The survey, which polled 9,658 US employees between December 2021 and January 2022, found that 44% of workers are “job seekers”. Of this figure, 33% are active job seekers who looked for new roles in the fourth quarter of 2021. Meanwhile, 11% of this figure planned to seek out new roles in the first quarter of 2022. 

The Great Resignation has proven a significant issue for US employers since spring 2021 when the economy began to recover as the worst of the coronavirus pandemic passed and demand for workers grew. In January 2022, 4.3 million Americans quit or changed their jobs, while employers reported 11.3 million job openings for the month.  

“It is, by many measures, the tightest labour market ever,” said Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter. “Employers are having to play tug-of-war to get half an employee.”

“Flexibility and remote work are becoming more important [...] We’re already seeing that when asked to come back to the office, people are bolting to the exits in search of fully remote opportunities.”

Amid spiralling inflation, over half of  the workers surveyed cited pay as a top reason for seeking out a new job. The survey revealed that 41% of employees would leave their current position for a 5% pay increase.

Powell’s vow comes less than a week after the Federal Reserve upped interest rates for the first time since 2018 in a bid to tackle inflation that is at its highest level in four decades. 

On Monday, Powell reiterated the position the Federal Open Market Committee made in its post-meeting statement, stating that interest rate hikes would continue until inflation is once again under control. Powell said that, if necessary, increases could be even higher than the quarter-percentage point move approved in the meeting. 

“We will take the necessary steps to ensure a return to price stability,” Powell said. “In particular, if we conclude that it is appropriate to move more aggressively by raising the federal funds rate by more than 25 basis points at a meeting or meetings, we will do so. And if we determine that we need to tighten beyond common measures of neutral and into a more restrictive stance, we will do that as well.”

When asked whether there would be a European ban on oil imports from Russia, Johnson replied, "There are different dependencies in different countries, and we have to be mindful of that, and you can't simply close down the use of oil and gas overnight even from Russia.”

"We can go fast in the UK...what we need to do is to make sure we are all moving the same direction... and that we accelerate that move and I think that's what you are going to see."

The UK prime minister also said that the government must ensure a substitute supply, though warned that impacts to the UK population can be expected. 

Johnson’s announcement follows on from previous remarks from Europe minister James Cleverly who said that the UK will consider banning Russian oil imports as the US moves to do so.

Soon after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he had authorised a “special military operation”, explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and the Ukrainian government accused Russia of launching a full-scale invasion. 

In response to Moscow’s actions, the United States and its allies are set to impose “severe sanctions.”

In a statement, US President Joe Biden said: “I’m going to begin to impose sanctions in response, far beyond the steps we and our Allies and partners implemented in 2014.  And if Russia goes further with this invasion, we stand prepared to go further as — with sanction.”

“Who in the Lord’s name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries on territory that belonged to his neighbors?  This is a flagrant violation of international law, and it demands a firm response from the international community.”

Following Russia’s invasion, the Euro Stoxx futures and German DAX futures were down over 3.5% in early deals, while FTSE futures were 2% lower. Meanwhile, S&P 500 e-minis dropped 2.3% and Nasdaq futures fell 2.8%. 

On Thursday, the Moscow Exchange said it was suspending all trading. 

The figure is by far the highest tally since the census bureau began to survey employee sicknesses in April 2020. The most recent survey, conducted between December 29 and January 10, includes employees who called in sick after testing positive for Covid-19 as well as those who have had to take time off to care for others infected with the virus.  

The previous record high was recorded in January 2021, when 6.6 million Americans called in sick from coronavirus before vaccines were made widely available. 

Omicron’s impact on the US labour market comes at a time when employers are struggling to find staff across all sectors. On top of this, “The Great Resignation” has continued to maintain a steady pace with an increasing number of employees feeling dissatisfied with their current roles. In November 2021, 4.5 million people quit their jobs in the US — the highest number on record. 

In recent weeks, labour shortages have severely impacted a number of industries including trucking, air travel, food sales, and essential services such as policing and waste collection. 

