Retirement & Financial Planning Report

If you are interested in investing outside the United States, how should you proceed? One way is to choose among …More

In 2000, each dependent provides a $2,800 tax deduction. In a 36% federal tax bracket, a $2,800 deduction saves you …More

Variable life insurance permits you to capitalize on the stock market’s long-term growth. In addition, you’ll enjoy all the tax …More

Here other warnings about the Alternative Minimum Tax*: If you’re in the habit of prepaying state and local income taxes …More

Technology and financial mutual funds make a good combination for your portfolio because financial stocks often do well when value …More

The IRS has issued several rulings indicating that the errors of a parent need not penalize a child who inherits …More

A recent IRS ruling shows how a common error in IRA planning can be corrected, if caught in time. A …More

You now can apply for Social Security retirement benefits on the Internet at www.ssa.gov, the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) Web …More

Investors should pay just as much attention to a company’s fundamentals after they buy a stock as they do beforehand. …More

You can take the emotion out of investing by use of “limit orders” to automatically sell securities when certain prices …More

Among more than 4,300 domestic stock funds, more than 1,400 are in the blend category, according to Morningstar. If you …More

Should college savings be in the child’s name or the parents’ name? If you’re confident of never needing the money …More

A classic fraud has become the Internet’s most prevalent investment scam. First, the price of a thinly-priced stock is pumped …More

A Retirement & Financial Planning Report reader recently weighed in with another view of when people ought to begin taking …More

Social Security benefits will increase 3.5% in 2001, beginning with payments that Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2001. For …More

Suppose you prepare your federal income tax return and come up with an obligation of $40,000. Then you go through …More

Nursing home costs are sky high — but you haven’t seen anything yet. The national average is now about $110 …More

From late 1998 through late 2000, the price of a barrel of oil soared from less than $11 to nearly …More

The alternative minimum tax (AMT), which was meant to sting the rich, now affects taxpayers with incomes as low as …More

After children reach age 14, some income shifting is possible. Each child is entitled to a full 15% federal tax …More

Stock index options are pegged to the performance of a stock market index. “Call” options give you the right to …More

Tax Savings Idea –Variable Life Insurance With variable life insurance you can invest in mutual funds and never pay taxes. …More

Your home not only shelters you from the weather and from intruders, it can serve as a powerful tax shelter. …More

Some readers had questions about an item in last week’s issue addressing Medicaid’s “spend down” rule. Here’s some more information: …More

Through October 2000, one top natural resource fund performer has been State Street Research Global Resources Fund (up nearly 50% …More

If you have a pressing need for cash before you reach 59-1/2 years of age, there are ways to tap …More

For a conservative approach to international investing, you might put half of your foreign money in European mutual funds, specifically …More

There are two main reasons for investing in foreign stocks: opportunity and diversification. The U.S. share of world market capitalization …More

When you’re purchasing a CD, ask if there are any special features, such as a death benefit that allows a …More

It’s important to find out where a Certificate of Deposit broker will deposit your money once you’ve decided to buy …More