Elliot M. Kass

As is typical in periods when there’s the prospect of higher inflation, investment interest in collectibles is growing, and art prices in particular having been setting records. But do these represent safe vehicles for protecting your clients’ assets?

Breaking out of the traditional allocation model to include a much broader range of investment categories and using relative strength principals to reallocate frequently may be one way to achieve stronger results for clients.

Some academics maintain that if a client obtains an immediate annuity, it pays an income stream for life and the individual is less likely to outlive his or her money. But of course, many planners often see issues with this in real-life situations.

An annuity offers the investor income for life -- for a price. Considering the return on investment, how do annuities compare to bonds?

Recent studies have found that as people age, many lose their ability to make sound financial decisions. So what can be done to safeguard elderly clients’ hard earned assets?

Some planners have implemented online capabilities to serve an increasingly tech-hungry public. But how much tech is enough – and does too much get in the way of good planning?

What could cause the dollar to fall and inflation to rise? Planners should keep their eyes on three potential triggers.

Marital divorce is by definition an adversarial process, but from a financial standpoint it works out better for both parties if it’s also a cooperative one.

Essential elements of a risk-based plan include a thorough analysis of future cash flows combined with in-depth conversations regarding the client’s priorities and goals for a variety of scenarios including death, disability, long-term care, property losses and civil suits.

While the traditional way of gauging a client’s tolerance for risk is typically determined using a basic questionnaire, there’s another method that’s just as – if not more – reliable.

With stocks increasingly expensive and bond returns paltry -- what’s an advisor to do?

There’s been a steady increase in opportunities for overseas investment and clients’ willingness to include international investments in their portfolios.

Advisors look to alternative investments to diversify, hedge against inflation and decrease correlation, but should all clients have alts?

Over time, by angling a portfolio towards value-oriented stocks and small caps, investors will be compensated for taking on additional risk according to academic research.

Can a different investment model create greater portfolio diversification than the traditional 60/40 asset allocation model?

The real estate market may have had its ups and downs in recent years, but REITs are holding their value and merit a place in client portfolios.

Gold is down from it's high of around $1890 in 2011, but some investors are still inquiring about including gold and other precious metals in their portfolios.

At its most basic, relative strength is a ratio of stock or index price-to-market average or other indices.

Women, in particular single, divorced and widowed women, face different retirement challenges than men and can often benefit from a different type of counseling.

For a business owner looking to retire, a succession within the family is the most beneficial arrangement, but this can be emotionally charged.