- Americans Say $516K Needed to Achieve Financial Wellness
The key to financial wellness may be a cool half mil. Though the factors determining financial stability may be different to each investor and retirement saver, a recent Empower Retirement and Personal Capital survey found that most Americans believe it… read more…
- Here’s How Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Can Boost Your Retirement and Financial Stability
After many months of rumors and significant pressure from his left flank in the Democratic Party, President Joe Biden recently announced a plan to relieve the student debt pressure that many younger adults say is keeping them from achieving their… read more…
- Plan Sponsors Want These 3 Services From New Advisors, Fidelity Says
A new Fidelity survey finds that a record-high number of plan sponsors are searching for new advisors. The study, now in its 13th edition, found that 47% of sponsors were seeking new advisors, up from 34% in 2021. Sponsors noted… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: Can My New Wife Draw on Her Ex’s Social Security?
Can my new wife draw on her ex-spouse’s Social Security in any circumstance after remarrying? Specifically, during the one-year waiting period for my wife to collect on my record, can she collect on an ex-spouse’s record? Or can my wife… read more…
- Do You Need a Financial Advisor Before Buying a House?
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions that a person can make. Not only can it involve taking on a big mortgage, but the monthly expenses can also affect your budget and ability to save for your… read more…
- What Is a Financial Institution?
A financial institution is an entity that engages significantly in finance-related activities. These activities include such easily recognized examples as taking deposits and making loans as well as less-obvious ones like collecting debts and keeping records of consumers’ credit histories.… read more…
- What Is a 3(38) Fiduciary?
Most tax-advantaged retirement accounts are defined by ERISA, the “Employee Retirement Income Security Act.” This statute outlines how programs like 401(k)s work, including the laws around how those accounts operate, and defines three main types of financial advisors. These are… read more…
- Inflation Stimulus Checks: State-by-State Guide
Inflation has been running wild across the country throughout 2022. With costs soaring, it’s easy to feel the pressure on your household budget because the reality is that your paycheck cannot buy as much as it used to. That’s why… read more…
- What Is a 3(21) Fiduciary?
When you open a 401(k) retirement plan, it typically comes with a series of advisors who help your business manage that account. Specifically there are three main types of 401(k) advisors, or “fiduciaries,” charged with managing your investments: 3(16), 3(21)… read more…
- Why Financial Planning Is Important
Planning for the financial future helps people in many ways, including improving their ability to set goals, budget, save, borrow wisely, invest, manage risk and taxes, plan their estates and more. People who create financial plans are better able to… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I have $225K in the Stock Market. Should I Cash Out Some of It?
I currently have approximately $225,000 invested in the stock market. Most of that is in conservative stocks and bonds. Do you have an opinion about staying the course or liquidating all or a portion for a few months or years… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Federal Government Employees
Federal employees have unique needs when it comes to financial and retirement planning. Because of these unique concerns, financial advisors who work with them should have a special understanding of federal government employees’ benefits. Such advisors can help U.S. government… read more…
- Ask An Advisor: I Live on Social Security and Food Stamps. Can I Protect My Investments in a Down Market?
I’m retired and living on Social Security and food stamps. I have all my money in two conservative retirement accounts. I cannot contribute any money to them. I plan on taking distributions in five years. What’s the best course of… read more…
- Industry Group Pushes to Regulate Who’s a ‘Financial Planner’ – Could Consumers Benefit?
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) announced that it will lead a multiyear advocacy effort to get legal recognition for the term “financial planner.” This organization is a top membership and trade association for certified financial planners (CFPs) and others engaged in… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Athletes
Professional athletes need financial advice. Perhaps more than any other career, athletes suffer from a boom-and-bust lifestyle. For the highly-paid professionals in leagues like the NFL, NBA and MLB, these players can be extraordinarily wealthy by the age of 25. Yet… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Doctors (Physicians)
Doctors, as just about anyone in the medical field will tell you, aren’t always great with money. They can be brilliant with the human body and empathetic in their bedside manner. They can be relentlessly clever when it comes to stitching… read more…
- Financial Consultant vs. Financial Advisor
Financial advisors and financial consultants are broadly interchangeable job titles for financial professionals who help individuals and organizations manage money. Someone carrying either title may assist with preparing and executing strategies for budgeting, saving, investing, retirement planning, risk management, borrowing… read more…
- Financial Advisor vs. Self-Investing
Self-investing is the act of making your own investment choices instead of hiring a professional, such as a financial advisor. This can help you save on professional fees but it could cost you. Working with a financial advisor can increase… read more…
- Advisors Eye SEC’s New Conflict of Interest Guidance
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued new guidance for brokers, firms and financial professionals to avoid conflicts of interest with clients. The staff bulletin aims to help firms and professionals comply with their obligations to provide advice and… read more…
- Lawyer vs. Financial Advisor: Which Do You Need?
Investors use financial planners to provide wealth management and financial planning advice. Lawyers also provide financial planning advice that protects your assets. When it comes to a lawyer vs. financial advisor, which do you need? Let’s break down when you… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Dentists
Dental professionals have busy lives. Obligations can include caring for patients and running their practices, as well as family responsibilities. And it can be helpful for dentists to have someone on their side to guide them to financial success. Financial… read more…
- Non-Profit Financial Advisor Services
You might wonder why a nonprofit would need a financial advisor. After all, generating cash flow is not generally a central part of a nonprofit’s mission. But nonprofits have finances just like the rest of us. Their money must be… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Pilots
With multi-state tax filing, fixed retirement schedules and adjusting your finances to dynamics within aviation, airline pilots have more than their share of financial challenges. Besides dealing with the insecurities that stem from a sometimes-volatile industry, pilots should be aware… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Seniors
Seniors can face a host of challenges as they get older. Retirement planning, paying for healthcare and estate planning are just a few that may first come to mind. Fortunately, financial advisors have the skills to help seniors meet those challenges.… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Young Adults
Young adults face distinct financial opportunities, including early career challenges, figuring out how best to handle student loans, renting or buying a residence, starting a retirement savings program and even having children. Investing priorities are also distinct for young adults. For… read more…