IRAs

Tax-wise strategies for charitable contributions can take a 180-degree turn when it comes time to create an estate plan.

A typically "balanced" portfolio (with 60% in stocks and 40% in bonds) yielded a return of 4% or more just 66% of the time.

As many as 30% of accounts are either abandoned or lost because many providers can no longer locate the account holders.

Advisers and clients may think it doesn't matter which account makes the distribution, as long as the total calculated amount is taken from some account. They are wrong.

Investing in more bonds for a short period is a good strategy for retirement savers to curb the sequence of return risk.

High front-end fees, complex payouts and a lack of dividend income are among the reasons.

Now may be the best time for retirees to make charitable donations, do a Roth conversion, and incur more qualified medical expenses to meet the threshold and qualify for a tax deduction.

Investors should take market volatility as an opportunity to engage in year-end tax planning that includes strategies such as tax-loss harvesting.

Clients fare just as well, and possibly better, with their other investments by developing the same savings habits of these retirement accounts. Plus, getting more out of munis.

Investments in certain closed-end funds or preferred shares are strategies clients should consider to make their savings last, an industry expert says.