Consider Several Factors

When choosing a US-registered forex broker, you should take into account several factors. It is important to remember that a US brokerage must have a minimum of $20 million in capital. Moreover, the leverage they can offer must be limited to one currency pair. Furthermore, they cannot use hedging strategies and can only have the leverage of 1:1000. They must also be registered with the National Futures Association or the CFTC. Moreover, you should look for an approved US Forex brokerage.  The best US Forex brokers are regulated by the NFA and the CTFC. You should always look for the US-registered forex brokerage with the best commission rates. They will help you to make a wise decision. You can even opt for a Canadian-registered broker.

US Registered Brokers

If you are a beginner, you should check out a few US-registered brokers before making a decision. They should be regulated by the NFA. If they are, they will also be listed on the American regulatory agency's website. You should look into the terms of the license, which is required to join this particular broker. You should not worry about the future of the currency. There is no reason not to try a US-registered forex brokerage.

Benefits Of Choosing A US-Registered Broker

There are many benefits of choosing a US-registered broker. You can choose from an exchange-traded fund or a future option. If you want to invest in a forex exchange, you can find brokers who accept US clients. There are a few major advantages to using a US-registered broker: First, it's possible to make money with a US-registered broker. The US regulators will certify your account with a recognised financial institution.

Use Of Leverage

The US-registered forex broker is subject to stringent rules regarding the use of leverage. Because they don't have to meet strict regulatory requirements, US-registered brokers don't have to invest their money in a particular currency. Instead, they don't have to worry about being registered with a foreign exchange company. If you're an American citizen, you can trade in a US-registered Forex broker.

Customer Service

US-based Forex brokers have better customer service than foreign-registered forex brokers. The NFA has strict regulations that foreign forex brokers have to adhere to. A US-registered broker must accept payments in the US dollar. The NFA is not required to do this, but it does not charge you a fee. There's no requirement to be registered with a US-based broker to trade in the country. If you're moving to the US, you can use a USA-based broker.

Registration

The US has strict regulations of Forex brokers. A US-registered broker must meet strict rules regarding their operations. If you're not registered in a US-registered broker, you're not allowed to invest in their account. Aside from that, US-registered brokers must have RFED registration to conduct business in the United States. In addition, a US-registered forex brokerage should have a US-registered entity.

CFTC - The CFTC regulates forex brokers in the US. In the past, there was no CFTC-registered broker. Now, the CFTC has regulated the industry. Currently, more than 40 retail FX brokers in the US serve their international clients. Its jurisdiction is broadened due to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act. Although the CFTC is a nonprofit organisation, the commission has the power to penalise a broker if it has committed fraud.

CFTC is not regulated in the US, but it is regulated in the EU. Unlike foreign brokers, a US-registered forex brokerage must be registered in a country that complies with the regulations. Its licensing requirements may be higher than in the EU, but these requirements are lower than in other countries. The Dodd-Frank Act is designed to protect consumers by regulating the industry. A regulated US-registered forex broker will also be a transparent and well-regulated one.

New US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chief Gary Gensler took over the role in April and has since expressed that he wants to see more regulation of cryptocurrency in order to protect consumers. Gensler says that the nation has a duty to protect investors against fraud. 

Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at Avatrade, has pinned bitcoin’s price drop on Gensler’s recent comments. Just before 9am in London, bitcoin was down 3.8% to $38,587. The drop saw a return to levels seen last Friday, before a weekend rally pushed bitcoin over the closely-watched figure of $40,000. 

As he is one of the very few experts on cryptocurrencies amongst international financial regulators, Gensler had been marked as a potential booster for the industry by cryptocurrency enthusiasts. As such, the drop in bitcoin comes as a particular disappointment to many.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning of the impact that the UK’s strict border controls is having on the country’s economic recovery. 

Last month, England lifted the requirement for fully vaccinated citizens to complete the quarantine period when returning from medium-risk destinations. From 2 August, visitors from the EU and US with the same vaccine status will also be exempt from the quarantine period. However, travellers are still required to take costly tests before departure and soon after arrival. Sunak’s letter to the Prime Minister comes ahead of Thursday’s meeting of ministers to consider changes to the current coronavirus travel restrictions. However, many believe that the restrictions should remain in place to prevent a further increase in cases or the outbreak of a new variant. 

Shane Neagle explains how trading forex with bitcoin works.

