Financial planning

Advisors need to take a more active role in engaging with college and university programs to help bring more students into the workforce, said industry officials at the CFP Board's recent academic conference.

The pitches are persuasive. Workers who leave jobs with the federal government transferred $10 billion last year out of the Thrift Savings Plan.

Though it can often pay to wait, advisors should help clients determine when it makes sense to file earlier for spousal benefits.

Customize your income-replacement rate; options for required IRA distributions; finding an identity beyond the workplace

Planners can help clients and build family loyalty by having difficult conversations about late-in-life options, says a speaker at LPL Focus.

'Our main objective is organic growth,' says Larry Roth, chief executive of Cetera Financial Group.

As programs struggle, Kevin Keller says new Washington planning center will help academic financial planning programs.

HighTower recruited a Merrill Lynch advisor team managing $800 million in assets.

Planners should consider hiring younger staff, and then encouraging -- or even requiring -- junior associates to study and sit for the CFP exam and complete their experience requirements, the CFP Board says.

Advisors still are not tapping into the Gen Y market, a study from Principal Financial Group shows.

Variable annuities held by clients might not need to be annuitized to deliver cash flow.

Planners should consider hiring younger staff, and then encouraging -- or even requiring -- junior associates to study and sit for the CFP exam and complete their experience requirements, the CFP Board says.

The CEO of one of the largest planning firms makes his own estate planning move.

For advisors and their boomer and retiree clients, the new rules from Treasury could be a game changer for how they allocate 401(k) and IRA assets going forward.

Advisors should help their female retiree clients balance their well-placed concerns about longevity with their tolerance for risk.

Advisors warn despite the appeal of quarterly income from energy MLPs, retired clients should proceed with caution because these investments usually make tax-sense only with long-term commitments.

Increased interest from academia in offering degree programs is the good news--but they still need many more qualified teachers.

It takes a lot of time to develop original insights and advance the public conversation around a thought. If you have the inclination, follow this plan to start the process.

Only 25% of Americans use a 401(k) plan; It's ok to use Roth IRA to help pay school loans in some cases; Why the good news for retiree health care may not last

With retirement-aged couples divorcing with ever more frequency, financial planners should be ready to help recently divorced clients adjust their plans for retirement.