Retirement & Financial Planning Report

By paying an extra amount of principal each month, you can pay off a 30-year mortgage in half the time. …More

Travel insurance can protect against the loss of non-refundable costs such as airfare, hotel bills, and tour expenses. Other types …More

Although the stock market has been strong for the last several years, some investors are still showing losses on variable …More

The MSCI EAFE Index of stocks based in developed foreign countries has returned over 22 percent annually for the past …More

To protect your assets from a possible lawsuit after an accident, make sure your auto insurance policy has three types …More

If you use a vacation home fewer than 14 days a year or less than 10 percent of the days …More

Variable annuities (VAs) appeal to investors because taxes are deferred until withdrawal. High costs can be a problem, though. According …More

Most variable annuities are now sold with a "living benefit." These benefits usually fall into one of these categories: * …More

For working parents, money spent on child care may qualify for a tax credit. In 2007, this "child and dependent …More

If your summer vacation takes you outside the U.S., where you’ll be spending foreign currency, be prepared for a shock. …More

In 2008, 2009, and 2010, low-income taxpayers will owe no tax on long-term capital gains and on most dividend income. …More

Consolidating outstanding student loans may offer several advantages: * It may be simpler to track and pay one bill, if …More

As the stock market hits record levels, you can protect against a possible pullback by diversifying into other types of …More

Over seven out of every ten Americans receive their Social Security checks as soon as possible, often at age 62. …More

Stocks of companies based in emerging markets have outperformed the S&P 500 index since the end of 2001, rising 218 …More

Under certain circumstances, U.S. Savings Bonds owned by someone who was at least 24 years old on the bond’s issue …More

Do you own a pet? An estimated $1 billion is paid out each year because of dog bites, according to …More

Growth stocks tend to perform better than value stocks in the late stages of business cycles, when short-term interest rates …More

A new law tightens the "kiddie tax" rules so shifting capital gains to students under age 24 will offer scant …More

Variable annuities (VAs) offer appealing benefits. You can invest in stock funds run by top managers and avoid income tax …More

Exchange-traded funds have grown explosively but most ETFs have held stocks. Recently, ETFs that hold bonds have become available. They …More

Current law permits married couples to avoid tax on gains up to $500,000 when they sell a home ($250,000 for …More

Paying off student loans can provide a tax deduction of up to $2,500 per year. In order to deduct that …More

If you own an S&P 500 index fund, you are investing in an index that’s weighted by market capitalization. A …More

Roth IRAs offer no tax deduction but the account grows tax-free. After five years and after age 59 1/2, withdrawals …More

IRA owners over age 70 1/2 and IRA beneficiaries of any age are required to withdraw certain amounts and pay …More

If you support multiple charities, do so by donating appreciated securities to a donor-advised fund. Many community foundations and most …More

You can pay someone else’s medical bills without owing gift tax, no matter how large they are. Payments must be …More

When you calculate your life insurance needs, you may have to consider your aging parents as well as your spouse …More

Section 1031 of the tax code allows you to exchange one investment property for another without paying tax on the …More