Retirement readiness

When giving cash gifts to grandchildren this holiday season, clients have options that can also help minimize their estate taxes in the future.

Fixed indexed annuities guarantees minimal investment returns amid a down market, but investing in them still carries some risk.

Clients ask: "Will I run out of money?" Here’s how planners can confidently tell them "no." Like every approach, however, there are a few drawbacks.

A relatively new approach for measuring savers’ progress toward goals is gaining steam, but it’s not without its imperfections.

With the right steps, clients can reduce their tax liability, as well as new sources of retirement income with different tax treatments,

If clients set aside a portion of earnings in a 401(k) or IRA, taxes weren't forgiven, just deferred. They'll still owe money to the IRS at some point.

Clients should claim their retirement benefits only when other taxable income sources are used up, as their benefits could be taxed if their taxable earnings reach a certain threshold.

Financial advisors can still be held liable for violating impartial conduct standards even though the fiduciary rule has been delayed until 2019.

Variable products suffered their worst quarter in two decades, while fixed contracts also declined.

A new body of research suggests an ideal retirement-planning approach may exist — but buyer beware.