August 2, 2012 14:56July 27, 2012 14:04July 18, 2012 14:39July 11, 2012 09:24

Shawn's Column

New 401(k) Plan Disclosure Rules You may have heard about new disclosure rules that will soon apply to 401(k) plans. Before describing what's ahead, however, a look back may be helpful. (While we'll refer to 401(k) plans in this article, the new rules also apply to other employer-sponsored plans that allow participants to direct their own investments, commonly referred to as "self-directed plans.")   Friday, August 03, 2012

Shawn's Column

Speculating on the Future of the Federal Estate Tax   What's the future of the federal estate tax? All we know is that no one knows for sure; it's all speculation. So, let's take a look at what could happen. There are five possibilities: (1) Congress could extend current tax law (commonly referred to as the "Bush tax cuts"); (2) Congress could do nothing, essentially turning the calendar back to 2001; (3) Congress could compromise, agreeing on something between the 2001 tax rules and the rules that apply in 2012; (4) Congress could enact new estate tax reform; or (5) Congress could repeal the estate tax altogether.   Note:   Only a few of the estate tax laws that are affected are discussed here.   Saturday, July 28, 2012

Stock Market Metrics: Playing the Numbers

There are no infallible guides to stock market movements. However, that doesn't stop investors from using various measurements to try to divine the current and future direction of a stock's price or the equity markets as a whole. Here are some common methods (or metrics) for gauging the stock market. Thursday, July 19, 2012

Ways Parents Can Help Their Boomerang Kids

It’s been called the new retirement wild card. But it’s not inflation, health-care costs, or taxes, though those things certainly matter. What is it that’s causing so much uncertainty? It’s boomerang kids, and the money their parents spend on them. Thursday, July 12, 2012