Lee Conrad

Which wirehouse offers advisors the most freedom? Which offers the least? And when should advisors shun the channel and break away?

Muni funds should become more attractive under the new tax laws, say market observers.

It's been a tough year for bank wealth management, but these bosses kept their advisors on track and boosted business along the way.

Here we present the program managers who topped the list in each metric used to determine the main Top 25 ranking.

A recent report from Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee says that Social Security is being threatened, and the federal government should consider modernizing and enhancing the program.

The differences generally come down to investor eligibility and when taxes are paid, but that can have a significant impact.

Many people expect to collect more than they actually will, which can prompt them to retire and file for benefits early and, in turn, reduce their actual payouts.

While seniors are often encouraged to lead an active lifestyle in retirement, too much activity may do more harm than good, according to one professor.

Elderly clients should make sure they have enough fixed-income in their retirement portfolios to spin off cash to cover the gap between income and expenses until the market recovers.

These retirement funds may all look alike, but can be very different when it comes to returns, asset allocation and expenses.