While we can't foresee what the next four years may bring, we know that one thing under our control is the disciplined deferral of gains and routine harvesting of losses.
In fiscal year 2016, the $905 billion spent on Social Security benefits accounted for nearly one-quarter of federal spending.
Surviving spouse can choose when to collect each benefit.
Continuing confusion over claiming strategies creates opportunities for advisers.
The funds provide donors an immediate tax deduction and an opportunity to guide the funds' investments and their eventual dispersal to charities.
To tame their animal spirits, call them before they call you.
A long-held stock market selling rule may not apply this time around.
Report explains why various calculators produce different results
There is still time for investors to help fulfill their philanthropic passions and also reduce their tax bills.
A 2016 IRA contribution can also be recharacterized in 2017, meaning changed from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, or vice versa.
Clock is ticking on trust fund insolvency that could result in future benefit cuts.
Long durations, low credit quality spell trouble.
Ruling could have implications for other advisers in independent broker-dealer channel.
Shareholders typically don't like paying taxes on income they haven't received.
After a seven-year bull market, few funds have offsetting losses to reduce those gains. Expect the biggest distributions from small-cap funds.
New rules require weighing claiming strategies against competing income goals.
Lower incomes and fewer assets in savings plans lead to problems in retirement.
Philanthropy has its advantages.
Some advisers rely on the Affordable Care Act to insure themselves and employees, and now fear that it could be repealed or substantially changed.
Plus, the strategy can help reduce required minimum distributions and cut taxes.
