First Time Home Buyers

Thinking of Donating to your Alma Mater? Be Careful!

Unless you’re very specific about how you give money to a university, it may not be used for what you had in mind.

Can Insurers Be a Pension Safety Net?

In exchange for buying a group annuity, employers are transferring their pension-paying obligations to life insurance companies, who pay the pension. This practice has implications for how pensions are protected and whether the payments are off limits to creditors.

It’s Never Too Late for a Family Meeting – Here’s How to Do Them Well

When there is a large inheritance at stake (or even when there isn’t), it’s a great idea to get everyone on the same page. A family meeting can make that happen, and it can even be enjoyable.

Stock Market Today: Stocks Take Jobs-Report Disappointment in Stride

The major indexes produced another so-so session Friday as a big August jobs miss likely pushed the Fed’s tapering plans out a few months.

Stock Market Today: Jobless Claims Drop, Energy Stocks Pop

Pandemic-low unemployment claims Thursday lit a fire under energy stocks and helped the S&P 500 and Nasdaq squeeze out new highs.

Stock Market Today: Comms, Defensive Stocks Rise After Weak Payrolls Report

The Nasdaq hit new highs Wednesday, but the Dow declined, as ADP reported that August payroll growth came in well below forecasts.

33 States with No Estate Taxes or Inheritance Taxes

Even with the federal exemption from death taxes raised, retirees should pay more attention to estate taxes and inheritance taxes levied by states.

How Fixed Deferred Annuities Can Complete Your Retirement Income Strategy

Making sure you have enough income to go the distance is critical for every retiree, and deferred annuities can be a handy tool to make that happen. Here’s how they work and how to tell if one might be right for you.