Qualified and nonqualified annuities

You may have heard that IRAs and employer-sponsored plans (e.g., 401(k)s) are the best ways to invest for retirement. That's true for many people,... Read the full article

Understanding long-term care insurance

It's a fact: People today are living longer. Although that's good news, the odds of requiring some sort of long-term care increase as you get older.... Read the full article

Understanding risk

Few terms in personal finance are as important, or used as frequently, as "risk." Nevertheless, few terms are as imprecisely defined. Generally, when... Read the full article

ABCs of financial aid

These days, it's hard to talk about college without mentioning financial aid. Yet this pairing isn't a marriage of love, but one of necessity. In... Read the full article

Mutual fund basics

A mutual fund pools the money of many investors to purchase securities. The fund's manager buys securities to pursue a stated investment strategy. By... Read the full article

Financial tips for unmarried couples

If you are in a long-term, committed relationship, you have many of the same financial concerns as married couples. However, you lack many of the... Read the full article

Trust basics

Whether you're seeking to manage your own assets, control how your assets are distributed after your death, or plan for incapacity, trusts can help... Read the full article

Wills--the cornerstone of your estate plan

If you care about what happens to your money, home, and other property after you die, you need to do some estate planning. There are many tools you... Read the full article