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There are five broad asset classes that you should take into consideration when constructing your investment portfolio.

Asset allocation is a method used to help manage investment risk; it does not guarantee a profit or protect against investment loss.

A bond is simply evidence of a debt from a government entity or a corporation and represents a long-term IOU.

Both fixed and variable annuities could be appropriate options for an individual interested in purchasing an annuity.

A mutual fund is a collection of stocks, bonds, and other securities with certain benefits and risks.

The difference between purchasing an individual stock versus shares in a mutual fund to potentially earn dividends.

There are other ways to invest in stocks and bonds besides owning individual shares or bonds.

Historically, one of the best ways to fight the effects of inflation has been to utilize growth-oriented investments.

Selecting health insurance is often one of the most important decisions you will make. Do you know the different types?

Company-owned life insurance is one way to help protect a business from financial problems caused by the death of a key employee.

There are techniques that can enable older homeowners to use their property to finance their lifestyle.

Some of the pros and cons of whole life insurance.

Before making investment decisions, it is helpful to determine the real rate of return on the investment.

As a business owner, a disability can create an economic hardship putting both your personal finances and business at risk.

Term life insurance differs from permanent forms of life insurance in that it offers temporary protection.

When selecting a life insurance policy, examine all your options, as well as the positives and negatives of each type.

Biweekly mortgage payments can have a dramatic effect on the amount of interest homeowners have to pay.

There are three basic types of medical insurance plans: fee-for-service, managed care, and high-deductible health plan.

Couples who want to help protect their legacy from estate taxes could consider last-survivor life insurance.

Consider a universal life insurance policy if you want the flexibility to change your premium or death benefit.

Variable life insurance gives you the control to allocate your account value among a variety of investment options.

The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin.

Using a financially sound insurance company is an important part of ensuring your family’s financial security.

A business owner policy is an insurance package that assembles the basic coverages required by a business owner in one bundle.

Shifting some debt to a home equity loan, which typically allows interest payments to be tax deductible, could have its advantages.

An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company to pay you future income in exchange for premiums you pay.

If you have a family who relies on your income, it is important to have life insurance protection.

Split-dollar life insurance is an arrangement to purchase and fund life insurance between two parties.

Many realize it’s important to save for retirement, but knowing exactly how much to save is another issue altogether.

With the changing pension landscape, it is important to take charge of your own retirement security.

A Section 1035 exchange is a tax-free exchange of an existing annuity contract or life insurance policy for a new one.

Annuities, an insurance-based financial vehicle, can provide many benefits that retirement investors might want.

Greater demand is being placed on the Social Security system as the baby boom generation has begun to retire.

While stable, CDs can create an income tax bill. Fixed annuities and municipal bonds can offer tax advantages.

For the grantor, there are a few potential tax benefits that can come with setting up a charitable trust.

Want to keep more of your mutual fund profits? You may be interested in strategies to help lower your tax liability.

It's important to understand tax-exempt vehicles when establishing a comprehensive tax planning strategy.

IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government.

A 1035 exchange allows you to exchange your life insurance policy for one from another company without tax liability.

Consider a trustee-to-trustee transfer to an IRA versus a lump-sum distribution from a workplace retirement plan.

With traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans, taxes are not payable until funds are withdrawn.

Capital gains are profits realized from the sale of assets; a tax is triggered only when an asset is sold, not held.

Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account.

The federal gift tax applies to gifts of property or money while the donor is living.

Tax-deferred retirement account withdrawals before age 59½ generally trigger a 10% federal tax penalty.

An A-B trust can be an effective way to help reduce estate taxes and preserve family assets for heirs.

Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property distributed, but they also go beyond that.

If you believe your estate will be subject to estate taxes, consider how your heirs will pay the bill.