Retirement & Financial Planning Report

For years, federal and state estate taxes were coordinated so that states effectively shared federal revenues and estates were spared …More

If you have homes in more than one state, where is your official residence? The answer to that question might …More

————————————- Retirement Literacy Commission ————————————– The Thrift Savings Plan Open Elections Act of 2004 requires retirement financial literacy and education. …More

How much do you need to save for a comfortable retirement? Some key elements will help you decide: * Your …More

When you’re shopping for a home, a real estate agent who represents the seller may not have your best interests …More

If you invest in real estate that’s rented to low-income tenants, you can qualify for tax credits. Tax credits reduce …More

If you are the beneficiary of an IRA, be careful. The re-titling of an inherited IRA is a critical process …More

In recent months, high-yield ("junk”) bonds have become more attractive. A year ago, the "spread"between junk bonds and Treasury bonds …More

Every year, the trustees for Social Security and Medicare issue financial reports. The 2008 versions were hardly encouraging. Medicare already …More

With a fixed annuity, you are guaranteed a certain yield for a certain period of time, after which the yield …More

Home buyers can seek financing from either of two sources: * Mortgage brokers. These firms will go to many different …More

Some couples live together but can’t or won’t get married. If so, they both file tax returns as single taxpayers. …More

There are basically two kinds of trusts: * Living trusts. These are trusts you establish during your lifetime. * "Testamentary" …More

According to a new survey by Genworth Financial, the national average annual cost of a private room in a nursing …More

If you own land, donating a conservation easement can produce a substantial income tax deduction. You also will reduce the …More

In order for a prenuptial agreement to be recognized by a court, both sides should have their own independent lawyers …More

Parents of young children often create custodial accounts, which may be set up under the Uniform Transfer to Minors Act …More

Married couples with children can make the most of an IRA. Suppose Al Brown dies with $100,000 in his IRA. …More

Real estate investors may collect untaxed cash flow because depreciation deductions can turn taxable income into tax losses. If so, …More

Medicare Part B covers medical bills but does not provide full coverage. You pay 20 percent of the bills for …More

If you hold a life insurance policy you no longer need, selling it may bring in cash. A policy will …More

If you buy someone else’s insurance policy, in a senior life settlement, you’ll also want a sponsor who can avoid …More

In some jurisdictions, informal meetings with the assessor are allowed, in order to appeal a property tax assessment. You might …More

Many individuals with disabilities get vital support from programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). With these programs, …More

Assets left to a surviving spouse avoid estate tax, no matter how large the bequest. However, some people are reluctant …More

The average annual cost for a student at a private university is over $32,000 in the 2007-2008 academic year, according …More

Few variable annuities actually are annuitized–they seldom are converted to a lifelong stream of cash flow. Instead, owners of variable …More

If you get a large refund from the IRS each year, you’re making interest-free loans to the IRS throughout the …More

When you buy or sell stocks through a broker, there are two types of orders you can place: A market …More

When you refinancing a home mortgage with a dollar-for-dollar replacement loan, all the interest will be deductible. Say your current …More