Financial planning

Serving wealthy clients' families can be a profitable niche

One of the big trends this summer has been the ALS Association’s remarkable success with its “ice bucket challenge,” but the very success of the campaign could pose a challenge of its own to the ALS Association and other charities.

Nonprofit and for-profit corporations that borrow through the issuance of taxable or tax exempt municipal debt have a new rule about who can give them financial advice.

Many U.S. households are not adequately prepared for retirement, according to a new report from the Federal Reserve that found 31 percent of non-retired respondents indicating they have no retirement savings or pension, including 19 percent of those ages 55 to 64.

Fitch Ratings has weighed in on the controversy stemming from corporate inversions, noting it could have an impact on a company's cash access and credit.

The CFA Institute has released a new study that calls for enhanced loan disclosures in order to allow investors to compare the financial statements of banks more effectively.

Broker-dealer HD Vest has released VestVision, a software solution that lets advisors and clients establish and prioritize financial goals and then track progress toward them.

Wealth transfer and estate planning can be among the most difficult conversations to have with clients

Simple questions during tax prep can unlock a client's needs

Republicans are considering voting this year to repeal the U.S. estate tax, said House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp.

Thirty-five percent of adults in the U.S. have a debt in collections reported in their credit files, a new study shows.

Withdrawals from individual retirement accounts tend to be driven largely by people who are 70-½ or more, according to new research.

Three-quarters of Americans are worried about having enough money for retirement, according to a new survey that found three out of 10 Americans are not saving for later years.

In 2014 many of the country’s high-income earners will keep less than they pay in taxes.

A federal appeals court has upheld a penalty assessed against the estate of a deceased man because the executor filed the return late, even though estimated taxes had been paid.

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have issued final rules on longevity annuities, which can help retirees manage their savings to ensure they have a stream of regular income as they get older, making longevity annuities accessible to the 401(k) and IRA markets.

Quarterbacking your clients' advisory team

From SEP and SIMPLE IRAs to Solo 401(k)s

A new study finds that disclosure of personal relationships between corporate CEOs and members of the board of directors could paradoxically encourage directors to exhibit less independence from management.

Bill and Hillary Clinton have long supported an estate tax to prevent the U.S. from being dominated by inherited wealth. That doesn’t mean they want to pay it.