Retirement & Financial Planning Report

Do you have a life insurance policy you no longer need? Perhaps your kids are finished with school and living …More

Ideally, your estate plan will call for your assets to pass to loved ones via your will, beneficiary designations, and …More

When you prepare your 2011 tax return, you’ll naturally have to report gains or losses on securities trades in taxable …More

Many people fear that income tax rates will rise in the future. If so, contributing to a Roth IRA now …More

Although you can start Social Security benefits as early as age 62, waiting as long as possible (until age 70) …More

Just because it’s a new year, don’t ease up on harvesting losses for tax benefits. You should monitor your taxable …More

If you inherit an IRA, you can pull out all the money right away. If you don’t need the cash, …More

In the first none months of 2011, about $25 billion was invested in index annuities. Major Wall Street firms and …More

Now that it’s 2012, you can contribute to an IRA for this year. The earlier you make this contribution, the …More

In 2012, the annual gift tax exclusion is $13,000 per recipient, just as it was in 2011. That is, you …More

Up until 2004, investors who wanted to own gold generally had to buy coins or bars or some form of …More

In 2012, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $99.90 a month. High-income seniors pay more. The amount of the …More

With the failure of the so-called “Super Committee” to come up with tax and budget proposals, it appears that 2012 …More

Many investors have large losses from the stock market crash of 2008-2009. Such losses can be deducted, but no more …More

Taking capital losses can offset the tax on capital gains while excess losses can provide tax deductions. Sometimes, though, you …More

If you have a traditional IRA, required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin after you reach age 70-1/2. Thus, if Henry Wells …More

How can you increase the chance your portfolio will last as long as you do? That is, after you retire, …More

You can choose the “cost basis” method you prefer for mutual fund shares held in taxable account. This choice will …More

Advance medical directives should be part of your financial and estate planning. In case you are ill or injured, unable …More

You can take money from your IRA, tax-free, as long as you roll the same amount back into an IRA …More

While you’re working, you may need disability insurance. If you can’t work (and won’t get paid) because of illness or …More

Real estate investors often use like-kind exchanges to avoid tax on a property disposition. You might sell one property, let …More

How much do you need to save for a comfortable retirement? The consulting firm Hewitt Associates calculates you should accumulate …More

If you own a vacation home, consider renting it occasionally. The payoff can be tax-free income. Under the Internal Revenue …More

When you buy or sell stocks, you can choose between two types of orders: * Market orders obligate you to …More

Today’s low yields make in-state munis less attractive. Many municipal bond investors prefer bonds issued in their home state, or …More

In 2011, single taxpayers with taxable income under $34,500 owe 0 percent tax on long-term capital gains. Therefore, you might …More

If your retired parents have options as to how they tap an investment portfolio, you might suggest they hold onto …More

Many charities will not issue immediate gift annuities for donors under age 55 or 60. What’s more, arranging for an …More

Many charities offer charitable gift annuities (CGAs). With these arrangements, you donate assets to charity in return for a stream …More