Welcome to our Planning Tools section.  Here you will find numerous articles that have selected to assist you in making a variety of decisions for both your personal and business financial needs.  For the Business Owner and anyone interested in starting a business, you will find articles on the different forms of business entities, advertising, insuring and, tax planning.  Also in this section - how to fund a business, setting up a retirement plan and should you be self-employed.  All chosen to assist you in making decisions for a successful future. In the Education Planning section are various articles on financial aid and 529 plans, student loans and tax credits.  We all want our children to succeed but we don't want to have to break the bank to help them get there.  You can even save for their education and your retirement at the same time! Estate Planning is not something that you want to think about regardless of whether you're 25 or 65 but it is necessary for all of us.  It doesn't matter how much or how little you have, you want to protect it.  Find articles on wills, probate, trusts and the basics of planning for an estate. Government Benefits discusses Medicare and Social Security - when you should apply, how much can I get, is it taxable and, how it can be used for your medical expenses. We all want to save the money that we earn or at least put it to good use and make more money with it but, how's the best way to do that?  Should you choose stocks, bonds or mutual funds?  Is tax-free better in the long run than taxable?  Take a look at the different articles in the Investment Planning section. In todays' trying economic times we all need to know how to deal with our basic financial needs.  If you're buying a house or selling one - should you?  What happens if you can't?  Should you buy that new car or just lease it?  What about my credit report?  For these and other personal financial questions, take a look at the various articles under Personal Finance. The Protection Planning section covers insurance - auto, health, life, disability and long-term care.  These articles discuss the different types of insurance to help you decide what you need and how much you need so that you can plan how to protect your assets now and in the future. Planning for Retirement would be easier if we had a crystal ball but since we don't, these articles can provide you with answers to your questions about pension and investment income, social security, how soon should you start and how much should you have.  what if I have to consider a nursing home for me or my parents? At one time or another we all face Special Situations.  The section covers the different areas of marriage, divorce, careers, loss of a loved one and children. The Tax Planning section discusses general questions about withholdings, credits and deductions.

Business Owner   Articles     Insuring a business       Business liability insurance basics       Income tax tips: business insurance       Insuring your home business       Should you self-insure your business?       Why insure your business?     Starting a business       Advantages and disadvantages of self-employment       Choosing an entity for your business       Funding a business       Record keeping for your own business       Starting or buying a business       Tax planning for the self-employed   Decision Tools     Benefits and retirement plans       Building a retirement plan for your business   FAQs     Advertising a business       How can I get free publicity for my business?       How do I know where to advertise my business?       What is the best form of advertising?     Home-based businesses       Can I deduct home office expenses?       If I work at home occasionally, am I entitled to a home office deduction?     Raising capital       Can I borrow money from my wholly owned business?       How can I raise capital for my business?     Starting a business       Don't most small businesses fail?       How do I find good advisors such as lawyers and accountants to help with my business?       Should I buy an existing business or start from scratch?       What are the stages of business development?       What should I look for in a business location?   Education Planning   Articles     529 plans       529 plans and financial aid eligibility       529 plans: The ins and outs of contributions and withdrawals       Income tax planning and 529 plans       The ABCs of 529 plans     Education planning basics       ABCs of financial aid       Education tax credits       Finding money to pay college bills out of pocket       Saving for retirement and a child's education at the same time       Sticker shock--creative ways to lower the cost of college       Student loan basics   Decision Tools     Financial aid       College application and financial aid calendar       Financial aid calendar     Tax issues       Comparison of education tax credits and deductions       Qualified education expenses defined       Summary of tax-advantaged college savings options   FAQs     529 plan basics       Do 529 plans include both state savings plans and prepaid tuition plans?     Student loans       Are my student loan payments tax deductible?       I'm having trouble paying my student loans. What should I do?       Should I pay off my student loans early with a home equity loan?     Using or withdrawing 529 funds       Can 529 funds be used for general living expenses while at college?       Can the funds in a 529 plan be used for college expenses if my child is only attending part-time?       My child got a full scholarship to college--now what?       My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can he use the 529 funds for graduate school?       My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can we use the 529 funds for her private elementary or secondary school?       