Retirement planning

Clients who owe the IRS should pay their taxes by April 15 even if they have already secured an extension.

Grandchildren won't be able to have their own accounts until they are earning their own income, but they can be named beneficiaries.

Picking up on a client's unspoken wishes led an advisor to an unexpected asset allocation — one that benefited the client's daughter.

The famed investor recommends 90% large-cap U.S. stock and 10% short-term government bonds. Is it a crazy idea?

Annuities with guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits tout longevity protection, but naysayers warn of added complexity on an already confusing instrument.

After 30 years and a monster merger with Financial Engines, the firm is doubling down on its AUM fee structure.

The bill has bipartisan support in the House and Senate.

Those who fail to meet the cutoff face a penalty equivalent to 50% of their required minimum distribution.

This interactive tool challenges conventional wisdom about planning for retirement and offers a smart and streamlined way to plan for your future.

As an alternative to placing restrictions on lump sum withdrawals, clients could provide retirees more distribution flexibility.

A higher standard deduction makes itemizing deductions less valuable.

Changing filing statuses and maxing out deductible contributions to IRAs and HSAs are some ways clients received bigger reimbursements.

Those who fail to repay their loans on time may face early withdrawal penalties.

Make sure your conversations with clients include variations of this theme. It's not a bad way to approach your own big decisions, as well.

In the land of tech startups, there's real demand for planners — ones who can embrace the best of robo practices while keeping the human touch.

Some clients may experience a taxable event that pushes them into a higher tax bracket.

A portfolio that minimizes the frequency and magnitude of losses, while maintaining an equity-like overall return, may be worth emulating.

Retirement plans may decline to offer delayed RMDs, plan loans, stretch and hardship distributions and a host of other legally sanctioned tax maneuvers.

The last government shutdown highlighted how many Americans ignore basic planning lessons.