Financial News
Retirement PlanningRetiring Your Tax BillSome states are becoming tighter-fisted with tax breaks for retirement income, while others are hoping to lure retirees by exempting more income from taxation. The Case for Muni BondsWhen municipal-bond funds make sense in retirement accounts?and when they don't. The Case for Spending ItThere's more to life than amassing assets. Here are some tips on finding financial balance. A New Senior MomentZumba classes and sushi chefs: The newest generation of 55-plus communities caters to active?and demanding?retirees. Retirement Is No Holiday From DebtThe statistics on debt among older Americans reflect a stark change in their finances. Nearly 40% of 75-year-olds are carrying debt. Readers' Questions About the 4% Rule for RetirementHere are answers to questions that WSJ readers asked following our recent article rethinking a classic strategy for making a nest egg last a lifetime. A 401(k) Defense Against Rising Rates'Stable value' accounts are likely to fare better than bond funds when interest rates head up again. Second Acts: Helping Trauma VictimsIn remembrance of their son, who was killed on 9/11, a retired doctor and his wife started a nonprofit that helps trauma victims in third world countries. A Low-Cost Option for Your Nest Egg'Collective trusts' have no ticker symbol and hard-to-find performance data. But they could be worth a second look. Lower Your Taxes on Social Security BenefitsThese steps can help reduce the tax bite on your Social Security benefits. Social Security's 'Family Maximum' on BenefitsAsk Encore tackles Social Security benefits, contributions to IRAs and college financing. Advising an Unmarried Same-Sex CoupleTina Tenret, vice president of ProVise Management Group, helps an unmarried same-sex couple plan for one to become a stay-at-home parent. Tax-Free Gifts Aren't Limited to Family MembersYou can give away as much as $14,000 this year tax-free to anyone you want. And you can pay for a person's medical and tuition expenses directly as well. After Shares Decline, Electric Utilities BrightenUtility boosters point to dividend yields that now average 4%, plus slow but relatively predictable profit growth of 4% to 5% annually over the next few years. Social Security?Call It 'Married With Benefits'For married couples planning their retirement, a mortality forecast can be a do-or-die financial issue or the surviving spouse. Funds That Miss the TargetMore investors have big chunks of their retirement savings in "target-date" mutual funds. But these simple-seeming vehicles can be unexpectedly complicated. The Biggest Mistake Parents Make With College FinancesOur group of industry and academic thought leaders weigh in on the worst pitfalls to avoid when preparing to fund your child's higher education. Chrysler to Freeze Pension PlanChrysler will freeze its U.S. pension plan for about 8,000 salaried workers, transferring those employees to a defined contribution plan starting in 2014. Idling Older Workers to Help the Young?Or Not?In the search for solutions to Europe's youth unemployment crisis, governments are blowing the cobwebs off a decades-old idea that many economists had hoped would remain in the attic for good, writes Matthew Dalton. Should You Make a Personal Budget?Tracking your spending habits can be a great way to take control of your finances, but is it worth the hassle? The Experts weigh in. How Much You Should Invest AbroadWhat percentage of your portfolio should consist of non-U.S. investments? The Experts?an exclusive group of wealth management thought leaders?weigh in. |
