Retirement & Financial Planning Report

An SEC guide, “An Introduction to 529 Plans,” says that the prepaid-tuition type of 529 plan permits you to buy …More

Senior life settlements are investments that offer an assured payoff, if done properly. In essence, you buy an existing life …More

A married couple can give up to $22,000 worth of assets to each recipient in 2005, tax-free, because of an …More

Some master limited partnerships (MLPs) are operating businesses such as pipelines, with a connection to oil and gas. MLPs tend …More

Are you thinking of getting married or re-married? You and your bride-to-be deserve congratulations, of course, but keep in mind …More

This year’s sideways stock market may be a good time for using covered calls. With this strategy, an investor buys …More

“Busted” convertibles are convertible bonds issued by a company whose common stock is now trading so far below the conversion …More

Investors concerned that interest rates may rise, devaluing traditional bonds, might consider these alternatives: * Floating-rate funds, which invest in …More

If your cash account at your investment firm has a current yield around 2 percent, you’re getting only $2,000 a …More

A single-life immediate annuity can deliver ample cash flow for the rest of your life. However, you could buy a …More

Should you pay in advance for a cemetery plot, for the funeral service, or for funeral merchandise such as a …More

Parents of college-bound children should not neglect their own retirement funds. You must save during your working years for what …More

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

Convertible bonds have been dominated by hedge funds in recent years. Such bonds are convertible to the issuing company’s common …More

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

With oil prices high, you might consider energy investments as income-producing vehicles. A great deal of evidence suggests that higher …More

Convertible securities are income-producing corporate bonds or preferred stocks that can be exchanged for common stock at a set price. …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 today’s low-interest-rate climate, some lenders are throwing money at home buyers. Offers might include 100 percent financing and interest-only …More

Large-company growth stocks may be ready to rebound. Over the last five years, large-cap growth funds have lost 7 percent …More

If you have a youngster going to college, don’t assume that you won’t qualify for financial aid just because your …More

Economic growth is often better in those countries with the greatest economic freedom. The Heritage Foundation measures economic freedom in …More

As an investor, you may not want to have all of your eggs in the U.S. basket. Among other reasons, …More

Investors seeking to include bond funds in a diversified portfolio need to be careful these days. With a flat yield …More

Named after a section of the Internal Revenue Code, so-called 529 plans have become popular vehicles for college savings. Withdrawals …More

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

Instead of withdrawing money from your IRA, you might convert part of your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Suppose, …More

For many people, home ownership is a major financial goal but today’s soaring prices make it difficult to find an …More

For retirees, the years between ages 59 1/2 and 70 1/2 provide a window for tax shelter: * After 59 …More

Generally, legal fees are not deductible. However, you may be able to write off money you spend for tax or …More