Retirement & Financial Planning Report

If you discover you made a mistake on your tax return, should you file an amended return on Form 1040X? …More

Although many tax breaks created in the past decade may expire, 529 college savings plans have permanent tax benefits. Investments …More

As the price of gold soars, you can keep up by following the nightly news. Silver prices are not as …More

Economists forecast low inflation in 2011. Thus, interest rates are not likely to rise, which is good new for bondholders. …More

When you create an IRA you’ll either use the beneficiary form that’s provided or create a customized form. That’s only …More

For elderly homeowners, a reverse mortgage might increase the money available for retirement spending. With a reverse mortgage, you get …More

After a vicious bear market, stocks have started to recover. Certainly, stocks are more attractive now, with the S&P 500 …More

With property values down in many areas, it may pay to appeal your property tax assessment. To succeed, you need …More

The federal estate tax, repealed for deaths in 2010, is coming back in 2011. Under current law, the federal estate …More

Taking a loss on stocks or bonds or funds will provide tax benefits. However, you can’t buy back the same …More

For couples who have just married, perhaps the first order of business–and one of the most important–is deciding who will …More

When you buy stocks, you should set a "stop-loss" point. If you by a stock for $80 a share, for …More

If you invest in a 529 college savings plan, investment income inside the plan won’t be taxed. Withdrawals are tax-free, …More

Investment income is reported to the IRS on Form 1099. In recent years, though, many 1099s have had to be …More

In most years it makes sense to tap a traditional IRA to withdraw money at a tax rate of 15 …More

Many couples think that they are doing well if they live within their means. In reality, it’s vital that a …More

After a Roth IRA conversion, you have until October 15 of the following year to "recharacterize" the account to a …More

According to the Money Management Institute, from June 30, 2009, to June 30, 2010, "managed solutions" assets rose more than …More

The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, recently signed into law, contains provisions that go beyond small businesses. For example, …More

After a steep decline, home sales seem to be at or near the bottom for this cycle: * The National …More

The newly passed financial reform act (the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act) extends the increased limits for …More

Dividend-paying stocks can provide income as well as growth potential. In down markets, high-yielding stocks may lose less ground than …More

The good news is that inflation seems to be under control. The Consumer Price Index fell 0.1% in June 2010, …More

If you wait until age 70 to start Social Security benefits, you’ll give up current income but get larger checks …More

Nondeductible IRA contributions make Roth IRA conversions more complicated. Suppose, for example, that Harry Walker retired with $175,000 in his …More

Do you live in an area where people take summer vacations? Do you own a second home that would make …More

When you invest in a 529 college savings plan for a young child, you probably should put most of the …More

If you need cash in the short term, your IRA may be a good place to find it. As long …More

Although real estate values generally have fallen recently, property taxes have not fallen, too. Some hard-pressed jurisdictions are raising property …More

Roth IRA conversions offer a unique "look-back" opportunity. You can recharacterize (reverse) all or part of a Roth IRA conversion …More