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Five ways for an advisor to improve IRA business

Five ways for an advisor to improve IRA business

Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) continue to comprise the largest segment of assets in the retirement industry. Most of the growth is driven by rollovers, creating opportunities for financial advisors working with clients who are deciding what to do with their 401(k) assets. Here are five ideas that advisors may use to try to grow their

Studies reveal what’s driving IRA growth

Studies reveal what’s driving IRA growth

With their growth rate expected to nearly double that of 401(k) assets in the next five years, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) continue to be a leading segment in the retirement industry. Here are some highlights of the growing IRA market: 1. The traditional IRA represents the largest share of U.S. retirement assets. In a 2014

Keep student debt down with a 529 plan

Keep student debt down with a 529 plan

At a record $1 trillion, outstanding student debt is second only to mortgages as the largest source of household debt, the Fed reported. That trend is likely to continue. With the average cost of a four-year degree from a public university at $30,000, the need to borrow continues to rise. Of the 37 million Americans

Six strategies for maximizing college financial aid

Six strategies for maximizing college financial aid

Preparing to apply for college financial aid should begin well before a student even fills out his or her first college application. In fact, saving early and understanding the application process are important actions to take in order to maximize the potential for financial aid. SchoolFamily.com offers a college preparation guide with 15 ways to

Tackling the rising costs of higher education

Tackling the rising costs of higher education

Nearly 20 million Americans attend college each year, and, of those, nearly 60% borrow annually to help cover costs. While many may borrow to pay for tuition, there are challenges associated with debt that may be particularly difficult for students seeking a job after graduation. The Federal Reserve notes that there is roughly $1 trillion

Too big a tax bite in 2013? Review strategies to help your clients in 2014.

Too big a tax bite in 2013? Review strategies to help your clients in 2014.

If clients are stinging from this year’s tax bill, it’s time to consider strategies that may improve the situation for next year. The 2013 tax year is the first that some taxpayers saw the difference in their bills due to higher marginal income tax rates and new taxes resulting from the health-care reform law, including

New ruling on rollovers could impact your IRA clients

New ruling on rollovers could impact your IRA clients

A recent decision by the United States Tax Court limits the number of IRA rollovers that an individual can do in a year. While the new ruling may cause confusion or concern for some clients, the limit does not apply to direct transfers. IRA owners may move funds from one IRA to another either by