Financial planning

Ultrawealthy clients can be tough customers. One expert suggests a few ways to stay in their good graces.

Try these guidelines for giving shares of appreciable stocks, making major money moves before year-end, and setting up tax maneuvers for 2015.

If your client is retiring due to boredom on the job or because it just feels like the right time, they may not be prepared; Plus, clients have two options in claiming lump-sum payments from Social Security.

Digital tools are one thing, Dave Grant says -- but he has grave doubts about the future of totally remote financial planning relationships.

"He called for the male clients, I called for the females," says ex-assistant, who says she knew phone calls to liquidate client assets after a B-D change were wrong.

As part of clients' retirement planning, make sure they understand terms like "sustainable withdrawal rate," as just one example; Plus, encourage clients to increase their savings rate to 15%.

Manulife Financial, Canada’s largest life insurer, agreed to buy New York Life Insurance’s retirement plan services business in a deal that will boost assets under administration by about $50 billion.

Municipals delivered solid performance overall thanks to the strength of the long duration and high-yield segments.

Hey, advisors: You need to understand your clients' life goals before you can help them on the financial ones.

While some commentators feel that people are likely to drain their savings too fast, at least one expert says many are too reluctant to start spending their nest eggs; Plus, many retirees learn valuable investing lessons only through trial and error.

For buyers, the cost of funds is low now. For sellers, valuations are rich. Cashing out now is an “easy case to make," says AssetMark EVP Michael Abelson. "Or they can keep riding the wave."

Tips for young FAs to improve their ability to appeal to clients from older generations.

At TCI Wealth Management, Bob Swift wanted a succession plan that would let him distribute ownership but keep working. Here's the solution he developed.

Review clients’ policies annually, paying particular attention to changes in both rates and charges. Here's a list of items to watch.

F-Squared Investments agreed to pay $35 million over U.S. regulatory claims that it misled investors about the performance of a trading strategy used by exchange- traded funds.

A former Wells Fargo advisor allegedly stole nearly $89,000 from an aging woman who authorized him to pay her rent.

Clients should start preparing emotionally, as well as financially, for retirement at least five years early; Plus, downsizing your home isn't always a good idea.

It’s been a rough couple of years for gold and coal. But the precious metal is gaining back its safe haven shine with investors, while coal continues to be snubbed.

Using donor-advised funds can ease the pressure on clients to make hurried year-end giving decisions, while still allowing them to receive the tax benefits from their donation.

The ideal investing approach should control downside risk while also achieving a reasonable rate of growth. Here are a few suggestions.