Retirement & Financial Planning Report

Mutual funds holding junk bonds (known as “high-yield” bonds) were up 23% in the first half of 2009, on average. …More

Many seniors anticipate selling their homes to raise retirement funds. However, in the current weak housing market it may be …More

If you’re helping to support someone in this recession, you might be entitled to a dependency exemption. In 2009, this …More

Don’t create a revocable living trust for tax benefits, because such trusts don’t save estate or income tax. So why …More

As part of your financial planning, check all beneficiary designations regularly. Failure to do so can penalize your heirs. ADVERTISEMENT …More

Should you select a 529 college savings plan on your own or should you use a financial professional? There are …More

Many people believe that distributions from 529 plans are tax-free if the money is spent on higher education. That may …More

Astute estate planning might include: ADVERTISEMENT * A credit shelter trust, also known as a bypass trust. At the death …More

To protect yourself against inflation, keep 10-15 percent of your portfolio in "hard assets," which tend to do well when …More

Closed-end funds, which trade like stocks, often sell at a discount or premium to the shares they hold. Last fall, …More

If you’re renting a house or a condo for a summer vacation–or if you’re exchanging homes with another family this …More

Most states offer 529 college savings plans in which the payoff stems from investment results. After a year like 2008, …More

The federal estate tax exemption is now $3.5 million and there’s no indication it will fall to a lower amount, …More

Should you select a 529 college savings plan on your own or should you use a financial professional? There are …More

Many people believe that distributions from 529 plans are tax-free if the money is spent on higher education. That may …More

Astute estate planning might include: ADVERTISEMENT * A credit shelter trust, also known as a bypass trust. At the death …More

A traditional rule of thumb for retirement planning is to take 100 minus your age and allocate that percentage of …More

Although some colleges have increased their financial aid packages, higher education is still a major expense for many families. What’s …More

Seniors aren’t the only ones who must take minimum required distributions (MRDs) from retirement accounts. Anyone who has inherited an …More

If your income is $100,000 or less this year, on a single or joint tax return, you have two Roth …More