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Darla Mercado

Darla Mercado writes about retirement issues and products, including taxes, annuities and 401(k) plans. She welcomes feedback and tips from readers on interesting topics. Outside of the newsroom, Darla spends her time inline skating, biking, running and swimming. She Tweets at: @Darla_Mercado

Displaying 965 results

Topic

Rising rates no cause for alarm: Nuveen’s Bob Doll

Fidelity's te Wildt says Fed will hike slowly, warns advisers on unconstrained bond funds.

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401(k) bond funds get a makeover

The once sleepy side of the retirement plan fund menu now features a variety of choices.

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Pivotal 401(k) fee lawsuit in front of Supreme Court means big changes for plan advisers

Regardless of how the high court rules, ongoing investment monitoring will be here to stay.

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IRA incentives help savers, but they need to keep a close eye on fees

The programs, including one launched last week by Fidelity, won't make everyday investors millionaires, but they help

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Spring variable annuity prospectuses and updates are here

First quarter regulatory filings suggest that insurers aren't ramping up big new product releases but hybrid annuites appear to be making a comeback, with Voya charging back into the market.

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Transamerica offers legacy variable annuity clients a buyout

This offer affects more than 30 types of variable annuity contracts issued by the insurer

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Interest rate increases: A boon for senior savers and a disaster for variable-rate borrowers

Don't forget that a spike in rates will hurt ARM mortgages, HELOCs and variable-rate student loans.

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Intra-family loans: Not your ordinary wealth transfer strategy

The formal agreements are another way to take advantage of low interest rates

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Intra-family loans: Not your ordinary wealth transfer strategy

Another way to take advantage of low interest rates.

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Line-by-line: Opportunities lie in your clients’ income tax return

Though the individual income tax return is a window into the past, what it reveals can shape savings and investment strategies into the future. Advisers can mine the 1040 for information and savings ideas for clients.