Retirement planning

As sales of LTC insurance plummet, combination products — annuities with LTC riders — are picking up some of the slack, serving as a useful alternative for some clients.

Some are forced to retire early because of disability, layoff and health issues, while others fear that the program will reduce future benefit payouts as a result of its financial woes.

There are only two ways to transfer IRA assets tax free in a divorce proceeding.

Annuities can be qualified or non-qualified and are subject to different tax treatments. There are also estate tax consequences as well as tax penalties to consider.

Success in financial planning comes down to just three things, says our contributor in his final column. Goal setting is just one.

This debt “can hurt their ability to take on long-term financial planning because they are concerned with reaching a zero point,” says one therapist.

Retirees should delegate the management of their finances to their children before they reach advance years and their health starts to decline.

Is hourly and standalone planning misguided? This advisor says yes.

The itemized deduction for investment fees may have been eliminated, but clients still need guidance on paying IRA expenses. Here's what to tell them.

Medicare premiums will increase for high-income retirees because of the change in the income brackets that will serve as basis for determining these premiums for their Part B and Part D coverage.

Financial advisors should immediately contact clients with prenuptial agreements to see if they’re impacted.

If you’re nearing retirement but don’t have a succession plan for your practice, you’re not alone. It’s a common dilemma for advisors who remain busy serving clients and whose businesses have become increasingly complex over time. In fact, most advisors within five years of retirement still haven’t identified a successor or plan.* Creating a strong plan is key to retiring on your own terms – and it’s easier than you might think.

Workers with a high-deductible health plan will be better off setting up a health savings account, which offers tax benefits for savings earmarked for future medical expenses.

A retail RIA and robo retirement combination could be a game-changer.

With the rescue attempt's failure, all eyes now turn to the SEC which is considering its own proposal for raising financial advisor standards of conduct.

Clients should determine the benefits they would receive if they file at age 62, at full retirement age, and after their full retirement age.

More than 25 million workers resigned and left at least one retirement account with their former employer between 2004 and 2013, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

The uncertainly of regulation and their own survival is at the root of advisors’ stress, but there are also some positives of the job.

The products are designed to provide some upside potential yet limit investment risk, which has helped boost their popularity.