Lee Conrad

Many millennials find it difficult to think beyond their student debt, which averages $32,731 with an average monthly payment of $393, according to the Federal Reserve.

If clients miss an RMD, they will be subject to a penalty equal to half the amount they should have taken, and they'll still owe ordinary income taxes on distributions.

When giving cash gifts to grandchildren this holiday season, clients have options that can also help minimize their estate taxes in the future.

Fixed indexed annuities guarantees minimal investment returns amid a down market, but investing in them still carries some risk.

Regulatory decisions, whistle-blower cases and acquisitions will define wealth management in 2018, and the people here will be the decision-makers who remake the industry.

Passive funds are the decisive victor in attracting cash.

With the right steps, clients can reduce their tax liability, as well as new sources of retirement income with different tax treatments,

If clients set aside a portion of earnings in a 401(k) or IRA, taxes weren't forgiven, just deferred. They'll still owe money to the IRS at some point.

While clients cannot determine their health care expenses and taxes in retirement, they can improve their prospects by minimizing investment fees and diversifying their portfolios.

Small firms are allowed to set up multiple-employer plans, but the government needs to "simplify and rationalize the rules" for these types of plans, says an expert.

To add insult to injury, these returns didn’t even come cheap. The average expense ratio was more than 1%.

Meet the best of the best in the bank channel. Read about how they approach their jobs, how they serve clients and how they made the list.

Here we conclude with the fourth and final segment of the Top 100 Bank Advisors. You can see all the other rankings (1-75) in our corresponding slideshows.

Here we present the third segment of the Top 100 Bank Advisors. You can see the top 50, as well as those who ranked 76-100, in our corresponding slideshows.

Here is the second segment of the Top 100 Bank Advisors. Check out the top 25, as well as those who ranked 51-100, in separate slideshows.

A well-rounded approach wins the day with the annual advisor ranking. No one-trick ponies allowed, as multiple metrics count toward advisors' scores, including AUM, production, growth and fee business.

Medicare Part B premiums will stay flat next year, but most retirees will still pay more.

Clients should claim their retirement benefits only when other taxable income sources are used up, as their benefits could be taxed if their taxable earnings reach a certain threshold.

Financial advisors can still be held liable for violating impartial conduct standards even though the fiduciary rule has been delayed until 2019.

These eye-popping returns didn’t come cheap. Expense ratios averaged more than 1% and went as high as 158 basis points.