Retirement & Financial Planning Report

Now that Internet-led tech stock mania has cooled off, the hunt for solid investments should focus on future earnings. The …More

It’s about that time again. Time to check your key documents to see if they’re up to date. The best …More

Homeowner’s insurance policies are becoming more conservative. Instead of paying whatever it takes to replace a destroyed home, most policies …More

If you want to diversify internationally, buy stocks directly, and avoid the hassles of trading foreign stocks, you can invest …More

A solid estate plan might include transferring part of your wealth into an irrevocable trust. Once assets are in such …More

It may sound axiomatic, but there are folks who don’t actually confirm the maturity dates of the certificates of deposit. …More

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

The main advantage of prepaying for funeral and burial arrangements is peace of mind; your survivors won’t have to make …More

A new federal law allows people aged 65-69 to collect full Social Security benefits no matter how much they earn. …More

If you’re asked to back a startup business, don’t invest unless the people responsible for the company have put together …More

If you die owning an insurance policy, payable to someone besides your spouse, the proceeds (which might be $250,000, $500,000, …More

Assets left to a QTIP trust are considered marital assets so no estate tax is due at the first spouse’s …More

Closed-end funds are mutual funds that trade like stocks. Advantages include: No cash necessary. The managers of these funds don’t …More

One of the sad facts of life is that all of us, especially those old enough to know who Howdy …More

The new plans (see item above) are more flexible than the old prepaid tuition plans. If the money is not …More

Most states now offer tax-sheltered college savings plans, under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. Money that’s invested can …More

Start slowly when you begin to tap your retirement portfolio. Taking too much, too soon, can be risky — history …More

Now that most everyone is comfortable with the idea of refinancing home mortgages, the Internet is bringing out another opportunity: …More

Some financial advisors have warned against investing in retailers. The advent of Internet shopping, it has been said, will hurt …More

If you have a life insurance policy you no longer need, consider giving it to charity. While you benefit your …More

Limit orders (see above item) also can be used on the sell side. You might, for example, set target prices …More

Do you have multiple beneficiaries for your IRA? If so, you’re probably better off establishing separate accounts. Suppose you have …More

Before you make such an important decision as choosing a continuing care community for yourself or a loved one, do …More

European investors are flexing their muscles. In the past, most Europeans thought of the stock market as a gamble, aiming …More

Many great companies — surprisingly — are in Europe. Invest in Europe, where there is sky-high unemployment and little history …More

If you baby sit for your grandchildren ask to be paid in cash — at the going rate. Why? You …More

While the next tax filing season is many months away, it can pay you to review potential itemized deductions that …More

Although there are 10 standard Medicare supplement (“Medigap”) policies, labeled A through J, with identical features, prices may vary widely. …More

You can take profits now on stocks and mutual funds and not settle up with the tax collector for eight …More

If you’re looking for a chance to earn sizable profits with lower risk, consider the U.S. bond market. Long-term government …More