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
Displaying 883 results
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUL 08, 2014
SEC hits American Pension Services and its founder with fraud charges

APS, a third-party administrator, allegedly caused investors to lose $22 million

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES JUL 02, 2014
Beware state premium taxes on annuities

With different rates in different states, these under-the-radar taxes require close scrutiny of annuities contracts to avoid hidden surprises.

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES JUL 01, 2014
New annuities offer exposure to equities and downside protection

New annuities offer uncapped exposure to equities plus downside protection. "It's been a game changer," one exec says.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 30, 2014
Guaranteed features propel indexed-annuity sales

With low interest rates providing few fixed-income investment options, broker-dealers see these as a good choice for clients, with more growth potential than CDs.

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES JUN 30, 2014
IRI hires Morningstar annuity executive

The new addition is aimed at bolstering the firm's resources to help advisers with retirement income strategies/

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 30, 2014
Genworth eyes new approach to long-term-care insurance rate hikes

The firm is advocating for incremental changes over double-digit rate hikes after many years. But can this new method catch on?

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 26, 2014
BlackRock extends reach into retirement business with new funds, indexes

Money manager turns focus to retirement income, distribution vs. accumulation.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 26, 2014
A new financial planning frontier for same-sex marriage

Advisers wanting to work with LGBT clients will have to stay current on the changing state laws and realize how their clients' residences can shape their retirement and estate planning.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 24, 2014
Morningstar-HelloWallet deal ups the ante for financial wellness services

Viewing workers' retirement savings in the context of their full financial picture may be the next frontier for retirement plan services.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING JUN 23, 2014
“Top 40” host Casey Kasem's disappearance holds lessons for advisers

“American Top 40” host Casey Kasem's disappearance has been resolved, but advisers have plenty to learn from the bitter family feud that's emerged over the radio legend's care in old age.