Darla Mercado

Darla Mercado writes about retirement issues and products, including taxes, annuities and 401(k) plans. She welcomes feedback and tips from readers on interesting topics. Outside of the newsroom, Darla spends her time inline skating, biking, running and swimming. She Tweets at: @Darla_Mercado

Darla Mercado
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NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS NOV 30, 2014
Don't ignore estate planning for millennial clients

Here's what advisers should watch out for with younger investors.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 30, 2014
Self-directed IRAs hold risks for financial advisers

NASAA warning highlights need for advisers to know the ins and outs of these accounts.

RETIREMENT TAX NOV 30, 2014
How charitable giving can offset bull market gains

Year-end donations can help clients mitigate next year's tax bite.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 30, 2014
Why employee benefit brokers are teaming with 401(k) advisers

With a new health care reform employer mandate on the way, expanding expertise becomes imperative

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 28, 2014
Rollovers of 401(k)s into pension plans gets government agency backing

With move, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. clears the way for annuitization of the funds.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 26, 2014
Financial planning issues wrapped into government spending bill?

As Congress prepares to vote on funding, the Labor Department's fiduciary duty rule and some pension benefits could be at risk in last-minute deal making.

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES NOV 25, 2014
Ring out the old year with a bowlful of tax strategies

Tips to help make 2014 less painful than 2013 for wealthy clients

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 21, 2014
Life insurers launching new variable annuities despite tepid sales

A slump in VA purchases clashes with historical notion that product sales mirror the stock market's trajectory. And insurers are launching new products.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING NOV 20, 2014
Caution: New IRS rules for IRA rollovers come with risks for advisers

Guidance from the IRS on its one-IRA-rollover-per-year rule requires advisers to know where clients' money has been or risk a snafu that could sever that relationship.

NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS NOV 17, 2014
Amanda Moore is getting life back after finishing CFP exam

Nine months after the start of her financial advisory journey, the moment of truth arrived for last Saturday when she sat for the CFP exam.