Bitcoin has evolved to be an outstanding speculative investment, capable of delivering lavish returns. It is the most widely traded cryptocurrency, and given its volatility, one of the most attractive options for day traders. All around, Bitcoin has managed to draw the attention of numerous forex brokers, and is widely available to be traded as part of the BTC/USD currency pair.

Bitcoin Legality by Jurisdiction

Bitcoin is a decentralised peer-to-peer digital currency, implying that it is not issued, regulated, or backed by any central bank—which is a stark contrast compared to the world’s leading fiat currencies. Despite its broad use-case, Bitcoin is still largely unregulated internationally. 

However, certain countries have enacted a variable amount of regulatory oversight regarding Bitcoin, while some have even proceeded to grant it legal status. In some parts of the world, Bitcoin is becoming more accessible, with certain small business payments software facilitating payments in Bitcoin. In other areas of the globe, Bitcoin faces an outright ban. In this sense, the extent to which one can use Bitcoin when trading forex will largely depend on the applicable regulatory jurisdiction.

The United States

In the United States, there are two bodies most concerned with Bitcoin: the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The SEC Chair has asserted that Bitcoin is not a security, while the CFTC, back in 2015, had classified it as a commodity. 

However, it is worth mentioning that due to the fragmented legal system in the US, there is both a federal law and a state law. While federal law generally supersedes state law, the latter can still vary drastically from state to state. For instance, back in 2014, Hawaii released a Bitcoin Warning, banning all Bitcoin transactions in the state. The state has since lifted the ban, yet continues to endure a more restrictive stance. 

On the flip side, states like Texas, California, Colorado, Ohio, and Wyoming have progressed to be exceptionally crypto-friendly. Just recently, Texas allowed banks in the state to store their clients' crypto assets. Likewise, in 2019, Colorado passed legislation to exempt cryptocurrencies from state securities laws under certain circumstances.

Other Countries

Canada, similar to the US, considers Bitcoin a commodity, viewing Bitcoin transactions as barter transactions. Russia, on the other hand, regards digital financial assets, which include Bitcoin, as property. In 2020, Russia had banned crypto from being used as a payment method. Earlier this year however, the country partially lifted this ban and allowed for crypto to be used as a “contractual” payment. The United Kingdom also considers cryptocurrencies as property.

China started an aggressive crackdown on cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin this year. Consequently, the country has banned its citizens from trading virtual currencies. Moreover, China has also banned financial institutions and payment firms from providing services to crypto-related companies.

Iran, just recently, drafted a law that prohibits crypto to be used as a means of payment. However, the country aims to support crypto mining and bring regulations to its domestic exchange market. 

El Salvador is the only country that considers Bitcoin as a currency. In June 2021, the country's Congress voted Bitcoin as legal tender. As a consequence, El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as a national form of payment. 

Trading Bitcoin in the Forex Market

In general, a trader can use Bitcoin to participate in the forex market in two ways:

• Trade Bitcoin as part of a currency pair.
• Deposit Bitcoin to fund a trading account. 

Trading Bitcoin as part of a currency pair like BTC/USD is hypothetically similar to trading conventional forex currency pairs. In like manner, deals for buying and selling, stop loss, and take profit orders are placed.

However, due to Bitcoin's intrinsic features and the fact that it has been around for a considerably short time, in certain areas, Bitcoin emerges to be different from traditional currencies. 

For one, Bitcoins are created through mining and have a controlled supply which cannot be altered. This eliminates the possibility of a sudden increase in supply, which would decrease the value of a Bitcoin. On the contrary, fiat currencies are subject to the supply uncertainty originating from central banks.

Moreover, Bitcoin’s total supply is limited to 21 million, and its value is associated with the fundamentals of the crypto market — not a specific country, economy, or central bank. On the other hand, currencies are largely reliant on central banks. Thus, a shift in monetary policy can cause notable swings in currency prices.

Nonetheless, there are limited derivatives and other paper contracts around Bitcoin. A number of brokers are creating new contracts to allow investors to buy Bitcoin on margin, still, such contracts are very bounded. In contrast, currency traders can benefit from the abundance of over-the-counter (OTC) contracts and boost their leverage using the extensive list of contracts. 

