Estate Planning

Big Brother: How the Obama Budget Helps Ordinary Savers (at Some Risk)

By Dan KadlecApril 12, 20130

Obama’s budget would give workers without a tax-favored savings plan at the office automatic access to an IRA. That is among other details in the budget that affect your pocketbook.

Obama’s Budget Would Cap Tax-Advantaged Savings

By Dan KadlecApril 10, 20130

New IRA limits target the wealthy. But this may be just the start of a raid on America’s nest eggs.

7 Ways Taxpayers are Readying for Fiscal Cliff

By Dan KadlecDec. 17, 20120

Time is running short for year-end tax moves, and it now seems clear that any money-saving maneuvers must be based on what’s likely—not what’s certain.

Financial Planning

6 Ways Adding a Trusted Child to Your Bank Account Backfires

By Dan KadlecOct. 16, 20120

Outliving your child is a gut-wrenching experience. It’s even worse when you’ve put their name on your financial accounts and owe tax on what you “inherit.” Here are 6 reasons to leave your accounts in your own name and get a …

Compound Interest? Huh. Investors Flunk Key Financial Literacy Test

By Dan KadlecSept. 05, 20120

Dodd-Frank financial reform mandated a study on what Americans understand about investments. The results weren’t pretty.

Why Higher Future Tax Rates are Certain but Won’t Matter

By Dan KadlecAug. 24, 20120

An important part of retirement planning is estimating your future tax rate. Most financial planners assume tax rates will go up in the future. But while that may be true it doesn’t necessarily mean the amount of tax you pay …

Wealth Transfer? Boomers Banking on a Mirage

By Dan KadlecJune 12, 20120

Under-saved boomers have long believed that a tremendous generational transfer of wealth will save their retirement. Estimates have put the expected bequest from boomer parents at $10 trillion to $30 trillion. Well, don’t count on it.

How to Give Heirs What They Most Want (It Won’t Cost Much)

By Dan KadlecJune 11, 20120

An enduring legacy of the financial crisis has been a clear shift in personal values—away from materialism and toward relationships and experiences. Born out of need, this national (if not global) rethinking of what is most important has had remarkable staying power even as the economy has started to improve.