So much for the fiduciary rule—a signature achievement of the Obama administration that is designed to eliminate conflicts of interest in the brokerage industry and help investors achieve higher returns. The incoming Trump administration is almost certain to scuttle the rule as part of its war on regulation. But even if the rule is killed, its mere injection into the public’s consciousness will still likely turn out to be a plus for investors.
President Obama’s Department of Labor issued the rule. It would require all financial firms to act as fiduciaries when providing products and services for clients’ retirement accounts. Fiduciaries must treat each client’s account with the same care and judgment as they would treat their own investments.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
-
Stock Market Today: Nasdaq Spirals as Netflix NosedivesA big earnings boom for credit card giant American Express helped the Dow notch another win.
-
Get These 40 Earth Day Deals and DiscountsMonday, April 22, is Earth Day. Many of your favorite retailers are celebrating with deals on sustainable products, recycling services, and more
-
Finding the Right Financial Planner During a RecessionFinancial Advisers Navigating your way through a financial downturn takes resolve and know-how. Having the right person at your side during this touchy time could be critical.
-
What You Should Look for in a Financial ProfessionalFinancial Advisers The vast majority of Americans value the advice of a financial professional. Here’s how to choose the right one for you.
-
PODCAST: This Couple Tackles Love and Money as a TeamGetting Married Fyooz Financial, the husband and wife team of Dan and Natalie Slagle, have carved out a niche advising other couples with the money questions that come with pairing up. Also, where is this troubled stock market headed?
-
How Psychology Affects Your Search for a Financial AdviserFinancial Advisers Your emotional relationship with your financial planner plays a big role in how successful your collaboration will be, so picking a person you click with should be a high priority.
-
Finding a Modern Financial Adviser: 3 Questions to AskFinancial Advisers Today’s challenging economic climate calls for a financial adviser equipped to adapt. Here’s how to see if yours is up to the task.
-
5 Quick and Dirty Questions to Pick a Financial AdviserFinancial Advisers Yes, you can boil a complicated vetting process down to just five quick questions. Or you could dig deeper. The choice is yours.
-
Double Your ESG Impact With Funds Tied to CharitiesFinancial Planning A growing number of funds donate directly to causes you might care about. Are they good investments?
-
Build an Inflation Hedge Around RetirementFinancial Planning Inflation brings two headaches for retirees: stretching a fixed income to meet rapidly rising prices and investing a retirement savings portfolio so that it keeps pace with the higher cost of living. Here are some strategies to avoid the pain.