Finally, another major contrast between Bitcoin and Forex is the subject of liquidity. Bitcoin’s market cap is currently estimated at $650 billion, while forex is a $6 trillion market. Naturally, this implies that there is substantially more liquidity in the forex market and that Bitcoin is subject to a volatile trading atmosphere.

Forex Brokers vs. Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Numerous forex brokers including AvaTrade, eToro, and LiteForex do offer Bitcoin trading. However, many brokers are limited to offer contracts for difference (CFDs). Considering CFDs are not allowed in the US, Americans should be heedful of the possible legal implications. 

Moreover, given that the world’s trusted forex trading platforms are not Bitcoin-based, they are most likely to go through a traditional cryptocurrency exchange. Subsequently, this raises the question of whether these brokers do anything other than allow users to trade Bitcoin through existing crypto exchanges.

Bearing these points in mind, it would be more beneficial for investors to trade Bitcoin using a traditional cryptocurrency exchange — at least until forex brokers grow more prosperous in their Bitcoin offerings. Still, it is worth mentioning that not all crypto exchanges offer cheap trades. 

For instance, Coinbase, which is the most recognized cryptocurrency exchange across the US, happens to be among the most expensive exchanges. Coinbase can charge a trader up to 3 distinct fees in a single trade. When comparing Coinbase with eToro in terms of fees, eToro turns out to be cheaper. 

However, another crypto exchange, Binance.US, can be cheaper than almost all brokers. Binance.US charges a flat 0.1% spot trading fee. In comparison, eToro charges about 0.75% for Bitcoin trades, and Coinbase charges 0.5% for trading fees plus a flat fee of up to $2.99 per trade. Further, Binance.US charges no fee for cash deposits or withdrawals by ACH bank transfers.

On Monday, Goldman Sachs announced it has launched its transaction bank in Britain, despite the US banking giant previously warning that a troublesome Brexit would negatively impact its funding in the nation. After launching the business in the US last year, Goldman Sachs is keen to expand as it seeks stable sources of revenue beyond its investment banks.

Goldman Sachs has said its US transaction banking business has already attracted over 250 clients since June last year. The company has seen over $35 billion in deposits and has had trillions processed through its systems. Goldman Sachs is excited to bring transaction banking to the UK as it expands its client reach.

The US banking giant is attempting to compete with rivals such as JPMorgan, which already offers a wide selection of services to corporate clients. Goldman Sachs hopes to attract clients who are currently using older systems to its new digital cash management systems.

It can be argued that “modern trust law” was born in 1983 when South Dakota – the first state in the US to do so – abolished the rule against perpetuity, creating the dynasty trust, a powerful trust planning tool allowing assets to remain in trust over multiple generations, conceivably avoiding federal estate tax forever. South Dakota’s move to “modernise” US trust law prompted a race among certain states to ascend as a “top tier” trust jurisdiction, resulting in a proliferation of progressive modern trust laws around asset protection, privacy, sophisticated tax planning strategies, and planning tools to deliver far more direction and control to families with regard to important aspects of trust administration over generations through the directed trust and trust protector concepts.

The Directed Trust

Academics and advisers agree that, in many ways, the directed trust revolutionised the US trust industry by unbundling fiduciary functions, particularly asset management and trust administration, allowing settlors of trusts, their families, and advisers far more control over investment and distribution decisions, while removing clear conflicts of interest that exist in the traditional model.

Only a handful of states have directed trust statutes that essentially bifurcate fiduciary roles, allowing settlors of trusts, family members, and trusted advisers to serve as the Investment Committee, directing investment decisions including asset manager selection. The structure also allows the settlor to select a Distribution Committee which can be comprised of disinterested family members and trust advisers. These two committees essentially direct the trustee as to both investment and distribution decisions, allowing families to exercise a great deal of control and direction over important aspects of trust administration.

The Trust Protector

The trust protector – often used in conjunction with the directed trust and referred to as a super trustee – delivers great control to settlors of trusts, beneficiaries, and their advisers. The inclusion of a trust protector allows the settlor, beneficiaries, and their advisers to modify and control many important aspects of the trust and provide direction to the trustee with respect to investment management, jurisdiction, and trust distributions. The trust protector concept enhances the control aspects of the directed trust because it provides for direction or restraint of powers of the trustee.

