Easing a Widow’s Hardship

What's the best way for a 62-year-old man to say “I love you” to his wife? By waiting to claim Social Security benefits until he reaches full retirement age or later. Here's our third article in a series on retirement risks.

In Search of Plan C

“We have a crisis of confidence regarding retirement,” said assistant Secretary of Labor Phyllis C. Borzi at the NIRS conference in Washington, D.C. Tuesday.

The Strongest Financial Brands Are…

In Cogent Research's Investor Brandscape 2010 survey, Vanguard, Charles Schwab and TIAA-CREF earned top honors for brand strength. But many affluent investors are mistrustful of the financial industry and uncertain about the future.

New York Life Introduces ‘Lifetime Wealth Strategies’

The big mutual insurer plans to offer its managed account program, incubated last year among career agents, to third-party registered reps, says Michael Gordon, first vice president in the firm's U.S. life insurance and agency business.
Featured

Spotlight on Chairman Schapiro

Lawsuits questioning the competence and integrity of the SEC chairman were discussed at a closed-door meeting of the FINRA board of governors in New York February 10.

The Search for a Safe Withdrawal Rate

In this article, I highlight work by Michael Kitces, who looks at stock market valuation levels as guides to setting retirement withdrawal strategies.
News

CCH Reviews Tax Proposals in Obama Budget

“Upper-income taxpayers would actually fare somewhat better under Obama's proposals than they would under current law,” said a CCH tax analyst.