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There are five broad asset classes that you should take into consideration when constructing your investment portfolio.

Historically, one of the best ways to fight the effects of inflation has been to utilize growth-oriented investments.

There can be a substantial benefit to deferring taxes as long as possible.

Asset allocation is a method used to help manage investment risk; it does not guarantee a profit or protect against investment loss.

While stable, CDs can create an income tax bill. Fixed annuities and municipal bonds can offer tax advantages.

The probate process can be lengthy and complex. There are strategies you can use to help avoid the probate process.

If you haven't taken steps already, consider planning now for the distribution of the assets of your estate.

Understanding different types of investment risk can help investors manage their money more effectively.

Stock market indexes can be useful benchmarks for gauging the performance of an investment portfolio over time.

There are a number of savings alternatives that could help you earn a reasonable rate of return.

A bond is simply evidence of a debt from a government entity or a corporation and represents a long-term IOU.

A sound cash management program uses a disciplined approach: accounting, analysis, allocation, and adjustment.

Before making investment decisions, it is helpful to determine the real rate of return on the investment.

It's important to understand tax-exempt vehicles when establishing a comprehensive tax planning strategy.

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for those persons age 65 and over. But what does it cover?

A living trust can help control the distribution of your estate upon death.

If you leave a job or retire, you should consider your options regarding your employer retirement plan assets.

Many realize it’s important to save for retirement, but knowing exactly how much to save is another issue altogether.

Short-term cash management instruments can help you establish a sound cash management program.

The Social Security Administration’s retirement estimator gives estimates of your future benefits based on your actual Social Security earnings record.

An important element to successful investing is to manage investment risk while maintaining the potential for growth.

If you do not participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you might consider a traditional IRA.

Consider a trustee-to-trustee transfer to an IRA versus a lump-sum distribution from a workplace retirement plan.

When receiving money accumulated in your employer-sponsored retirement plan, you have two options: lump sum or annuity.

Term life insurance differs from permanent forms of life insurance in that it offers temporary protection.

When selecting a life insurance policy, examine all your options, as well as the positives and negatives of each type.

There are three basic types of medical insurance plans: fee-for-service, managed care, and high-deductible health plan.

529 plans are tax-advantaged savings plans that generally allow people of any income level to contribute.

There are numerous investment alternatives available to help provide liquidity.

There are key dates after you turn 59½ that can impact your taxes, Medicare eligibility, and retirement benefits.

It's important to understand the options, such as financial aid grant programs, when having to pay for college.

Many traditional tax-advantaged investment strategies have gone away, but there are still some alternatives.

401(k) employer-sponsored retirement plans have many benefits, including that the funds accumulate tax-deferred.

The SIMPLE plan may appeal to small business owners as it is easy to set up, administer, and allows for a tax deduction.

Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account.

To retain the tax advantages associated with charitable giving, your gift must be made to a qualified organization.

To help you choose insurance wisely, determine how much coverage and what kind of policy is best for your situation.

Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a set amount of money on a regular basis, regardless of market conditions.

A mutual fund is a collection of stocks, bonds, and other securities with certain benefits and risks.

The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin.

Using a financially sound insurance company is an important part of ensuring your family’s financial security.

Tax-deferred retirement plans for self-employed individuals have higher contribution limits than IRAs.

Careful estate planning is still one of the most important ways to manage and protect your assets for your heirs.

There are a variety of retirement planning options that could help meet your needs. Here are some of the most popular.

Qualified Roth IRA distributions in retirement are free of federal income tax and aren’t included in gross income.

It is important to understand how dividends (taxable payments to shareholders) fit with your long-term goals.

The difference between purchasing an individual stock versus shares in a mutual fund to potentially earn dividends.

Greater demand is being placed on the Social Security system as the baby boom generation has begun to retire.

A Roth 401(k) is funded with after-tax money, and allows for tax- and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings if requirements are met.

A SEP IRA is a type of plan under which the employer contributes (up to a certain limit) to an employee’s IRA.

ETFs have unique attributes and attempt to track all types of indexes, industries, or commodities.

Money market funds can be a highly liquid and effective cash management tool.

There are several funding methods for a child's college education including mutual funds and Section 529 plans.

If you have a family who relies on your income, it is important to have life insurance protection.

If you were to suffer an illness or disability that required long-term nursing care, would you be covered?

Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property distributed, but they also go beyond that.

Bond ratings gauge a bond issuer’s financial ability to repay its promised principal and interest payments.

Sole ownership, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, and community property have special benefits for property owners.

If you believe your estate will be subject to estate taxes, consider how your heirs will pay the bill.

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different gifting strategies available for planned giving.

Tax-deferred retirement account withdrawals before age 59½ generally trigger a 10% federal tax penalty.

Bonds are issued by many entities and share many characteristics, each type of bond has certain benefits and risks.