The IRS Has Changed the Tax Rules for 2026 — Here’s How to Keep More Money and Not Overpay
The IRS released its 2026 tax rule overhaul, driven by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last year. Key changes include higher income thresholds for the top brackets, revised required minimum distribution (RMD) ages, and a modest increase to the state‑and‑local tax (SALT) deduction cap. Estate‑tax exemption rises to $13 million per person, while accelerated depreciation limits tighten for real‑estate investors. High‑income earners and retirees must adjust their tax strategies to avoid overpayment.
You Could Be Killing Your Retirement by Neglecting Your IRA
Vanguard research reveals that only 20% of IRA investors use target‑date funds, compared with 84% in 401(k) plans, leaving a large share of retirement cash idle. The study shows up to 40% of non‑target IRA balances sit in cash, eroding...
Financial Advisers Used to Say No to Bitcoin. Now They’re Saying Maybe — but with a Catch.
Financial advisers have long dismissed bitcoin as unsuitable, but client demand is prompting a reassessment. Younger, crypto‑savvy investors are approaching wealth managers already holding digital assets, forcing advisors to accommodate rather than alienate them. Many firms now adopt a cautious...
The Ups and Downs of Stock Market Volatility
The article outlines that stock market indexes are unmanaged instruments that incur no management fees or transaction costs, yet they cannot be bought directly by investors. It emphasizes that any investment strategy involving indexes must be evaluated for individual suitability,...
50 Ways To Get Tax-Free Cash Or Benefits –And Leave The IRS Behind
The article outlines fifty tax‑free cash sources and benefits, ranging from employer‑provided health insurance and transit allowances to personal gifts, home‑sale exclusions, and municipal bond interest. It highlights specific thresholds such as the $5,000 dependent‑care limit, the $340 monthly transit...
A Rare Moment in Family Tax Planning Has Arrived: 3 Ways to Seize It
The 2026 tax reforms have steadied both estate‑tax exemptions and core income‑tax rules, giving high‑net‑worth families a rare window for deliberate planning. The article urges a fresh review of estate documents to align with the now‑large, stable exemption. It also...
Retirees, Steel Yourselves: Global Crises Might Rattle the Markets, but T...
The Iran conflict has triggered modest market turbulence, pulling the S&P 500 down about 3.7% since late February while oil prices and inflation expectations rise. Financial advisers warn that retirees in the “fragile decade” must guard against sequence‑of‑returns risk, which can...
Wealth Management for Families: Milestones, Services and Examples
Family wealth management expands traditional financial planning to address the interconnected needs of multiple household members across generations. It aligns investment, tax, insurance, education, and estate strategies around key life milestones such as buying a home, starting a family, career...
How Long Do You Expect to Live? Getting It Wrong Could Cost You in Retirement
A new TIAA Institute report finds that only one‑third of Americans can correctly estimate how long a 65‑year‑old will live, while two‑thirds underestimate or are unsure. Retirees typically spend 20‑30 years in retirement, so misjudging longevity leads to lower savings...
Ask the Editor, March 20: Questions on Tax Changes for 2026
The 2026 tax year introduces major changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). Non‑itemizers can now claim up to $1,000 ($2,000 for joint filers) of charitable cash gifts, while itemizers must exceed a 0.5% of AGI threshold before deductions...
Long-Term Care Costs Outpacing Retirement Income: AARP
New AARP research shows long‑term care (LTC) expenses surged nearly 50% between 2019 and 2024, far outpacing the 22% rise in median income for households 65 and older. A typical $60,000 senior income now barely covers part‑time home care and...
Will Materials Stocks Repeat Their Strong 2025 in 2026?
Materials stocks have delivered robust returns, with the Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF (FMAT) gaining 12.34% over the past three months and 22.19% year‑to‑date. The sector’s strength is driven by rising copper demand for AI‑intensive GPUs and broader chemical needs...
Using Free Cash Flow Across International Value and Growth Equity Investing
VictoryShares offers two international ETFs—IFLO and GRIN—that use free cash flow (FCF) as the core screening metric. IFLO targets the 100 largest profitable companies with the highest trailing and forward‑looking FCF, adding a growth filter for value‑oriented exposure. GRIN focuses...