What happens if my child finishes college and there is money left over in the 529 account?       What happens to my 529 plan if my child wants to postpone going to college for a year or two after high school?       What happens to the funds in my 529 account if my child doesn't go to college?   Estate Planning   Articles     Assets       Asset protection in estate planning       Estate planning and 529 plans     Charitable giving       Charitable giving     Estate planning basics       Estate planning--an introduction       Facing the possibility of incapacity       Gift and estate taxes       Trust basics       Wills--the cornerstone of your estate plan     Life insurance       Life insurance: do you need it?       The ins and outs of policy ownership     Medicaid planning       Medicaid and nursing home care       Medicaid and the principal residence       Medicaid planning basics     Probate       Bypassing probate       Understanding probate   Decision Tools     Business planning       Business life insurance needs       Business succession planning alternatives       Planning for succession of a business interest     Charitable giving       The best property to give to charity     Estate planning basics       Common incapacity documents       Estate shrinkage       Steps to estate planning success       Table of federal estate tax brackets and exemption limits     Life insurance       Life insurance needs analyzer     Probate       The probate process: 3 to 9 months after death       The probate process: 9 to 12 months after death       The probate process: initial tasks       Types of post-mortem elections     Trusts       Advantages of trusts   FAQs     Estate and gift tax       How can I determine what my business is worth for estate and gift tax purposes?       How can I minimize taxes on my estate?       I intend to make tuition payments directly to my grandchild's college, and I know this will reduce my estate. But would it be better to contribute to a 529 plan instead?       I just made a gift. Do I have to file a gift tax return?       Will the value of my 529 account be included in my estate or my beneficiary's estate?     Estate planning basics       How often do I need to review my estate plan?       Isn't estate planning only for the rich?       What makes up my taxable estate?     Life insurance and estate planning       Are life insurance proceeds income taxable?       What is a life insurance trust and why should I consider establishing one?       When I die, is my beneficiary required to take a lump-sum payment of my life insurance death benefit?       Will my beneficiaries have to pay taxes on the proceeds of my life insurance policy?     Planning for incapacity       What is an advanced directive for health care, and will it help me avoid court involvement during incapacity?       What is the difference between a power of attorney and a durable power of attorney?     Probate       Does property owned jointly avoid probate?       What is probate and why do I want to avoid it?     Trusts       Can an UGMA/UTMA account reduce my child's financial aid for college?       Should I establish a trust for my child's college education fund?       What is a living trust?     Wills       Can I disinherit relatives I don't like?       Can I transfer my business through my will?       Do I have to accept a bequest I don't want?       Do I need an attorney to prepare my will?       What is the difference between a living will and a living trust?       What will happen if I die without a will?       Who should I name as guardian of my children in case my spouse and I should die at the same time?       Who should I name as trustee?   Government Benefits   Articles     Medicare and Medicaid       Coordinating long-term care insurance with government benefits       Health insurance in retirement       Medicaid and nursing home care       Medicaid and the principal residence       Medicaid planning basics       Medicare     Social Security       Social Security disability benefits       Social Security retirement benefits       Social Security survivor's benefits       Understanding Social Security   Decision Tools     Medicare and Medicaid       Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care       Medicare figures at-a-glance       Medicare, Medigap, and Medicaid     Social Security       Disability income needs worksheet       How earnings affect Social Security       Social Security figures at-a-glance       Sources of retirement income: filling the Social Security gap   FAQs     Medicare and Medicaid       How do I enroll in Medicare?       How does Medicare Advantage work?       I'm putting money into a 529 plan for my grandchild. But are the 529 assets subject to Medicaid spend-down requirements?       I'm thinking about placing my mother in a nursing home. Will Medicaid pay for her care?       If I'm covered by Medicare, should I have additional health insurance?     Social Security       Are my Social Security benefits subject to income tax?       How can I get an estimate of my Social Security benefits?       How do I get disability benefits from Social Security?       Should I retire now at age 62 and collect Social Security benefits, or should I wait until age 65?       What happens if I start collecting Social Security after age 65?       When I retire, how much will I receive from Social Security?   Investment Planning   Articles     Choosing investment vehicles       Annuity basics       Creating an investment portfolio       Investing in bonds       Investing in stocks       Mutual fund basics       Other investments       The best ways to save for college       Understanding mutual fund share classes     Investment basics       Handling market volatility       Investment planning--the basics       Six keys to successful investing       Taxation of investments       Understanding investment terms and concepts       Understanding risk     Investment goals       Can I afford to send my child to college?       