Risk Tolerance

This calculator is designed to help you clarify your comfort level with investment risk.

IRA Eligibility

Use this calculator to determine whether you qualify for the different types of IRAs.

Cost of Retirement

Use this calculator to estimate how much income and savings you may need in retirement.

Estate Taxes

Use this calculator to estimate the federal estate taxes that could be due on your estate after you die.

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Federal Estate Tax Is Much Lower — For Now

The federal estate tax was repealed in 2010, then reinstated by the 2010 Tax Relief Act with new provisions for 2011 and 2012. This article discusses the temporary provisions, the options for estates of 2010 decedents, and potential changes in future years that could subject many more estates to the federal estate tax than under current law.

ETFs for the Conservative Investor

The number of exchange-traded funds has grown rapidly in the last decade. Total ETF assets exceeded $1 trillion in March 2011, an increase of more than $200 million over the previous year. This article explains the potential benefits of ETFs and why some of them might appeal to the risk-averse.

Tax-Efficient Investments for the Tax-Averse

Raising taxes is one of many ideas that have been proposed to help reduce mounting federal budget deficits. Readers who are concerned about the prospect of higher taxes in the future may want to consider the tax advantages associated with municipal bonds and tax-exempt mutual funds.

New Opportunity Under the Federal Gift Tax

The 2010 Tax Relief Act raised the lifetime gift-tax exclusion to $5 million. This means it could be a good time to make the most of tax-free gift transfers. If so, it's important to understand the annual and lifetime gift exemption limits, as well as which gifts might not be subject to them.

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