Investment products

Investment costs, including inflation, can put a heavier dent on retirement income than many clients realize; Plus, can downsizing save a client's retirement?

Robo advisors say they managed the downturn with little pressure from clients. Some in the industry wonder if that was a good thing.

The federal government is calling on comments for its proposal to allow Medicare to cover physicians' fees for discussing end-of-life issues with beneficiaries; Plus, how to transfer inherited IRAs.

Betterment data scientist Sam Swift asks advisors: "How do you know how much you've helped [clients] with your advice?"

Retirees who can no longer afford to settle their debts because of job loss, business failure and other misfortunes may seek a one-time-payment settlement with their creditors; Plus, ways in which retirees can tap their portfolio using various strategies.

Taking a required minimum distribution from a retirement account to satisfy the RMD of another account is allowed only if both accounts are traditional noninherited IRAs or noninherited 403(b) plans; Plus, how to decide between a 401(k) and an IRA when saving for retirement.

A 1035 Exchange is a good option for clients who wish to replace their old annuity with a new policy that offers a better package; Plus, a three-step plan to getting the retirement income clients need.

Dividends that increase consistently over the long-term also have their pay-offs over shorter cycles.

Why retirees whose premiums that are not deducted from Social Security payments can expect an increase next year; Plus, explaining the menu of income annuity features and options.

Nearly a dozen Democratic state senators express their concerns over the Obama administration's proposed changes to the fiduciary standard; plus the crazy way Social Security punishes spouses who claim early benefits.

Clients can avoid risk by replacing low-yield bonds in their portfolio with high-dividend stocks; plus how and when clients should apply for Social Security and why parent education loans can ruin your clients' retirement.

Clients planning to retire with adequate savings are advised to reduce their spending and develop a strategy to lower their tax burden; Plus, how clients should decide on the right 401(k) and are baby boomers too optimistic about retirement?

Take a more strategic look at the role of Social Security benefits in your clients' retirement accounts; Plus, how to play catch-up with your clients' retirement savings and the rules for making penalty-free withdrawals.

Commentary: No human, no matter how sophisticated, can operate as consistently, quickly or as efficiently as the technology powering an automated investing service.

Index funds are surging in popularity, but most advisors continue to favor a blend of active and passive investment strategies.

Almost all robo advisors were founded in 2009 or later and they have never seen a meaningful downturn in the financial markets. This is a major issue.

The role of bonds is to provide stability to a portfolio. But this only works when clients understand the true purpose behind their fixed income investments.

While, on average, passively managed funds have outpaced their actively managed counterparts, there are certain times when actively managed funds do outperform.

Some clients prefer to buy income-producing properties outright rather than invest in real estate investment trusts.

Recent years have been discouraging for investors in managed futures but some signs point to a possible turnaround.