Latest articles by Michael Aloi, CFP®
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Have You Reviewed Your 401(k) Beneficiary Designations Lately?
If you've had any life changes — marriage, divorce, a new baby or retirement — you might want to make sure your beneficiaries are in order.
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Market Turmoil: What History Tells Us About Current Volatility
This up-and-down uncertainty is nerve-racking, but a look back at previous downturns shows that the markets are resilient. Here's how to ride out the turmoil.
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Why Company Stock May Be Riskier Than Employees Realize
Stock compensation has its perks, but employees must be realistic (and unemotional) about their investments' prospects. Sometimes strategic sales are smart.
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What Are the Investment Opportunities and Threats in 2025?
It's the Year of the Wood Snake, representing growth, introspection, transformation and a need for patience. What could that mean for your finances?
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Five Ways to Minimize a Higher Capital Gains Tax Rate
With Harris’ proposal to raise the capital gains tax rate (which would require congressional approval), investors might want to consider tax-lowering options.
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Got a Hot Rate on a Money Market Account? Think Again
After taxes and inflation, the real return you get may not be as good as you think. Here's another approach to consider: fixed deferred annuities.
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One Retiree's Story of How She Built Her Retirement Nest Egg
One way to build wealth is to max out your company’s retirement plans, but doing it in tax-efficient ways can make an even bigger difference.
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Whole Life Insurance: A Multipurpose Financial Planning Tool
retirement Here’s how whole life insurance works, along with five key benefits (including savings and tax-efficient inheritance), as well as a few concerns to consider.
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2024 Investment Outlook: Three Tips for the New Year
What should investors do to protect their nest eggs as we head into a presidential election and face continued uncertainty about interest rates?
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How to Get the Most Out of Your Pension Plan
Should you take a lump-sum payout? Do you think your employer is in danger of going bankrupt? These are only two of the issues to consider.
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Four Tips to Help You Conquer the Retirement Mountain
Getting to retirement is only half the goal. That’s why having a cash cushion, minimizing taxes and more are so important to having a successful retirement.
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Three Potentially Costly IRA Mistakes That Are Easy to Avoid
An IRA is a great savings tool, but it does come with some rules that can trip up a lot of people. Find out more here about beneficiaries, after-tax contributions and RMD tables.
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Three Tips for Selling Your Business and Getting the Most Value
Employing an aggressive tax-loss harvesting strategy and making use of trusts can help secure maximum value. And the sooner you start planning, the better.
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How Two Tax Laws Make REITs More Tax-Friendly
Taking advantage of the return of capital (ROC) and Tax Cuts and Jobs Act rate reductions can significantly reduce the taxes on REIT distributions.
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After the Recent Banking Crisis, What Can You Bank On?
Now would be a good time to take stock of how your nest egg may be exposed in a banking crisis. Here are five things you should know about.
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Laid Off With a Severance Package? Here’s How to Make a Plan
Gathering all the relevant information and staying organized is key, as is getting your financial team involved. Here are five financial planning tips to help.
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2023 Investment Outlook’s Big Question Focuses on Recession
Fundamentals, earnings and diversification are key after a year that left us feeling like we have a bit of a hangover.
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Rising Interest Rates Change the Math on Pensions for Some Would-Be Retirees
Now is a good time to think about when and if to take a lump sum on your pension and what to do with it. Let’s explore the pros and cons.
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When Choosing Funds for Your College 529 Plan, Don’t Make This Mistake
529 Plans Age-based funds make sense for some retirement savers, but they rarely make sense for college savers, in my opinion. Here’s why.
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College 529 Savings Plans: What You Need to Know
529 Plans Do you know how much you’re able to contribute or what the funds could be used to pay for? Check out the nitty-gritty details of this formidable college savings tool.
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College 529 Savings Plans: How to Get the Most Out of Them
Go to the head of the class with one adviser’s tips, such as how to choose the plan that works best for you and when to get started.
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How to Plan for an Early Retirement
retirement planning Hint: It’s a little different than the usual retirement planning. When you want to retire early, there are a few extra considerations you need to think through.
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Got Company Stock in Your 401(k)? You Should Know about NUD.
401(k)s You may have heard about the tax strategy called Net Unrealized Appreciation, but there’s another lesser-known strategy that could be especially useful right now: Net Unrealized Depreciation.
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3 Investment Ideas for Retirees Right Now
investing Wondering what to do with your retirement nest egg? These three portfolio moves may be worth taking a look.
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