Retirement & Financial Planning Report

Total fixed annuity sales were $105.1 billion in 2009, just 2 percent less than the record high set in 2008. …More

Medicare Advantage plans, known as Medicare Part C, are offered by private companies. Medicare enrollees pay a fee, in addition …More

Converting traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs is more popular now that all taxpayers can do so, regardless of income. You …More

Many investment advisors are paid by fees these days. However, you might be better off with an advisor who gets …More

If you inherit an IRA from your spouse, you can roll over that account to an IRA in your own …More

Since the founding of our firm we have been in the business of financial planning and money management.  We started …More

Sending children to college can be expensive. For the 2009-2010 academic year:  * The College Board puts the average cost …More

The service computation date is the date on which you start counting the years of service you need to retire. …More

According to Bankrate.com, the average interest rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is around 5%. Thus, mortgage rates are around …More

If you bought a new vehicle in 2009, you may be able to deduct the sales tax you paid on …More

Many observers predict that interest rates are headed up from today’s low levels. Such an increase would be bad for …More

President Obama has proposed raising tax rates on high income taxpayers, as of 2011. Thus, you might want to convert …More

Since the founding of our firm we have been in the business of financial planning and money management.  We started …More

Most funds that specifically buy dividend-paying stocks outperformed the broad U.S. stock market over the last decade. These funds generally …More

According to published reports, more than $16 billion of U.S. savings bonds have matured. All Series H bonds, many Series …More

You shouldn’t give away a losing stock to charity or to a relative. Instead, sell the stock at a loss. …More

When you prepare your tax return for 2009, avoid these common errors: Home office. Some people don’t take this deduction …More

As of this writing, there is no federal estate tax on the estates of people who die in 2010. Congress …More

A new Tax Court ruling (T.C. Summary Opinion 2009-182, 12/2/09) upheld a tuition deduction for a nurse who got an …More

Employees typically fill out an IRS Form W-4 when they start a new job. The purpose is to let the …More

If you’re interested in cash value life insurance, you should know that whole life and universal life insurance are designed …More

At this time of the year, you may be probably gathering up your canceled checks, credit card bills, brokerage statements, …More

Starting in 2010, you can convert all or part of your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, no matter how …More

For more than a year, savers have suffered from paltry yields. Money market funds pay less than 1 percent, and …More

Municipal bonds may offer generous tax-exempt yields but investors need to be cautious. Defaults reached $7.6 billion in 2008; the …More

After a dreadful year in 2008, last year turned out to be a big winner for mutual fund investors. * …More

When you reach age 65, you can sign up for Medicare. In fact, if you-re collecting Social Security retirement benefits …More

If you-re buying a home, don-t stretch too far to buy an expensive place. You should still have some cash …More

If you are the beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement account, you must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) each …More

You can-t contribute to a Roth IRA if your annual income is over $120,000 (for married couples filing jointly, the …More