Retirement & Financial Planning Report

A common tax planning practice is to make year-end prepayments of state and local taxes that would be due the …More

In 2002, contributions to a Roth IRA can be up to $3,000, versus $2,000 in 2001. That cap rises to …More

Yes, you can take advantage of the nine interest-rate cuts the Fed has implemented in 2001. Fixed-rate mortgages are at …More

Here’s a familiar scenario: your parents (or one parent) want to stay in their house, where they’re comfortable, but they …More

While stock markets typically decline in the face of such dramatic news as the attacks of September 11, such declines …More

If you’re getting rid of an old car, consider giving it to charity instead of using it as trade-in. This …More

If you’re planning to relocate in retirement, exercise caution. Some states protect IRAs, 401(k) accounts, etc., from creditors but others …More

If you’re planning to start a business in retirement . . . just do it. Preliminary start-up costs can’t be …More

You can gain substantial tax savings if you claim your parents as dependents, but it’s not easy to do. You …More

Investing in index funds is known as “passive” investing because you’re not relying upon a mutual fund manager who’s actively …More

If you’re betting, as they say, on hope rather than experience, take these steps to help things go better the …More

Looking for a way to give to disaster relief organizations that will help you, too? Donor-advised funds, long provided by …More

If you’re investing in municipal bonds or a muni fund for income, consider a closed-end muni fund instead. Such funds …More

A common estate planning strategy is to create a trust and have the trustee buy life insurance on the trust …More

We are currently producing a “no frills” special report “What All Americans Need to be Doing With Their Money Right …More

While the market is down, you might consider converting a regular IRA to a Roth IRA. You can do this …More

The alternative minimum tax (AMT) may become a major issue for investors. Back in 1987, only 140,000 personal tax returns …More

When you sell investment real estate, you may face a large tax bill. However, a property exchange under 1031 of …More

FEDweek is currently producing a “no frills” special report “What All Americans Need to be Doing With Their Money Right …More

In 1994 and 1999, Morgan Stanley’s index of emerging markets gained over 60%. Both times, the average diversified emerging markets …More

If you intend to make a charitable bequest, name the charity as a retirement plan beneficiary. Income and estate taxes …More

For some municipal bonds, interest is exempt from regular income tax but subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT). Thus, …More

If you take money out of a tax-deferred retirement plan before age 59-1/2, you will owe a 10% penalty tax …More

Alabama’s Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program (PACT) is open to everyone; money invested will grow at least as fast as …More

Nervous investors who bailed out of stocks last Monday opened the door for buyers waiting to snap up bargains. It’s …More

Rather than invest in a few well-known growth stocks (the ones touted on TV), you should diversify within the equity …More

Going by the numbers, investing on margin (borrowing to buy stocks) makes sense. Long-term, stocks have returned 11% per year, …More

Whole life, universal life, and variable life insurance policies are known as “permanent” life insurance. Each of these types has …More

You can use stock index options to magnify stock market moves. Stock index options are pegged to the performance of …More

Tax-deferred real estate exchanges usually work on a sell-first, then buy sequence. But what if you find a prime investment …More