Retirement & Financial Planning Report

The stock market had its worst year in three decades in 2002, with the average U.S. diversified stock fund losing …More

Financially, it may make sense to sell high (an appreciated residence) and buy low (stocks that have been clawed by …More

The start of a year is a good time to review and rebalance your investment portfolio. What should you look …More

Buying an immediate annuity may help reduce the tax on your Social Security retirement benefits, which you’ll probably begin receiving …More

Can you make a tax-free withdrawal from a 529 plan for qualified education expenses incurred before you set up the …More

If your child goes away to college, consider buying a house near the campus. Possible benefits: cost savings, tax breaks, …More

When you’re shopping for long-term care (LTC) insurance, here are the five key points: The daily or monthly benefit. Your …More

Are you looking for a nursing home for an aging parent or some other loved one? You can get quality …More

High-yield (“junk”) bonds may offer good opportunities now. Their yields are attractive, compared with the yields on high-quality bonds, and …More

When turmoil roils the Middle East, oil supplies may be disrupted. After the Shah of Iran was deposed in 1978, …More

The U.S. Commerce Department reports that business spending on technology grew for the third straight quarter, in the third quarter …More

While your New Year’s resolutions are still fresh, resolve to take these steps: Pay off your credit card balances. Do …More

Tax returns filed online may be more accurate than paper returns. Filing electronically assures that the return you submit to …More

As you look ahead to filing your tax returns for 2002, remember that for someone who has a fairly simple …More

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) start out with a low rate but they adjust each year, tracking interest rates. Generally, the upfront …More

If you retire early, doing some part-time work will put a dent in your Social Security benefits. From age 62 …More

Donating a conservation easement–restricting future development on land you own–involves tradeoffs. Advantages: You usually do not have to allow public …More

If you’re a collector, keep good records so you know your basis for each item. Casualty-loss deductions. In case of …More

When you shop for a mortgage today you can choose among mortgages of different lengths. 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. With these …More

After losing 9 percent in 2000 and 12 percent in 2001, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is down about …More

Young retirees are the ones most likely to need investment income. After age 70-1/2, minimum distributions from IRAs are required, …More

Some careful planning may reduce or even eliminate the taxes on your Social Security benefits. To determine this tax, you …More

If you don’t have loss carry-forwards, you’re starting with a clean slate this year. In that case, your goal is …More

The tax code permits you to deduct up to $3,000 worth of net capital losses each year but excess losses …More

If you’re a condo owner you’re a homeowner so you need a homeowner’s insurance policy. However, you need to make …More

At year-end, you should go over all your itemized deductions. Medical expenses are deductible only to the extent they exceed …More

If you’re making 20 gifts of $250 each to various charities, you probably won’t want to go through all the …More

Look to your portfolio for your year-end charitable gifts. Instead of cash, give away appreciated securities. As long as you’ve …More

If you have invested in a 529 plan that emphasizes stocks, chances are that your account value is down. Thus, …More

If you invest in a business that fails, you can get a capital loss in the year that your stake …More