Opinion News from Financial Planning

Parents who don't effectively communicate estate plans to their children set them up to fail financially, emotionally and relationally.

Financial advisors can differentiate themselves by knowing when to apply the tax-friendly strategy — and when to take a pass.

Advisors acting as financial planning sherpas can guide clients up tricky terrain to reach retirement peaks.

As "blue zone" lifestyles and AI medical tech push human life expectancy over the century mark, retirement planners must ensure that "wealth spans" keep pace.

The intersection between HNW clients and private markets is no longer about distribution, but integration.

The expansion of cryptocurrency, stablecoins and tokenized assets means more complexity at tax time, including a brand-new form to manage: 1099-DA.

Women often evaluate financial decisions through the lens of community and relationships. Advisors who adapt their approach can improve retention and boost referral-driven growth.

Long-term financial security isn't always served by capturing the biggest account assets. Here's how financial advisors can best serve divorcing clients.

Women control trillions globally yet remain underserved by financial advisors. Avoid these common missteps to build trust that lasts.

Authenticity and judgment will emerge as differentiators for financial advisors as AI tools reduce the cost of early-stage analysis.

PE money eviscerates an RIA's client-first culture, leading to advisor burnout and turnover.

RIA leaders are debating "digital employees" but expect service models to expand to meet growing HNW needs, says industry observer Ric Edelman.

Wealthy clients and the firms that serve them should cultivate a "zero-trust" mindset to repel hackers and their increasingly sophisticated digital scams.

Showing up for clients is still crucial, but using AI to deliver on financial goals matters more, says Altruist's CEO.

Default assumptions based on nonexistent children can lead to overaccumulation and unnecessarily delayed retirement.

Donor-advised funds should be temporary vessels, not permanent endowments. Here's how financial advisors can keep them from becoming philanthropic dead ends.

The tech can be smart and speedy, but also tone deaf when it comes to picking up the nuance of client conversations.

Internal succession planning is messier but aligns with a true fiduciary firm's core values, argues Neela Hummel of Abacus Wealth.

Red flags may abound, but so do arguments for an extended equities streak. Keeping clients on an even keel is crucial.

Agentic AI will continue to automate financial planner workflows — and that's a good thing.