Financial planning

Guide Financial, which counted among its advisors Esther Stearns, former head of Nestwise -- a now-shuttered LPL venture aimed at middle-class clients -- is the latest technology provider to be acquired.

The top lawyer of Goldman Sachs Group’s asset management unit is leaving the bank to become the top aide to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Jo White, the agency said Wednesday.

Fewer than 14,000 American households received 5.6% of adjusted gross income in 2012, according to data released by the IRS that underscore the increasing concentration of income.

In all, 81% of advisors surveyed said they used or recommended ETFs versus 78% who used or recommended mutual funds, according to an annual FPA survey.

Trust is integral to any advisor-client relationship -- but what happens when clients hold back information that's critical to their financial health?

Clients are advised to name a beneficiary and back-up beneficiary of their accounts, and designating a trust is a good option if there are children from a previous marriage; Plus, how to prepare for a long retirement.

Surviving spouses will require hands-on help from their advisors to get important tasks done -- before and after a loved one's death.

Surviving spouses will require hands-on help from their advisors to get important tasks done -- before and after a loved one's death.

Richard Ketchum voices support for SEC to move on a uniform fiduciary standard for brokers and advisors, while warning of unintended consequences from DoL's proposal.

Put affluent clients' annual contributions into an IRA and then convert it to a Roth on the same day, says Aspiriant's Ray Edwards.

Self-directed investors gave a thumbs up to Charles Schwab, Vanguard, Fidelity and T. Rowe Price in a satisfaction survey of investment firms by J.D. Power. Some firms didn’t fare as well.

The wirehouse advisor moved to the independent channel at Wells Fargo.

While gifting can have important benefits, not every client will be in favor of it, no matter how many good reasons exist.

It takes a lot for some of the smaller players to match the revenues of the industry giants. But it may be even harder for the big players to keep up when it comes to rates of growth. See which independent B-Ds reported the biggest revenue growth rates from 2013 to 2014.

Seventy-nine of 126 public pension plans decided to lower their return assumptions in the years after the financial crisis in 2008; Plus, five common Medicare mistakes to avoid.

The ranks of the ultrawealthy are graying, and many are trying to figure out what their legacy will be.

Regulators will be paying close attention to whether advisors properly safeguard the interests of elderly clients. Here's what to watch for.

Benefits grow approximately 8% for each year between 62 and 70 that clients delay filing for Social Security, and future benefits will include cost of living increases. So why aren't clients taking advantage?

401(k) plans increasingly resemble the traditional pensions that guarantee a steady income for workers in retirement; Plus, personal finance tips for Americans considering retiring overseas.

Mutual funds and ETFs with overlapping holdings cloud the waters for rules aimed at tax-loss harvesting in individual securities. Be sure you're not putting clients at risk.