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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Pivotal 401(k) fee lawsuit in front of Supreme Court means big changes for plan advisers
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 23, 2015
Pivotal 401(k) fee lawsuit in front of Supreme Court means big changes for plan advisers

Regardless of how the high court rules, ongoing investment monitoring will be here to stay.

IRA incentives help savers, but they need to keep a close eye on fees
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 19, 2015
IRA incentives help savers, but they need to keep a close eye on fees

The programs, including one launched last week by Fidelity, won't make everyday investors millionaires, but they help

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAR 13, 2015
Spring variable annuity prospectuses and updates are here

First quarter regulatory filings suggest that insurers aren't ramping up big new product releases but hybrid annuites appear to be making a comeback, with Voya charging back into the market.

Transamerica offers legacy variable annuity clients a buyout
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 13, 2015
Transamerica offers legacy variable annuity clients a buyout

This offer affects more than 30 types of variable annuity contracts issued by the insurer

Interest rate increases: A boon for senior savers and a disaster for variable-rate borrowers
NEWS RIAS MAR 12, 2015
Interest rate increases: A boon for senior savers and a disaster for variable-rate borrowers

Don't forget that a spike in rates will hurt ARM mortgages, HELOCs and variable-rate student loans.

Intra-family loans: Not your ordinary wealth transfer strategy
RETIREMENT RETIREMENT PLANNING MAR 06, 2015
Intra-family loans: Not your ordinary wealth transfer strategy

The formal agreements are another way to take advantage of low interest rates

Intra-family loans: Not your ordinary wealth transfer strategy
YOUR PRACTICE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT MAR 06, 2015
Intra-family loans: Not your ordinary wealth transfer strategy

Another way to take advantage of low interest rates.

Line-by-line: Opportunities lie in your clients' income tax return
RETIREMENT TAX MAR 06, 2015
Line-by-line: Opportunities lie in your clients' income tax return

Though the individual income tax return is a window into the past, what it reveals can shape savings and investment strategies into the future. Advisers can mine the 1040 for information and savings ideas for clients.

Deferred-income annuities grab spotlight from traditional variable annuities
RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAR 05, 2015
Deferred-income annuities grab spotlight from traditional variable annuities

Run-up of DIAs in recent years points to a new retirement income stream for clients. <b><i>(Plus: <a href=&quot;http://www.investmentnews.com/section/specialreport/20150222/ANNUITIES2015&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;>Our full special report on annuity strategies</a>)</b></i>

YOUR PRACTICE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT MAR 05, 2015
Meet the 529 ABLE account: A new way to save for disabled beneficiaries

People with disabled children get a new vehicle for savings that can be used to supplement public help.