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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The latest wrinkle in estate planning: Digital assets
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS MAY 28, 2015
The latest wrinkle in estate planning: Digital assets

As clients acquire valuable digital assets, like Dan Ashbach (pictured) and his 1.6 million Pinterest followers, estate planners begin to see what happens when there are no contingency plans.

Lessons for advisers from Supreme Court's decision on 401(k) excessive fees lawsuit
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 27, 2015
Lessons for advisers from Supreme Court's decision on 401(k) excessive fees lawsuit

A few suggestions for retirement plan advisers who want to protect their clients and themselves as 401(k)s face legal and regulatory scrutiny.

Supreme Court hands down decision in key 401(k) lawsuit
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 20, 2015
Supreme Court hands down decision in key 401(k) lawsuit

Message to advisers: Mind recommended fund lineups, review plan sponsor contracts.

Raymond James bolsters indexed annuities and life wholesaling with acquisition
NEWS BROKER DEALERS MAY 19, 2015
Raymond James bolsters indexed annuities and life wholesaling with acquisition

Deal with insurance marketer Producers Choice is expected to give the broker-dealer greater control over the way annuities are wholesaled to its advisers.

Supreme Court rules Maryland double-tax structure is unconstitutional
RETIREMENT TAX MAY 18, 2015
Supreme Court rules Maryland double-tax structure is unconstitutional

Accountants prepare clients to refile income tax returns for refund of county taxes.

Stop rewarding annuity high-rollers with exotic trips, tacky jewelry
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS MAY 18, 2015
Stop rewarding annuity high-rollers with exotic trips, tacky jewelry

Even as fiduciary duty becomes a common phrase in the parlance of financial advisers, insurance agents are still offered gold watches and other incentives for annuity sales.

Medicare becoming a bigger piece of retirement planning for advisers
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAY 14, 2015
Medicare becoming a bigger piece of retirement planning for advisers

With regulatory and marketplace changes, more clients nedd help navigating Medicare maze.

Nationwide to pay $8M to settle with SEC over variable annuity mail snafu
RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAY 13, 2015
Nationwide to pay $8M to settle with SEC over variable annuity mail snafu

Insurer charged after agency found it deliberately delayed receipt of variable annuities and life insurance orders, resulting in a failure to price them in a timely manner.

SEC slaps charges against "retirement planners" for fraudulent life settlement sales
RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAY 11, 2015
SEC slaps charges against "retirement planners" for fraudulent life settlement sales

Pair sold $4.3 million of Investments fraudulently marketed as "safe as CDs" and "federally insured," regulator says in suit.

Real estate company seeks $20M for New York City mausoleum high-rise
NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS MAY 07, 2015
Real estate company seeks $20M for New York City mausoleum high-rise

Rest in peace and luxury: Average prices are expected to top $65,000 for crypts and $17,000 for niches for funerary urns.