Some of the reasons why a settlor may wish to appoint a trust protector include:

• The inclusion of a trust protector provides a great degree of flexibility when dealing with changes in circumstances, including both factual circumstances (death, premature divorce, previously unknown children) and legal changes (any legal changes, but most frequently changes to applicable revenue laws);
• Settlor may be concerned that the trustee may not pay sufficient attention to his wishes;
• Settlor wishes certain powers to be withheld from the trustees; or
• Settlor wishes a third party to act as a main point of contact between the beneficiaries and the trustees.

Domestic Asset Protection

Domestic asset protection trusts – available only in a small number of states – are a formidable planning strategy that legally shields assets from third-party liability (including spouses in a divorce proceeding) and lawsuits while permitting settlors to retain some control over the trust assets and enjoy a discretionary benefit during their lifetime.

A domestic asset protection trust is fully discretionary, meaning settlors can receive financial benefit from the trust (income and discretionary principal distributions) and protect trust assets from creditor claims and lawsuits while maintaining control over the investment management function through the directed trust structure. With its two-year “look back” fraudulent conveyance statute, South Dakota’s domestic asset protection statute is considered among the best in the nation.

Privacy (Not Secrecy)

Privacy has always been of paramount concern to wealthy families and is one of the primary reasons billions of dollars have been and are being moved into the US – and to South Dakota in particular – for trust administration from around the globe. South Dakota is considered to have the best trust privacy and quiet trust statutes in the US, as noted in a recent article appearing in Trusts & Estates Magazine, the January 2020 edition, wherein the authors, Daniel G. Worthington, Mark Merric, John E. Sullivan, and Ryan Thomas note: “Of the top tier trust jurisdictions, South Dakota has the best trust privacy laws.”

Privacy and South Dakota’s Total Seal

South Dakota’s privacy statute provides for a total seal forbidding the release of trust information including names of settlors, beneficiaries, and the contents of a trust to the public during litigation.

Quiet Trusts

South Dakota is universally considered by advisers and academics to have the most comprehensive and flexible quiet trust statute in the US, granting the settlor, trust protector, and the investment/distribution adviser the power to expand, restrict, eliminate, or modify the rights of the beneficiaries to discover information about a trust.

Fiscal Soundness

When selecting the proper trust jurisdiction, an often overlooked, but extremely important factor coming through the pandemic is a state’s fiscal soundness and economic stability. Currently, top tier trust jurisdictions like South Dakota have no state income tax which is one of the factors that renders the state so attractive to planners. However, there is no guarantee this will always be the case which is why evaluating the fiscal strength of a state when selecting a trust jurisdiction is essential. An objective evaluation, considering multiple factors, reveals that South Dakota is unequivocally the most fiscally sound of all the top tier trust jurisdictions.

Top Tier Trust Jurisdictions Compared

With regard to top tier trust jurisdiction comparisons, it is imperative that families and their advisers carefully consider analytic nuances of each state’s trust laws. “The devil is in the details” and this objective and well-researched chart comparing top tier US trust jurisdictions provides a clear comparison of modern trust law concepts.

As we continue to move through and out of the pandemic crisis and prepare for changes in the tax landscape, selecting proper trust jurisdiction has never been more important with respect to compelling tax planning opportunities, asset protection, privacy, fiscal soundness, and powerful modern trust laws, all delivering more direction and control to settlors of trusts, beneficiaries, and their advisers than ever before.

Bridgeford Trust Company is an independent trust company providing trust and fiduciary services to domestic and international families across the country and around the world. To learn more, visit their website at www.bridgefordtrust.com or contact their team at info@bridgefordtrust.com.

Allan started his career with a Big Four accountancy firm, where he spent 18 months on an assignment in Tokyo. When he joined Buzzacott, his focus moved away from the typical corporate engagements of the Big Four world, and onto a private client-oriented portfolio. His typical client now is the individual, rather than the employer, which is much more personal and means there’s a lot more he can do to help. We caught up with Allan to hear about how the pandemic, Brexit and the Biden-Harris administration have affected relocations to the UK and US.  

 How are recent events affecting relocations to the UK and the US?