Common investment goals       Retirement planning--the basics   Decision Tools     Creating an investment portfolio       Annuities       Asset allocation pie chart illustrator       Building an investment portfolio       College funding options analyzer       Common types of mutual funds       Investing for retirement     Investment planning basics       Common investment mistakes to avoid       Consumer price index inflation calculator       Growth of annual deposits calculator       Investor Profile and Asset Allocation Calculator       Simple rules for investing       Steps to financial planning success     Taxes       Capital gains and dividends tax relief   FAQs     Creating an investment portfolio       Does a state savings plan allow me to choose my own investments?       How aggressive should I be when I invest for retirement?       How do I construct an investment portfolio that's right for me?       How long should I hang on to an investment?       How much of my portfolio should I keep in stocks?       How should I structure my retirement portfolio?       What recourse do I have if I'm unhappy with my state savings plan's investment performance?       What's the difference between how a state savings plan invests and how a prepaid tuition plan invests?     Investing basics       How can I gauge my risk tolerance?       Is there any type of insurance that can protect against losses from investments?       Should I invest my extra cash or use it to pay off debt?     Mutual funds       How does a 529 plan compare with investing in a mutual fund in my name?       Is it better to invest in a tax-free or a taxable mutual fund?       Should I invest in mutual funds or individual securities?     Savings bonds       Are government savings bonds risk free?       Are savings bonds a good way to save?       Do series EE bonds offer any special advantages if used for college savings?     Stocks       Should I invest in mutual funds or individual securities?       Should I work with a stockbroker to buy individual stocks?       What is a stock split?       Who do I call if I have a complaint about my stockbroker?     Taxes       I have investment property. What does basis mean, and how do I determine the basis of my property?       Will I have to pay tax on my investment income?   Personal Finance   Articles     Buying a car       ABCs of auto insurance       Buying a car     Financial basics       Establishing a budget       Getting started: establishing a financial safety net       Working with a financial advisor     Managing credit and debt       Choosing a credit card       Contemplating bankruptcy       Credit traps for the unwary       Debt consolidation       How student loans inpact your credit       Understanding your credit report     Owning a home       Applying for a mortgage       Buying a home       Buying a home both you and your insurer will love       Opening the door to homeowners insurance       Refinancing your mortgage       Selling a home       Tapping the equity in your home       Tax benefits of home ownership       Your home as a source of dollars in retirement   Decision Tools     Owning a car       Auto insurance analyzer       Auto loan payment calculator       How to save money on your auto insurance       Should you buy or lease your car?     Owning a home       Homeowners insurance quiz       How to save money on your homeowners insurance       Is my home mortgage interest fully deductible?       Less common mortgage options       Mortgage payment calculator       Popular types of mortgages       Should you refinance your mortgage?     Saving, spending, and borrowing       Consumer price index inflation calculator       Credit cards--advantages vs. disadvantages       Deciding which credit card to get       Loan amortization calculator       Net worth calculator       Personal cash flow worksheet   FAQs     Bankruptcy       Can I buy a house even though I declared bankruptcy?       I can't pay my bills. Should I declare bankruptcy?       What's the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy?     Buying a home       Can I buy a house even though I declared bankruptcy?       Can I buy a house with no money down?       How much house can I afford?       How much money do I have to put down to buy a house?       Should I buy a home or continue renting?       Should my partner and I buy a house together even though we're not married?       We just bought our first home. What can we deduct from the settlement statement?       What is involved in buying a house that's for sale by owner?       What's the Homestead Act?     Credit basics       How can I correct errors on my credit report?       How can I figure out my net worth?       How can I get credit if I have no credit history?       How can I protect myself against identity theft?       How can I reduce my spending?       How can I repair my poor credit?       How do I get a copy of my credit report?       How long should I keep copies of my tax returns?       How much money should I keep in a savings account for emergencies?       I can't pay my bills. Should I declare bankruptcy?       Should I invest my extra cash or use it to pay off debt?       Will debt consolidation hurt or help my credit rating?     Credit cards       How can I lower the interest rate on my credit card?       How can I pay off my credit card debt?       I get a lot of credit card offers. How can I tell which one is best?       I've finally paid off my credit cards. Should I close the accounts or leave them open with zero balances?     Mortgages       Can I use a piggyback mortgage as an alternative to private mortgage insurance?       