Retirement & Financial Planning Report

Payable on death (POD) bank accounts may come in handy. A POD beneficiary (and the beneficiary’s creditors) has no access …More

If you’re setting up a trust to help someone who’s disabled, you may want to preserve the trust beneficiary’s eligibility …More

When you invest in mutual funds through a broker (or another advisor who receives commissions): Class A shares carry the …More

Although they offer principal protection, 529 prepaid tuition plans have certain shortcomings, as compared with 529 savings plans: Tuition-only. Money …More

Some foreign mutual funds emphasize certain regions of the world. You can bet on a surge in Latin American stocks, …More

In order to take a home office deduction, a portion of your home must be used “regularly and exclusively” as …More

In order to claim a parent or another elderly relative as a dependent on your tax return, several tests must …More

Although creditor protection for 529 college savings plans has been a matter of state law, federal legislation might become another …More

The traditional trust arrangement relies upon an old-fashioned sense of wealth dating back to the days when wealth was largely …More

Here are five reasons why you should have a significant foreign stock investment: Over 43 percent of the world’s stock …More

Rule Number One for mutual fund investors is to buy inexpensive funds. Most investors are very cost-conscious when it comes …More

Compared with regular (“open-ended”) mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are extremely tax-efficient because they rarely make capital gains distributions to …More

Most couples title the bulk of their assets in their joint names. Unfortunately, if assets are held in this manner, …More

In some situations, you may be able to claim a parent as a dependent. Also, you might claim that a …More

After an extended bear market, most stock funds now have unrealized losses, not gains. Thus, you can buy such funds …More

Special needs trusts are increasingly popular. For the first time in history, many disabled children are likely to outlive their …More

Assets held in a child’s name can qualify for low tax rates but the money must be held in a …More

Parents of a student who wants to receive a federal loan or scholarship must submit a Free Application for Student …More

Naming a trust as IRA beneficiary may protect your IRA from creditors, long after your death, if proper language is …More

Tax advantages make U.S. savings bonds extremely appealing. As is the case with all Treasury securities, the interest is exempt …More

A higher credit score can mean lower costs for your home mortgage, auto insurance, and homeowner’s insurance. To send your …More

If you have (1) appreciated securities, (2) a need for greater cash flow, and (3) charitable inclination, consider a charitable …More

If you use publicly traded options to lower the risk of owning stocks, the dividends you collect may not be …More

Your children can be tax shelters. In 2003, you can deduct $3,050 for each dependent you claim. Each dependent, then, …More

Are the assets in your IRA protected from creditors? They may be, under state law. Indeed, even your beneficiaries might …More

To make the most of the kiddie tax, you can provide children under age 14 with enough assets to earn …More

Many couples think that they are doing well if they live within their means. In reality, it’s vital that a …More

A common estate planning strategy is to create an irrevocable trust to hold life insurance. Typically, the trustee will use …More

Why hold foreign stocks in your portfolio? Over 40 percent of the world’s stock market value is outside of the …More

Under the federal financial aid formula, parent-owned accounts in a 529 savings program have very little impact on student eligibility …More