The pandemic’s definitely diminished international travel at the moment, but it’s hard to say how the norms of travel and migration will be affected in the long-term. Now we‘re all used to having meetings remotely, it’s possible business travel will never quite get back to how it was. However, the vaccination programs are underway and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel (however distant it may be), so many people will be hoping to start booking flights again.

Brexit may cause a reduction in migrations to the UK from the European Union, but it’s possible this will be offset by increased migrations from other locations. Similarly, recent political developments in the US may have a long-term impact on the rate of migration there, but it’ll be interesting to see how things change under the new administration.

In any case, the enquiries keep coming in, and many people still see the UK and the US as places where they can build a great future for themselves and their families, whether temporarily or for the long-term. With some of the top schools and universities in the world, education is often a driver for families to relocate. Others are drawn by exciting opportunities for developing their businesses or careers in the great financial centres of London and New York, or in the tech hub of Silicon Valley.

How should individuals prepare for a move to the UK or the US from a tax perspective?

There’s a lot to consider before moving to a new location, and each person will have their own particular circumstances and objectives. It’s important to obtain detailed bespoke advice well before you become resident for tax purposes. Seeking advice at least three months before relocating is what we usually recommend, but preferably longer so you have time to implement the advice you’re given before it’s too late.

Firstly, you should understand exactly when tax residence is triggered so you can determine the date your planning needs to be completed. The US rules consider the number of days of physical presence over a three-year period, so if you’ve visited there before you relocate, this could bring forward the date that your residence begins. There’s also the ‘Green Card’ test. If you have a valid Green Card, you’ll become resident from the first date that you arrive in the US after the Green Card is issued.

The UK has a much more complex series of residence tests. As well as the number of days you’re present in the UK, you need to consider the number of ties you have - these are things like homeownership, family ties or time spent working in the UK. There’s also a distinction between domicile and residence which is important to factor in. ‘Domicile’ relates to your long-term home whereas ‘residence’ is much more about where you are right now.  If you have a domicile of origin in the UK, you will be taxable on your worldwide income and gains from the moment you become resident there but if you are non-UK domiciled, you may be able to spend a period of time in the UK with no tax on your offshore income and gains. If this is a possibility, you’ll benefit from specialist advice on how to arrange your affairs to utilise the opportunity.

After understanding your residence/domicile status, the remaining points to consider before relocating are:

• Do you have assets with unrealised gains that could be sold or rebased before you relocate or assets that would be taxed punitively after you relocate? Both the UK and the US have a tax on capital gains and they both have rules that target certain types of overseas investment, making them unsuitable once you become resident there.
• Do you own real estate in your country of origin and what do you intend to do with it when you move?

If you wish to sell property in your home country, it may be advisable to do so before moving. If you plan to keep the property and rent it out, you should consider how the rental income would be taxed in the UK or the US after you become resident there.

• Do you intend to work after moving and where will you be performing the duties of your employment? Consider how your income will be taxed, whether social security contributions may be payable by you and your employer, and what exemptions might be available with the right planning. If you own a business in your home country, the profits may become taxable in your new country of residence, regardless of whether you take a salary or dividends. With careful planning before you move, it may be possible to save some tax.
• Both the US and the UK have an estate tax. If your assets have a total market value on the date of your death exceeding any exemptions that may be available, your estate will be taxable. Currently, both jurisdictions levy a tax at 40% of the estate, which can significantly deplete the value of your assets as you pass them onto the next generation. For many, this will be the most important consideration for long-term tax planning.
• Are you the grantor/settlor or beneficiary of a trust? If so, you need to understand how trust income and gains are treated after you become resident and what tax-saving opportunities there may be with the right planning.
• Finally, you’ll probably need to file tax returns once you have relocated. This is likely to be complicated and it’s important to ensure you’re fully compliant to avoid significant penalty exposure.

What are the benefits of consulting an expatriate tax expert?

The above list is by no means exhaustive, but it covers most of the initial questions to ask yourself if you’re planning to move to the UK or the US. The answers to those questions may lead to further questions, and you might even end up uncovering your most important challenges as you discuss your relocation with your tax adviser. Also, even after your relocation, your circumstances or the tax rules could change, which is why it’s generally recommended you retain the ongoing services of a good tax adviser, who’ll be able to keep you in the know regarding any changes that might affect you.