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.