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Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account.

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Several factors could undermine the financial security provided by the proceeds of your life insurance policy.

A Section 1035 exchange is a tax-free exchange of an existing annuity contract or life insurance policy for a new one.

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Before investing in stocks, it is important to understand some of the basics and the risks involved in owning stocks.

To retain the tax advantages associated with charitable giving, your gift must be made to a qualified organization.

To help you choose insurance wisely, determine how much coverage and what kind of policy is best for your situation.

When it is time to make an insurance claim, it helps if you are familiar with your policies and the steps you should take to file a claim.

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Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a set amount of money on a regular basis, regardless of market conditions.

A mutual fund is a collection of stocks, bonds, and other securities with certain benefits and risks.

The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin.

Using a financially sound insurance company is an important part of ensuring your family’s financial security.

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

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

A business owner policy is an insurance package that assembles the basic coverages required by a business owner in one bundle.

Even if your state doesn’t require certain types of auto insurance, it may be wise to purchase multiple types to ensure you are covered for a variety of situations.

Careful estate planning is still one of the most important ways to manage and protect your assets for your heirs.

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

The federal gift tax applies to gifts of property or money while the donor is living.

There are a variety of retirement planning options that could help meet your needs. Here are some of the most popular.

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

Qualified Roth IRA distributions in retirement are free of federal income tax and aren’t included in gross income.

Annuities, an insurance-based financial vehicle, can provide many benefits that retirement investors might want.

Shifting some debt to a home equity loan, which typically allows interest payments to be tax deductible, could have its advantages.

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

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

The difference between purchasing an individual stock versus shares in a mutual fund to potentially earn dividends.

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Greater demand is being placed on the Social Security system as the baby boom generation has begun to retire.

Zero-coupon bonds represent a type of bond that does not pay interest during the life of the bond.

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

A SEP IRA is a type of plan under which the employer contributes (up to a certain limit) to an employee’s IRA.

An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company to pay you future income in exchange for premiums you pay.

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

Money market funds can be a highly liquid and effective cash management tool.

There are several funding methods for a child's college education including mutual funds and Section 529 plans.

Knowing the basics of a disability income insurance policy is a good first step toward protecting your family.

A bond ladder is a strategy involving the purchase of bonds that have staggered maturity dates.

If you have a family who relies on your income, it is important to have life insurance protection.

If you were to suffer an illness or disability that required long-term nursing care, would you be covered?

Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property distributed, but they also go beyond that.

Bond ratings gauge a bond issuer’s financial ability to repay its promised principal and interest payments.

Sole ownership, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, and community property have special benefits for property owners.

Split-dollar life insurance is an arrangement to purchase and fund life insurance between two parties.

If you believe your estate will be subject to estate taxes, consider how your heirs will pay the bill.

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

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

One estate planning strategy that families with closely held businesses could consider is the family limited partnership.

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

Everything you own, whatever the form of ownership, is subject to federal, and possibly state, estate taxes.

Bonds are issued by many entities and share many characteristics, each type of bond has certain benefits and risks.

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