I’m 37 and Won a Settlement. I Maxed Out My IRA. How Do I Invest the $21,000 I Have Left?
A freelancer in her late 30s received a $36,000 settlement, maxed out her IRA contributions for 2025 and 2026, and now has $21,000 remaining. The advice column recommends bolstering her emergency fund, then allocating the cash to tax‑advantaged retirement accounts...
Dave Ramsey Hates Debt — But Here’s When a 0% Balance Transfer Can Save You
Dave Ramsey’s no‑debt doctrine clashes with the practical tool of a 0% APR balance‑transfer credit card, which can temporarily erase interest on high‑rate balances. These promotional offers typically last 12‑18 months and often carry a 3‑5% transfer fee. They are...
I’m 30 and Earn $140,000. How Much Do I Need to Invest to Have $420,000 in 10 Years?
A 30‑year‑old Federal Reserve employee earning $140,000 wants $420,000 in investments by age 40. Because federal employment restricts bank‑specific ETFs, the advice focuses on permissible vehicles and the required savings rate. Assuming a 6‑7% compound return, roughly $30,000‑$35,000 per year...
How Active ETFs Brought Muni Bonds Investing to Life
Active municipal‑bond ETFs have transformed a traditionally static fixed‑income segment by pairing tax‑exempt muni exposure with the liquidity and transparency of the ETF structure. The 2019 ETF rule spurred a wave of product innovation, allowing active managers to dynamically adjust...
Jumbo CD vs High-Yield Savings: Which Is the Best Place to Store $100k?
A retiree looking to park $100,000 can choose between a high‑yield savings account (HYSA) offering 4.20% APY and full liquidity, or a jumbo certificate of deposit (CD) delivering 4.35% APY with a short‑term lock‑in. Both products are FDIC‑insured up to...
Should You Fix Your Mortgage Rate? Experts Weigh in on Rising Repayments
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s recent cash‑rate hike is pushing mortgage repayments higher, prompting homeowners to reconsider fixed‑rate options. Experts explain that fixed rates lock in payments and can aid budgeting, but may become costly if interest rates fall, while...
Biopharma Could Provide a Haven for Investment as Middle East Conflict Roils Global Markets
Analysts at Truist Securities argue that biopharma has acted as a defensive haven during recent geopolitical turmoil, outperforming the broader S&P 500. Their review of the past six years shows the Health Care Select Sector ETF (XLV) delivering steadier returns and...
Best Mutual Funds Awards 2026: Best Sector Stock Funds
Investor’s Business Daily’s Best Mutual Funds Awards 2026 spotlight the top sector funds, identifying only 27 out of 268 eligible funds—about 10%—that delivered superior 10‑year returns versus the S&P 500. Semiconductor‑focused funds such as Fidelity Select Semiconductors and Fidelity Advisor Semiconductors...
5 Vanguard Mutual Funds to Tackle Inflation and Geopolitical Risks
U.S. markets are under pressure from soaring oil prices, rising geopolitical tensions, and persistent inflation, prompting fears of stagflation. The labor market shed 92,000 jobs, lifting unemployment to 4.4%, while the Fed kept rates steady at 3.50‑3.75% amid unchanged consumer...
Garry Marr: Why It Could Be the Right Time to Walk Away From Your Real Estate
Canadian homeowners and condo investors are increasingly facing underwater properties as market values retreat. Insolvency filings tied to real estate rose to eight percent of all bankruptcies in 2025, up from five percent a year earlier. Experts warn that while...
Domestic Investment Push Could Cost Pension Savers Dearly, Report Warns
The Fraser Institute warns that proposals forcing large Canadian pension plans to boost domestic allocations could dramatically erode long‑term returns, likening the effect to a 73% tax on equity performance. It argues that the strong track records of Canada’s public...
