Practice management

An advisor’s omission leads to a big reward for a client.

Voices: Exemptions for high-fee products, a prolonged compliance deadline and less-prominent disclosure requirements leaves our columnist feeling like she did on a certain Christmas morning.

To get a head start on the new rules, Janus Capital’s Matt Sommer suggests these smart moves.

Change happens when it has to. For bank advisors, this means they'll get succession plans--eventually.

Retirees should expect lower returns going forward, but the safety of bonds still warrants a place in their portfolios; plus, considerations before taking Social Security early.

Banks and credit unions are not prepared for the onslaught of change that began Wednesday.

Industry groups takes side on the newly issued fiduciary rule.

Why some industry experts say long-term interest rates may soon reach historic lows; plus, will change come to the Social Security windfall elimination provision?

The program allows retiring advisors and their junior brokers to work out their own financial arrangements during the first two years of the five-year program.

The advisor often feels as if the bank's viewpoint is this: “Thanks for bringing us a revenue stream, now leave and be thankful we even gave you a job.”

Voices: The fiduciary rule is not complicated. If you don’t want the responsibility of being an advisor, don’t call yourself an advisor or imply you are one.

Readers are split over using Excel for financial planning. Some extol the simplicity of spreadsheets, others are firmly of the view that financial planning software is necessary for advisors to remain relevant.

As the fiduciary rule pressures firms to develop products and platforms, they must realize I.T. has a seat at the table in the decision process, says Putnam Investment's new chief technology officer.

At the end of the day, manager selection is all about damage control.

Ways the DoL's new fiduciary plan is expected to directly affect advisors; plus, how clients can contribute to a Roth IRA if they're already retired.

Examining these issues may take the guesswork out of a client's estate plan.

The benefits will have no impact on their former spouse's retirement benefits; plus, what clients need to know about their IRAs.

Many young people procrastinate when it comes to saving, which greatly reduces the growth opportunity from compounding; plus, what clients need to know when they inherit an IRA.

A Fidelity survey reveals who made what in one of the industry's most opaque segments.

Spending in retirement often declines over the years so clients should reduce their withdrawal rates instead of using a fixed approach; plus, the misconception that can sabotage your client's retirement.