Financial planning

The former broker turned consultant to planners was in financial straits, his wife told police.

Advisors should go behind the music before signing up tomorrow's stars.

A third-party examination system might be the most practical response to RIA oversight, but questions remain about how advisors will shoulder the costs.

ETFs made investing easier for retail clients, not just in stocks but in riskier areas they may not understand like currencies and bank loans.

How to score big with business-owning clients and prospects.

It's never easy to talk to strangers, but establishing a swift rapport with prospective clients is vital for building your business. Advisors share their best tips for getting these conversations underway.

President Obama's proposed 2017 budget includes provisions that would scrap the "backdoor" Roth IRA and Roth contributions after 70, ending the tax benefits from these strategies; plus; are 401(k)s and 529 college savings plans safe places for clients to invest?

The exit comes a month after Cetera filed for bankruptcy, and after the IBD said it’s having trouble with advisor retention.

Totum Wealth says its new platform can analyze risk while also creating a custom portfolio. Our tech communist gives it a try.

What clients with college loans need to know to save on their taxes; plus, tips for expat clients filing with the IRS, and knowing the details behind local and state tax deductions.

Seniors who consider living in 55+ communities should determine whether the homes are age-ready and conducive for people with diminished physical activity; plus, how boomers became the disillusioned generation.

Applying for Social Security benefits early doesn't necessarily mean that applicants will receive the benefits early, an advisor explains to 64-year-old widowed client.

Advisor compensation is one of the stickiest problems for firm owners. Ross Lawrence and Greg Hoffman of Hoffman Financial Resources solved it through equity ownership.

Raymond James lost another advisor to Wells Fargo’s IBD, while several Morgan Stanley advisors made the jump to independence.

Do you have enough saved for a stand-alone RIA? EPAN's Ron Briggs challenges advisors on this and other considerations of going independent.

One of the largest firms on the West Coast, Aspiriant expects to continue merging with one to two firms a year.

Asset location in three simple steps, according to Jefferson National’s Thomas Quinn

Global markets from stocks to oil are suffering their worst start to a year since at least 2009 when the financial crisis ended. For a small group of money managers, that's great news.

Voices: Big data is not data for data’s sake. But it is a tool to magnify value for clients — and a more efficient and effective way to work.

Money can be a huge bone of contention in romantic relationships. Here’s how advisors can help client couples manage financial discord.