Claim the 'Founder' Title After 55: Launch a Business Without Jeopardizing Your Retirement
More older adults are adopting the “Founder” title on LinkedIn, with a 69% jump in 2025 and a 300% increase since 2022. Research shows a 60‑year‑old starting a business is three times more likely to succeed than a 30‑year‑old, and...
Grab These 3 Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds for Outstanding Returns
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, overseeing about $3.6 trillion in assets, highlighted three Zacks Rank #1 mutual funds that have delivered strong three‑year returns. The Goldman Sachs U.S. Tax‑Managed Equity Fund returned 20.6%, the Growth Allocation fund posted 17.4% with a 0.55%...
The Investing Mistake That ‘Boring’ Investors Avoid
Investors who stick to “boring” strategies—primarily low‑cost index funds—outperform many who chase flashy stocks. Morningstar data shows only 33% of active funds beat their passive peers between July 2024 and June 2025. Passive funds charge roughly 0.11% expense ratios versus 0.59% for...
Maximize Your TSP by Minimizing Your Tax
The article explains how federal retirees can optimize Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) withdrawals by integrating tax‑planning strategies. It distinguishes between traditional and Roth TSP rules, outlines penalties for early, non‑qualified distributions, and details required minimum distributions (RMDs) that begin at...
Empower to Offer Trump Account Rollovers
Empower Annuity Insurance Co. announced it will act as the first rollover custodian for the newly authorized Trump Accounts (530A), child‑focused retirement accounts that launch on July 4 and receive a one‑time $1,000 Treasury deposit for eligible births between 2025‑2028. The...
An Insider’s Guide to Gifting Carried Interest and Estate Planning
CPA Anthony Venette advises private‑equity general partners to gift a portion of their carried interest early, allowing any subsequent appreciation to grow outside their taxable estate. By transferring this future‑growth right before it accrues, GPs can significantly reduce estate‑tax exposure...
How to Use Trusts for Estate Planning
Trusts are a versatile estate‑planning tool that let grantors transfer ownership of assets to a trustee, enabling probate avoidance and greater control over distribution. The article outlines common trust types—revocable living, irrevocable, special‑needs, and charitable—highlighting their distinct benefits and tax...
JPMorgan Taps Sports Stars to Help Shape Athlete Wealth Strategy
JPMorgan Chase has created an Athlete Council, chaired by Dwyane Wade, to shape wealth‑planning services for professional athletes. The council includes Tom Brady, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Sue Bird, leveraging their personal finance experiences. JPMorgan will also open an...
Altruist Pushes Direct Indexing Downmarket with New Personalization Filters
Altruist has introduced a low‑minimum direct‑indexing solution that lets advisors offer personalized equity portfolios with a $2,000 entry point and fractional share ownership. The platform provides 44 value‑based filters, enabling clients to exclude sectors, industries, or ESG issues in one...
With Rising Oil Prices, This Is the Portfolio Opportunity Not to Miss
Rising oil prices and a recent S&P 500 pullback are creating market dislocations that favor a shift from passive to active core equity exposure. T. Rowe Price’s new active core ETFs—TACU for U.S. large‑cap stocks and TACN for international equities—offer a blend of...
The Healthy Advisor: Turning Loss Into Purpose with Jamie Hopkins
Jamie Hopkins, CEO of Bryn Mawr Trust and co‑author of "Your Retirement Sketchbook," shares how his father’s death shaped his approach to retirement planning and wealth mindset. He highlights the lack of financial‑advice access for trade workers and small‑business owners,...
Short-Term Bond ETFs Are Still Fashionable
Short‑term bond ETFs remain a practical choice despite recent rate cuts, offering investors low‑cost exposure to conservative fixed‑income assets. While longer‑duration bonds promise higher yields and greater price sensitivity to rate moves, short‑term funds excel as liquid savings tools and...
Is Variable Life Insurance More Expensive than Other Options?
Variable universal life (VUL) insurance costs are not fixed; they depend heavily on policy design, premium level, and death‑benefit targets. Illustrations show that a $10 million VUL funded at $70,000 annually can generate $14 million in cumulative expenses, while increasing the premium...
