Financial institutions and brokerage firms occasionally recommend that client accounts be structured as joint or beneficiary-designated accounts without full consideration of the impact on the ...

IF YOU HAVE an individual retirement account, do you recall filling out a beneficiary designation form? That’s the document that allows you to direct the IRA custodian to transfer your IRA to people ...

One of the biggest myths and misconceptions of estate planning is that a will controls the disposition of all one’s assets at death. This is not the case. Failing to distinguish the difference between ...

Making sure affairs are in order and checking in from time to time is key when it comes to protecting loved ones. Ensuring your beneficiary information is updated is one way to help your loved ones ...

The so called “stretch IRA” allows designated beneficiaries to extend required minimum distributions and the tax deferral over their life expectancy based on their age in the year after death.

The calculation of required minimum distributions for beneficiaries has always been uniquely complicated because of confusing tax rules that differ depending on the type of beneficiary, when they ...

The RMD (required minimum distribution) rules for IRA and plan beneficiaries have gone through so many recent changes that it’s not surprising that advisors have lots of questions on which RMD rules ...

David F. Powell, professor, Florida State University School of Law, and Tye J. Klooster attorney, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Chicago These are the sample trust form provisions referenced in the ...

Get Morningstar's essential reading for financial professionals in Advisor Digest. The Secure Act of 2019 created a confusing new array of different “required minimum distribution rules” for “plain ...

If you’re going to die without an estate plan, it’s probably better for your heirs if your retirement money is in an IRA rather than a qualified retirement plan. Frank and Bill, both unmarried, both ...