Articles

There are five broad asset classes that you should take into consideration when constructing your investment portfolio.

Understanding different types of investment risk can help investors manage their money more effectively.

With closed-end funds, investors pool their money together to purchase a professionally managed portfolio of stocks and/or bonds.

It's important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of common stock versus preferred stock.

It is important to understand how dividends (taxable payments to shareholders) fit with your long-term goals.

ETFs have unique attributes and attempt to track all types of indexes, industries, or commodities.

There are other ways to invest in stocks and bonds besides owning individual shares or bonds.

It's important to understand the options, such as financial aid grant programs, when having to pay for college.

Many realize it’s important to save for retirement, but knowing exactly how much to save is another issue altogether.

When receiving money accumulated in your employer-sponsored retirement plan, you have two options: lump sum or annuity.

Tax-deferred retirement plans for self-employed individuals have higher contribution limits than IRAs.

An indexed annuity may provide some upside potential and downside protection.

A Roth 401(k) is funded with after-tax money, and allows for tax- and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings if requirements are met.

While stable, CDs can create an income tax bill. Fixed annuities and municipal bonds can offer tax advantages.

For the grantor, there are a few potential tax benefits that can come with setting up a charitable trust.

It's important to understand tax-exempt vehicles when establishing a comprehensive tax planning strategy.

IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government.

With traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans, taxes are not payable until funds are withdrawn.

Changes to the tax code have left a few key deductions for itemizers, like medical, dental and some business expenses.

Many traditional tax-advantaged investment strategies have gone away, but there are still some alternatives.

Capital gains are profits realized from the sale of assets; a tax is triggered only when an asset is sold, not held.

Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account.

Tax-deferred retirement account withdrawals before age 59½ generally trigger a 10% federal tax penalty.

A designated income beneficiary could receive payment of a specified amount from a charitable remainder trust.

Charitable lead trusts are designed for people who would like to benefit a charity now rather than later.

A wealth replacement trust could be used to gift appreciated assets to a charity as well as provide for heirs.

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different gifting strategies available for planned giving.