Financial planning

4 great ways to become a standout advisor in 2016 as competition ramps up.

The last review was seven years ago.

Opinion: The shortage of women among the progressive entrepreneurs and executives attempting to transform how consumers interact with money hampers the industry's ability to know its market.

Although some tensions remain, the animus and distrust that's characterized so much of the bank-technology startup dynamic has faded.

The government deemed file-and-suspend an "aggressive" claiming strategy, but some clients can use it for 6 more months; Plus, clients should use the bucket approach to emergency savings.

Advisors can tell clients that the Fed will likely be very cautious in the months to come, says columnist Kimberly Foss.

Digital offering assets at big firms will dwarf those of independent firms, Tiburon predicts.

Certain bonds have not provided clients with income or less volatility this year, says one chief investment officer.

"Great wealth is volatile — highly volatile," says Michael Spellacy, a senior partner at PwC.

A bad profile can be worse than not having one. Don’t be held back.

Spousal election to treat an IRA inherited from a deceased spouse as the surviving spouse's own IRA may not be made until after the death of the first spouse; Plus, Some Americans leave tens of thousands of Social Security benefits on the table.

Share documents with clients and collaborate securely online through document vaults.

Advisors may want to take a close look now at these potential funds, which could rise above the competition for their different ways of investing in the dividends universe.

An anticipated rate hike has led some advisors to rethink fixed-income allocations.

There are some specific challenges when making this key transition.

If there are subsequent rate hikes in the coming years, clients will feel an effect; Plus, why falling gold and oil prices shouldn't be a concern for older clients.

Such tools can help advisors more easily assess clients’ risk tolerance.

Digital offering assets at big firms will dwarf those of independent firms, Tiburon predicts.

The mutual fund company founded by legendary investor Marty Whitman makes a rare move to stop withdrawals while it tries to liquidate one of its funds.

Despite predictions of a coming boom market by Cerulli Associates and others, the leaders of the biggest brokerage firms remain divided about whether to jump into the fray.