Retirement

Displaying 11717 results
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 31, 2014
Fixed-annuity sales driven by frustration with low interest rates, thirst for income

Fixed-annuity sales in the third quarter reached their highest level since 2009, topping $22 billion. That number represents a 31% rise from the previous quarter and more than a 35% increase from the same period last year.

By MDURISIN
TAX JAN 31, 2014
Tax traps to avoid for year-end charitable donations

Major changes that kicked in this year, thanks to the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, likely will result in increased interest in charitable giving by clients interested in softening the bite of even higher brackets on income and capital gains taxes. As a refresher, the highest income tax rate rose in 2013 to 39.6%, while the highest capital gains rate is now 20%. To make things even more interesting, ATRA has also established a net investment income tax of 3.8%.

By Darla Mercado
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT JAN 30, 2014
Health savings accounts gain in popularity

They're a great way to save on federal taxes, but state treatments differ widely.

By Darla Mercado
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 30, 2014
Doing complex Medicare and tax bracket math

Just as advisers have to become experts in learning the best Social Security claiming strategies, they need to learn how Medicare and tax rules could affect their clients' bottom line in retirement.

By MFXFeeder
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 30, 2014
Finra cautions investors to be careful with IRA rollovers, notes that adviser fees can hurt returns

Don't move funds based solely on the word 'free,' regulator says.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES JAN 30, 2014
House approves bill to streamline insurance licensing

Advisers registered in one state could join new organization and sell insurance in other states.

By Mark Schoeff Jr.
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 30, 2014
Surprise! Obama revisits estate tax exemption

Fiscal cliff agreement on exemption jettisoned in budget proposal; financial planners scrambling

By John Goff
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 29, 2014
IRA conversions surge ahead of tax break end

More Americans than ever converted their tax-deferred IRAs into Roth plans in 2010, led by IRA holders with annual incomes exceeding $1 million. Advisers successfully pitched the switch as a pay now, save later strategy.

By Gregory Crawford
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 27, 2014
How credits accrue, but don't compound, when you delay Social Security

Future cost-of-living adjustments applied to larger base benefit

By Mary Beth Franklin
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 27, 2014
Advisers weigh in on income disparity

Financial planners share their concerns and actions for mitigating a slow-growth economy and the general trend of wage stagnation.

By CNELSON
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 27, 2014
Don't overlook planning for health care during retirement

Financial planning practices are on a collision course with skyrocketing retirement health care costs, which could lead to higher-than-expected health care costs during retirement.

By Mary Beth Franklin
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 27, 2014
Health care knowledge boosts your value

By MFXFeeder
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 27, 2014
Paying more upfront

By Richard F. Stolz
IRA ALERT JAN 26, 2014
New IRS rules on hard-to-value IRAs

By Ed Slott
Hurried trip down the aisle nixes widow's survivor benefits
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 23, 2014
Hurried trip down the aisle nixes widow's survivor benefits

Waiting until age 60 or later to remarry preserves Social Security benefits.

By Mary Beth Franklin
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 23, 2014
Have the courage to talk about LTC

It's a tough discussion that's not going away. It's only going to get tougher.

By MFXFeeder
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 22, 2014
BlackRock creates U.S. retirement group led by Chip Castille

He will remain head of the DC business; Bruce Wolfe is COO of new business.

By CODONNELL
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 22, 2014
Fidelity playing catch up with ETFs as chief Johnson remains quiet

Mutual fund giant seeing fees, assets decline but 401(k) business strong

By Gregory Crawford
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 21, 2014
Heading down the aisle? Insist on a prenup

Premarital agreements are on the rise, and they're no longer just for the wealthy

By Liz Skinner
Social Security begins paying survivor benefits to same-sex married couples
RETIREMENT PLANNING JAN 21, 2014
Social Security begins paying survivor benefits to same-sex married couples

To qualify for survivor's benefits, spouses must have been married nine months, except under certain conditions.

By Mary Beth Franklin