Can my mortgage lender require me to have an escrow account?       I am behind on my mortgage payments. Will my lender begin foreclosure proceedings?       I'm a first-time homebuyer, and I don't have a lot of cash to put down on a house. What type of mortgage would be best for me?       I'm having a hard time selling my home. Should I take out a reverse mortgage?       My mortgage includes a statement that a penalty may be imposed for early payoff. What does that mean?       Should I choose a mortgage with no points and pay a higher interest rate, or should I put money toward points to lower the interest rate on a mortgage?       Should I pay off my student loans early with a home equity loan?       Should I take out a home equity loan to pay for my child's tuition?       What are the advantages of making biweekly mortgage payments?       What's involved in getting a VA mortgage?       What's the difference between a home equity line of credit and a second mortgage?       Which mortgage is better--fixed rate or adjustable?       Why do I have to purchase homeowners insurance in order to obtain a mortgage?     Private mortgage insurance       What's private mortgage insurance , and can my mortgage lender require me to have it?     Refinancing a mortgage       I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?       Should I refinance my home mortgage?     Selling a home       How do I figure the tax on the sale of my home?       I'm having a hard time selling my home. Should I take out a reverse mortgage?       I'm retired now and own my home outright, but I need money to live on. How can I use my home to raise some money without selling it?       Should I sell or rent out my present home?     Spousal credit issues       Am I liable for my spouse's debts?       I'm marrying someone with bad credit. How will this affect me?       Should I open a joint checking account with my spouse?       What's the difference between an "injured spouse" and an "innocent spouse"?   Protection Planning   Articles     Annuities       Annuities and retirement planning       Annuities: traps for the unwary       Annuity basics       Annuity distributions       Fixed annuity contracts       Funding an annuity: what are the options?       Guaranteed annuity contracts       Qualified and nonqualified annuities       Shopping for an annuity       Tax planning for annuities       Tax-deferred annuities: are they right for you?       Variable annuities     Automobile insurance       ABCs of auto insurance       Auto accident checklist       Auto insurance for 20-somethings       Auto insurance for the hard-to-insure       Baby on board: keeping your child safe in the car       Buying a new car? Asking these questions might save you money on your auto insurance       Comparing auto insurance policies       Dealing with the damage: the auto repair process       Deer and moose are deadly road hazards       Driving defensively at any age       Filing an auto insurance claim       Five ways to fight auto insurance fraud       How automobile insurance premiums are determined       How much auto insurance coverage do you need?       How safe is that new car?       Insuring a teenage driver       Insuring your boat       Insuring your personal watercraft       Insuring your snowmobile and ATV       Is your teen ready to drive?       Lawsuits: what every driver needs to know       Liability coverage under your personal auto insurance policy       Medical payments coverage       Motorcycle insurance       No-fault insurance       Policy options       Preventing car theft       Rental car insurance       Shopping for auto insurance       Understanding your personal automobile policy       Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage       Who's covered under your auto insurance policy?       Will your auto insurance premiums go up after an auto accident?     Business insurance       Business automobile insurance basics       Business interruption insurance       Business liability insurance basics       Commercial general liability       Disability income insurance for the self-employed       Group health insurance: a valued employee benefit       Group term life insurance       Health insurance for the self-employed       Income tax tips: business insurance       Insuring your home business       Key employee life and disability insurance       Life insurance for the self-employed       Offering group disability insurance       Professional liability coverage       Properly insuring your business       Should you self-insure your business?       Understanding your business owners policy       What employers need to know about workers' compensation insurance       Why insure your business?     Disability insurance       Beyond the basics: disability income insurance riders       Comparing disability income insurance policies       Disability income insurance: typical policy features       Do you need disability income insurance?       Group disability insurance       How disability income insurance policies define disability       How much disability income insurance should you have?       Long-term vs. short-term disability income insurance       Lowering the cost of disability insurance       Tax planning tips: disability insurance       The fundamentals of disability insurance       Understanding waiting periods       Where to get disability coverage     General insurance topics       Accidental death and dismemberment insurance       Buying insurance: what savvy consumers should know       Choosing an insurance provider       Fighting insurance fraud       Finding and using insurance company rating information       Finding and working with an insurance agent or broker       Handling a dispute with your insurance company       Insurance concerns of divorcing couples       Insurance contract basics       Insurance needs in retirement       Pet insurance       Shopping for insurance       Travel insurance       Types of insurance       Umbrella liability insurance       Why buy insurance?     