Financial planning

Competition may drive wealth management firms to make some unprecedented offers to advisors on the move, leading recruiters say.

New CFPB rules may prompt more class-action suits against retail banks, aiding advisors and their clients.

Head of Wall Street trade group calls Labor Department's final fiduciary rule an "exceedingly prescriptive" regulation that will tie up compliance departments for months.

Imposing a new arbitration clause, without any input on the process, is deeply disconcerting, writes our columnist.

Client should consider their life expectancy and get a cash-refund policy so their loved ones can inherit the money in case they die before the payouts start.

To get a head start on the new rules, Janus Capital’s Matt Sommer suggests these smart moves.

How millennial clients can get more out of their tax returns; plus, a $1 million tax credit clients aren't taking advantage of, and comparing Roth IRAs to deferred comp.

Retirees should expect lower returns going forward, but the safety of bonds still warrants a place in their portfolios; plus, considerations before taking Social Security early.

Given the potential for further ECB easing combined with Federal Reserve tightening in the near future, European stocks could perform well in the months ahead. Here are some European ETF choices for advisors and clients who favor dividend-paying equities.

Exclusive: Top Labor official says, “If we think there is some continued abuse that hasn't been adequately addressed, we'll figure out what to do."

While much of the wealth management industry cautiously mulled over the potential impact of the fiduciary rule, digital-first firms were quick to celebrate.

Industry groups takes side on the newly issued fiduciary rule.

Why some industry experts say long-term interest rates may soon reach historic lows; plus, will change come to the Social Security windfall elimination provision?

Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri called on Congress "to stop this ill-advised rule."

A rundown of the big numbers to watch surrounding the Department of Labor's newly announced fiduciary rule.

“A great win for the middle class," a proponent says, as others note the changes already occurring at planning firms.

Voices: The fiduciary rule is not complicated. If you don’t want the responsibility of being an advisor, don’t call yourself an advisor or imply you are one.

Readers are split over using Excel for financial planning. Some extol the simplicity of spreadsheets, others are firmly of the view that financial planning software is necessary for advisors to remain relevant.

As the fiduciary rule pressures firms to develop products and platforms, they must realize I.T. has a seat at the table in the decision process, says Putnam Investment's new chief technology officer.

Voices: Abuses in investment advice need to be stopped. But a law without teeth is worse than no law at all.