Financial Planning May 2016

Advisors are now helping clients think about living to 100 and beyond.

Advisors should focus on key questions to best estimate how much retirement savings a client really needs.

Here’s how to counteract your clients’ tendency to buy and sell securities at just the wrong time.

Our columnist says clear standards have been set on what constitutes unconflicted advice.

A merger or acquisition is a critical move, and many don’t work out. Are you ready to make the jump?

Sometimes young planners realize they don’t want to manage a book of clients forever. Here are ways they can go without leaving the profession entirely.

Firms that take a long-term view have the edge in securing the next generation of talent. But will the return on investment really benefit your firm?

Voices: Exemptions for high-fee products, a prolonged compliance deadline and less-prominent disclosure requirements leaves our columnist feeling like she did on a certain Christmas morning.

Examining these issues may take the guesswork out of a client's estate plan.

Advisors in today’s crowded field must stand out in order to grow their business. Here’s how to build a digital platform that will attract clients.

An advisor’s omission leads to a big reward for a client.

Financial Media Exchange has tons of bells and whistles and its low fees can’t be beat, writes columnist Joel Bruckenstein.

Advisors who apply debt-management and cash-flow projection skills to the repayment of student loans can save clients tens of thousands of dollars (and build loyalty, too).

A look at which months typically produce the best long-term results for different asset classes.

New reporting requirements allow the feds to focus on hard-to-value holdings in order to boost taxable required minimum distributions.

Voices: Self-proclaimed market wizards often have records of accuracy that fall far short of the hype that surrounds their reputations. Advisors, beware.

Sometimes becoming an advisor is more obstacle course than straight road.

As clients live longer than ever anticipated, advisors face new challenges in helping them prepare for the future.