Understanding How Financial Advisors Are Compensated

With the value provided by good financial decision making and the impediments people face to achieve good financial outcomes for themselves, it is worthwhile discussing more about the advisory profession and understanding how advisors are paid, if for no other reason than in the interest of increased transparency.
Does Your Retirement Plan Account For Your Own Cognitive Decline?

When it comes to financial planning, Vanguard’s “Alpha” and Morningstar’s “Gamma” are really just the tip of the iceberg.
The Value of Sound Financial Decisions: From Alpha to Gamma

David Blanchett and Paul Kaplan at Morningstar created a similar study about the value of good decision making. Their results and approach are different from those of Vanguard, but the goal is the same: to quantify the costs of poor and good decision making. Naturally, many assumptions must be made regarding good financial decisions and the impact of poor financial decisions.
The Value of Sound Financial Decisions

Good financial planning decisions extend well beyond where and how you invest. Two major research efforts have attempted to quantify how good financial decision making can enhance your lifetime standard of living. It is important to understand what this research means, because this may not always equal a higher portfolio return in the short term.
Which Is Better for Retirement Income: Insurance or Investments?

Retirement planning experts have long debated the question: Which is better for retirement income: insurance or investments? Wade Pfau weighs in.
Understanding the Tools in Your Retirement Income Toolbox

You should be familiar with all of the tools in your retirement income toolbox. Retirement plans can be built to manage varying risks by strategically combining the following retirement income tools in different ways.
Should You Downsize in Retirement?

One method for freeing home equity for other uses is to downsize your home as a part of moving. Downsizing could mean either moving to a smaller home, or moving into a similar-sized home in a less expensive community.
How to Age in Place

Originally published at Forbes Another important consideration for housing decisions, whether you decide to stay put or move, is to make sure a foundation exists to comfortably support aging in place. This concept refers to the growing industry around helping the aging population remain in their homes despite functional or cognitive impairments. Individuals benefit from […]
Should I Stay or Should I Go? Housing Decisions in Retirement

A plan to meet housing needs is an important part of a retirement income strategy.
Coverage Options for Long-Term Care Insurance Policies, Pt. 2

It is important to consider which expenses qualify for benefits.