter 2008

Use Your Tax Rebate to Improve Your Finances

Most Americans will get a happy surprise in their mailboxes — or their bank accounts — before mid July: cash from Uncle Sam. The Economic Stimulus Act will give most single people a $600 rebate and most married couples $1,200. Parents will get an extra $300 for every dependent child under age 17. (The rebate starts to phase out for single taxpayers whose 2007 adjusted gross income is more than $75,000; the squeeze starts at $150,000 for joint filers.) Most people don't need to do anything to get the money other than file a 2007 tax return.

Here are four ways to stretch your rebate check:

1 Increase your retirement savings. If you're not maxing out your 457, let the extra cash move you closer to that goal. A great thing about saving pre-tax dollars in a 457 plan is that the government's help eases the sting of setting aside money.

How to Track Down Lost Cash

Does the government owe you money? Federal and state governments are sitting on billions of dollars in unclaimed assets.

Five Ways to Revive Your Credit Score

Even if your credit score has taken a hit, a few key moves can help bring it back — and help you get better rates on a mortgage, credit cards, other loans, and even your car insurance.

What Are the Guidelines for Using the Catch-Up Provisions in My 457 Plan?

Participants in 457 plans can use two types of catch-up provisions to increase their retirement savings.

Investing Spotlight

When you invest regularly in a retirement-savings plan, like a 457 or 401 plan, you may have an advantage over many other investors during periods of market volatility.

Around ICMA-RC

Learn more about two new Vantagepoint funds and ICMA-RC's new Invest Smart tools to help you invest for retirement.

Participants May Benefit from Fund Family Settlement

Some ICMA-RC participants may benefit from a settlement in which the Securities and Exchange Commission resolved an administrative action involving the Massachusetts Financial Services Company (MFS) and several other fund families.

A New Way to Protect Yourself from ID Theft

Checking your credit report and credit-card accounts can help you spot identity theft — but only after you've become a victim.

Market View: 40 Years of Stock Market Performance

Investing with an appropriately long time horizon and not attempting to time the market has served to benefit most retirement-plan investors. See a chart that reflects 40 years of history for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, as well as some of the major events that have occurred in the economy and securities markets during those years.

Cut Insurance Costs for Teenage Drivers

If you have a teenager, you are probably paying huge auto insurance premiums. A few steps can lower your rate.