Retirement & Financial Planning Report

In the wake of last year’s bear market and high-profile financial scams, there is a way to earn double-digit returns, …More

First-time homebuyers can claim a tax credit on their 2008 tax return up to $7,500 for purchases after April 8, …More

On your 2008 tax return, you can take itemized deductions (mortgage interest, state and local taxes paid, and so on) …More

After the 2008 stock market crash, pre-retirees who continue to work and retirees who go back to work have an …More

Buying a fixer-upper home can be a profitable investment. Such properties are generally available at prices well under market value. …More

A depleted portfolio needn’t ruin your retirement. Suppose that Bob and Carol Walker are a couple about to retire. In …More

Target-date funds have gained popularity recently. Such funds provide shareholders with a "glide path," from an aggressive to a more …More

For people 65 and over, the after-tax cash flow from immediate annuities might be greater than the yields on municipal …More

Municipal bonds offer generous tax-exempt yields now. There might be a kicker as well: capital gains. The entire municipal bond …More

If you have tax losses from rental property, they are considered "passive activity losses." In most cases, taxpayers whose adjusted …More

Many people create revocable trusts to hold their assets. This can provide incapacity protection and probate avoidance. However, if asset …More

A surviving spouse who is an IRA beneficiary can transfer the account to an IRA for himself or herself. Then …More

The Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act was signed into law at year-end 2008, Among its many provisions, this law …More

If an IRA owners dies and you’re the beneficiary, check to see which type you’ve inherited. Traditional IRA. This is …More

For your 2008 tax return, you can hire a tax preparer. Alternatively, you can do it yourself, perhaps with the …More

Some estate plans include a large life insurance policy held in trust. The money could be used to pay estate …More

In 2009, the federal estate tax exemption increases from $2 million to $3.5 million. Judging by comments made by President-elect …More

Municipal bond fund investors have two choice: * Invest in a national fund. You probably won’t owe federal income tax …More

Ten-year Treasury bonds yield around 2.7% now. If you are in a 28% federal income tax bracket, you’d net less …More

Be careful before you agree to a charity’s request to donate an old car. If the charity sells the car–which …More

People who itemize deductions on Schedule A of their tax return can benefit from year-end planning. For example, medical expenses …More

Roth IRA conversions can be expensive. If you have $200,000 in a traditional IRA, converting the entire account means picking …More

When your stocks lose value, taking capital losses can pay off. You can cut your taxes for the current year …More

When you create a trust as part of your estate plan, there are three roles to fill: * The grantor. …More

Among financial advisors, recommended allocations to emerging markets stocks tend to be modest. You might put 10 percent of your …More

From late 2002 to late 2007, the MSCI index of emerging markets rose five-fold. Then a slide began, which developed …More

Many tax-deferred variable annuities come with surrender charges. That is, if you want to bail out of your investment within …More

Your estate plan might call for making charitable bequests from your IRA. For example, on your IRA beneficiary form you …More

Mutual fund investors are looking at severe losses in 2008–and they may be looking at unexpected tax obligations, too. That’s …More

The tuition and fees deduction for individuals expired at the end of 2007. Recent legislation restored this tax break for …More