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
Few target date fund managers eat their own cooking
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 10, 2015
Few target date fund managers eat their own cooking

How much advisers weigh a managers' investment in his or her own fund when selecting one.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 08, 2015
Resurgence ahead for life settlements industry?

Underfunded universal life policies' loss may be a gain for secondary insurance market.

YOUR PRACTICE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT APR 07, 2015
Are low-cost subscription pay models even viable?

To validate higher fees, show the true value of your service.

Employer objections stand in way of 401(k) plan success
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 05, 2015
Employer objections stand in way of 401(k) plan success

Advisers can adopt strategies to counteract arguments against trying to maximize contributions

Who wants to service a tiny retirement plan? This guy.
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING APR 01, 2015
Who wants to service a tiny retirement plan? This guy.

Retirement plan consultant builds service for plans with less than $2M in assets.

Ameriprise to pay $27.5 million settlement in 401(k) fiduciary breach suit
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 30, 2015
Ameriprise to pay $27.5 million settlement in 401(k) fiduciary breach suit

Firm denies allegations made by its own retirement plan participants in four-year-old case that was set to go to trial April 13.

Northwestern Mutual purchases LearnVest
YOUR PRACTICE FINTECH MAR 26, 2015
Northwestern Mutual purchases LearnVest

The insurer will acquire LearnVest for an undisclosed amount, with LearnVest saying its platform will maintain its brand identity and business relationships.

Will the LearnVest-Northwestern Mutual deal lead to a culture clash?
YOUR PRACTICE FINTECH MAR 25, 2015
Will the LearnVest-Northwestern Mutual deal lead to a culture clash?

Learnvest-Northwestern deal bodes well for fin tech firms, robos, but it's uncertain whether the financial planning service can maintain its indie culture.

Rising rates no cause for alarm: Nuveen's Bob Doll
INVESTING EQUITIES MAR 24, 2015
Rising rates no cause for alarm: Nuveen's Bob Doll

Fidelity's te Wildt says Fed will hike slowly, warns advisers on unconstrained bond funds.

RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 24, 2015
401(k) bond funds get a makeover

The once sleepy side of the retirement plan fund menu now features a variety of choices.