Three Business Succession Lessons From Landman
The TV series *Landman* dramatizes the pitfalls of poorly executed business succession when M‑Tex Oil’s founder Monty dies without adequately preparing his heirs. His wife Cami inherits a complex estate, faces grief, and makes costly decisions, while the appointed president...
3 Audio Video Stocks to Buy as Industry Tailwinds Gain Momentum
Zacks highlights three audio‑video production stocks—Sonos, Dolby and LiveOne—as attractive bets amid accelerating 4K, 8K and immersive audio adoption. The industry holds a Zacks rank of #16, placing it in the top 7% of sectors, yet it has underperformed the...
3 Allspring Mutual Funds to Support Your Wealth-Building Strategy
Allspring Global Investments, spun out of Wells Fargo in 2021, now manages roughly $630 billion across a broad mutual‑fund platform. The firm highlights three Zacks Rank #1 funds—Disciplined US Core, Disciplined Small Cap, and Real Return—each offering strong three‑year returns and sub‑1%...
My Wife and I Made Big Blunders on Our Social Security Benefits. Is It Too Late to Fix It?
A 78‑year‑old couple discovered the wife could earn roughly $200 more per month by switching to a spousal benefit. Both retired early—she at 62, he at 63½—so their current payments are permanently reduced. Social Security rules allow a spouse to...
I’m 59. My Wife and I Bought a Second Home for $484,000 at 6.2% Interest. Will This Be a Drain...
A 59‑year‑old federal employee and his wife bought a Pennsylvania home for $484,000 with a 6.2% mortgage, creating a $3,600 monthly payment that includes taxes and insurance. Their primary residence in New York generates rental income, but the new property does...
An Argument for Having Flexibility on the 4% Rule in Retirement
The classic 4% retirement withdrawal rule, which prescribes taking 4% of a portfolio in the first year and adjusting for inflation thereafter, is increasingly seen as too rigid. Longer life expectancies, higher inflation, and projected lower equity returns are eroding...
Can AI Help You Find a Bigger Tax Refund? What the IRS Says About Amended Returns
Social media posts claim AI chatbots can boost tax refunds by spotting missed deductions after filing. While tools like ChatGPT or xAI’s Grok can clarify tax rules and flag potential issues, they cannot directly amend a return. To claim additional...
Why Women’s Longevity Is Now Shaping Wealth Management
Katelyn Aitcheson, a Sun Life advisor, highlights that Canadian women are set to control about $4 trillion in assets by 2028, driven by entrepreneurship and longer lifespans. She structures each meeting with a "social hour" to learn clients’ personal stories before...
New Feeder Fund Opens Macro Access for Canadian Advisors
Canadian advisors now have a domestic feeder fund that gives accredited investors access to Bridgewater Associates' flagship Pure Alpha strategy through a Wilshire‑managed account. The vehicle is structured as an Ontario mutual fund trust, with Oak Hill Asset Management acting...
S&P 500 Will Return Just 3% a Year for the Next Decade, Top Strategist Warns
Rob Arnott, founder of Research Affiliates, warns that the S&P 500 will average just 3.1% annual total return over the next ten years – roughly one‑fifth of the 15.5% pace seen since 2016. He attributes the slowdown to a projected 40%...
‘It’s Complicated’: My Husband, 61, Wants to Leave Me Everything. His Kids Will Hate Me. What Should I Do?
The advice column explores how a 44‑year‑old wife and her 61‑year‑old husband can fairly allocate their $1.5 million combined net worth as they plan for the future. Both are healthy, the wife has no children, while the husband has two adult...
An Insider’s Guide to Gifting Carried Interest and Estate Planning
CPA Anthony Venette advises venture capital general partners to gift a portion of their carried interest early, allowing any subsequent appreciation to grow outside the donor’s estate. By transferring ownership before the assets appreciate, the future increase is excluded from...
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Marginal Tax Rate: What It Is and How to Determine It, With Examples
Marginal tax rates represent the percentage applied to each additional dollar of income within a specific tax bracket, not the taxpayer’s entire earnings. The article explains how the U.S. progressive system works, using a 2025 single‑filers example where a $195,000...