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

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

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

Biweekly mortgage payments can have a dramatic effect on the amount of interest homeowners have to pay.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you start saving for retirement sooner, the more money you are likely to accumulate and possibly retire sooner.

Living benefits can help protect variable annuity owners from running out of money in retirement.

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

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

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

With the changing pension landscape, it is important to take charge of your own retirement security.

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

A Section 1035 exchange is a tax-free exchange of an existing annuity contract or life insurance policy for a new one.

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.

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

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

Consider a universal life insurance policy if you want the flexibility to change your premium or death benefit.

Several factors could undermine the financial security provided by the proceeds of your life insurance policy.

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

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

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

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

IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government.

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

Capital gains are profits realized from the sale of assets; a tax is triggered only when an asset is sold, not held.

Everything you own, whatever the form of ownership, is subject to federal, and possibly state, estate taxes.