Financial planning

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.

Those mourning the loss of loved ones likely won’t appreciate this traditional gesture.

Advisors who use these guidelines may see their efforts mushroom, as Raymond James advisor Melissa Joy found.

A private equity firm will help the robo RIA evaluate financing options.

How the profits on capital gain distributions can turn into a negative for your clients' wallet. Plus, time is running out on low-interest rate, intra-family loans. Also, not forgetting dependency exemptions before year's end.

"I don't see a top in valuations," says Marty Bicknell, CEO of Mariner Wealth Advisors.

Advisors use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter; some companies formulate official policies.

Clients who have $30,000 in student loan debt would have missed as much as $325,000 in investment opportunities in their 401(k) plans; Plus, the one money move to make before the end of the year.

It’s rare that advisors leave the Christian-oriented independent firm, a spokeswoman says.

Exencial’s John Burns is looking to buy RIAs and his phone “has been ringing a lot."

Financial planners and tax experts offer their unique strategies for year-end planning that can help your clients.