Personal Finance

A structured product is a contract that promises to pay a future amount based on the performance of an underlying asset, such as a stock, market index, or commodity. The payoff is usually linked to a preset formula.

REITs are traded on major exchanges, and they offer a few major benefits over owning specific properties.

As the capital markets have improved, more investors have shifted their concern from weathering the financial crisis to anticipating the inflationary effects of rising federal spending and debt.

Diversification gives investors a valuable tool for managing risk and volatility in an investment portfolio. Effective diversification, however, requires diligent maintenance.

The higher your marginal tax bracket, the more likely a tax-free mutual fund will be beneficial.

It is easy to underestimate in good times the consequences of excessive debt and low liquidity when times are tough, however. Like anything else, moderation is the key.

The average U.S. citizen is living longer primarily because of advancements in medical care. This means a higher likelihood of needing long-term care.

Investing in an ETF provides investors with the ability to invest in index-type portfolios that replicate the returns of many widely known indexes.

With the IRA generally representing most physicians' largest financial asset, it only makes sense to ensure that retirement account beneficiary decisions are carefully made.

Significant time is spent developing methods or strategies that come close to that "perfect investment." None is as popular or compelling as Modern Portfolio Theory.

Often neglected in the life insurance strategy is the estate tax consequence associated with the ownership and ultimate payout of the insurance policy's death benefit.

Estate tax repeal is now officially under way. However, repeal may be temporary, as many believe Congress will revive the tax this year.

As physicians contemplate the impact of potentially higher taxation, it is imperative to compare investment yields or returns on an after-tax basis.

Estate planning strategies utilize various trusts to minimize estate tax liability as well as provide assistance or management for the surviving family.

Asset protection strategies and estate planning techniques often operate in conjunction with each other.

Looking for a financial adviser? With this list of the 150 best financial advisers for physicians, there are plenty to choose from.

2010 will be a pivotal year for retirement planning, as it will be the first time taxpayers will be able to convert funds in regular IRAs to Roth IRAs, regardless of their income level.

Last year's market selloff led many investors to take advantage of some unique tax planning opportunities.

During our working years, we justify the negative impact of inflation by relying on the expectation that our incomes will rise at levels consistent with or above inflation. Unfortunately, many of today's physicians are experiencing just the opposite.

With all of the negative sentiment surrounding the financial markets, is it appropriate to simply avoid them until things improve?

Classifying market movements is easy in hindsight, but how do you know which type of market we are heading into before it happens? The answer is that no one can predict market movements with any consistency.

One of the most effective strategies to protect assets is not to own them if you are an "at-risk" individual.

Like everyone else, I'm frustrated and confused by the stock market and the global economic situation. How can I reduce the risk in my portfolio but still have it grow for the long term?

Now that stocks have lost so much value from where they were, is this a good time to be investing? If so, what's the best approach to take?

Delaying decisions about life insurance can result in expensive and unintended tragic consequences.

With regard to 529 plans, is it advantageous to use my own state's plan, and what are the rules about contributions and withdrawals?

As someone who is 20 years away from retirement, does it still make sense to contribute to my 401(k) plan with the market suffering; and if it does, what limits and rules should I be aware of?

Understanding the different index components can be very helpful in making comparisons and in explaining why your portfolio as a whole doesn't match up to one specific index.

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities have caused physicians to take a closer look at bonds as a viable alternative or complement to their equity holdings.

Many physicians are surprised to learn that a will may be the least important element in their estate plan.