2026 Midterm Election: What It Could Mean for Your Estate Plan and Inheritance
Whether you’re planning to distribute your estate or stand to inherit different assets, the midterm election may influence which tax proposals advance in Congress and, ultimately, how much wealth gets taxed and distributed to heirs or beneficiaries. Republican lawmakers have proposed eliminating the federal estate tax, while Democrats have introduced measures to tax certain large… read more…
How Often Should Financial Advisors Review Performance With Clients?
While there’s no set standard for how often advisors review performance with clients, a common review schedule is one in-depth annual meeting with shorter check-ins each quarter. The right cadence depends on the client’s wealth, life stage and preferences. Age matters too: 83% of Gen Z clients communicate with their advisor at least monthly, compared… read more…
Common Marketing Mistakes Financial Advisors Should Avoid
Referrals can bring in new clients but most advisors need a diverse marketing approach to help their businesses grow. Some of the most common marketing mistakes financial advisors should avoid include generic messaging, content that isn’t tailored to a specific audience and working without a defined plan or strategy. An understanding of what works and… read more…
I Put My House in a Trust to Protect It From Nursing Home Costs. The Timing Almost Ruined It.
An irrevocable trust may help protect your property when you need Medicaid to pay for nursing home care. Transferring assets too late, however, could delay coverage for months or even years. Here are the rules that could affect your ability to pay for care and keep your home. Knowing them ahead of time could prevent… read more…
Editor's Picks
CFA vs. CFP®: Which Do You Need?
Chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified financial planner (CFP) are common certifications for individuals working in finance, namely financial advisors. These are designed to tell a client (or employer) that the holder has received education in certain types of financial… read more…
6 Tips for Choosing a Wealth Management Firm
Wealth management firms are all different, with their own specializations and services. As a result, the process for choosing a wealth manager is a very personal one. Wealth managers work closely together with their clients to identify financial goals and… read more…
What Is a Fee-Only Financial Planner?
If a financial planner, financial advisor or another type of financial professional is fee-only, that means they receive compensation solely from the fees clients pay for their services. They do not earn commissions for recommending certain products. A fee-only structure… read more…
Why First Homes Could Be Investment Properties
If you’re young and looking to purchase a new home to live in, you may want to consider turning it into an investment property. While most people wait until after they’ve bought their first or second home to begin investing in… read more…
Data Articles and Studies
How Much Savings Do You Need to Retire in 2026?
Since its development in the 1990s, the 4% rule has become one of the most commonly cited rules of thumb in retirement planning. Using historical data, financial planner William Bengen found that a portfolio could sustain an initial annual withdrawal of 4%, followed by inflation-adjusted withdrawals, for at least 30 years without being depleted. While… read more…
America’s Scariest States
Halloween took shape as an American tradition in the 19th century, blending immigrant customs with seasonal observances. Since then, the holiday has evolved into a celebration of fear as entertainment. Once tied to harvest traditions, Halloween is now a spectacle of suspense celebrated by three-quarters of U.S. adults. But seasonal scares are not evenly distributed,… read more…
Where It Pays to be a Principal
School principals are responsible for managing teachers and keeping schools operating efficiently, making them key players in ensuring positive student outcomes. But the financial rewards of the job vary widely based on the place of employment. In some states, principal pay stretches further after accounting for cost of living, while in others, higher nominal salaries… read more…
2026 Paycheck Power Rankings
The power of a paycheck depends on more than the dollar value printed on it. In some areas, higher salaries are offset by steep costs for housing and food. In others, modest earnings can stretch considerably further. The balance between income and expenses determines how much workers have left to save, invest or spend after… read more…
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