Health insurance       Alternative therapies       Archer medical savings accounts       Buying short-term health insurance       Comparing health insurance plans       Coping with medical bills       Coping with rising prescription costs       Dental insurance       Getting health insurance when you're hard to insure       Group health insurance       Health insurance and COBRA: sometimes you can take it with you       Health insurance and divorce       Health insurance for college students       Health insurance in retirement       Health insurance made simple       HMOs and PPOs: what's the difference?       Individual health insurance       Limitations, exclusions, and riders       Lowering the cost of health care       Making the most of your group health benefits       Planning a family? Get to know your health insurance policy       Prescription plans       Tax tips: health insurance       Trends in managed care       Understanding managed care       Understanding your health insurance policy       Vision care insurance       Where to get health insurance     Homeowners insurance       Are you covered if . . .?       Buying a home both you and your insurer will love       Comparing homeowners policies       Conducting a home inventory       Earthquake insurance       Filing a homeowners insurance claim       Fire prevention and safety tips       Flood insurance       Home security tips       How much homeowners insurance coverage should you have?       How to save money on homeowners insurance       Insuring a condo or co-op       Insuring a manufactured home       Insuring a new home during construction       Insuring your home during remodeling       Insuring your personal computer or laptop       Insuring your vacation home       Insuring your valuables       Leaving your home alone for the winter       Liability insurance under your homeowners policy       Mold: are you covered?       Natural disasters: are you prepared?       Opening the door to homeowners insurance       Renters insurance       Shopping for homeowners insurance       Tax tips: homeowners insurance       Understanding your homeowners policy       When homeowners are dogowners       Who is covered under your homeowners policy?       Windstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes: are you covered?       Winterizing your home     Life insurance       Cash value life insurance       Claiming life insurance benefits       Comparing life insurance policies       Designating a beneficiary for life insurance       How does cash value in a life insurance policy really work?       How much life insurance do you need?       Life insurance and estate planning       Life insurance and terminal illness       Life insurance at various life stages       Life insurance basics       Life insurance for children       Life insurance: do you need it?       Life insurance: the application process       Making policy loans and withdrawals       Planning ahead for life insurance proceeds       Reading and understanding your life insurance policy       Shopping for life insurance       Surrendering your life insurance policy       Term life insurance       Term vs. cash value life insurance       The ins and outs of policy ownership       Traditional whole life insurance       Types of life insurance policies       Universal life insurance     Long-term care insurance       Coordinating long-term care insurance with government benefits       Do your parents need long-term care insurance?       Five things to watch out for when buying long-term care insurance       If long-term care insurance isn't right for you: other options       Long-term care insurance: how does it work?       Should you buy long-term care insurance?       Tax tips: long-term care insurance       Understanding long-term care insurance       Understanding long-term care riders and options       Using life insurance riders to pay for long-term care       What do long-term care insurance policies cover?   Decision Tools     Annuities       Advantages and disadvantages of tax-deferred fixed annuities       Advantages and disadvantages of variable annuities       Annuities       Fixed vs. variable annuities       How a fixed deferred annuity works       How a variable annuity works       Immediate vs. deferred annuities       Understanding annuity expenses     Automobile insurance       Auto insurance analyzer       How to save money on your auto insurance     Business insurance       Business life insurance needs       How entity purchase plans work       How insurance preserves assets     Disability insurance       Disability insurance benefit period       Disability insurance waiting period       Disability insurance waiver of premiums       How much disability insurance can you buy?       Individual/group disability policy alternatives       Residual and partial disability benefits       When do you qualify for disability benefits?     General insurance topics       How insurance preserves assets       Personal liability umbrella insurance     Health insurance       Comparison of typical health plans       Which health plan is right for you?     Homeowners insurance       Disaster checklist       Fall/winter home maintenance checklist       Home inventory checklist       Homeowners insurance quiz       How to save money on your homeowners insurance       Personal liability umbrella insurance     Life insurance       Advantages and disadvantages of cash value insurance       Advantages and disadvantages of term insurance       Comparison of types of life insurance       How traditional whole life insurance works       Life insurance needs analyzer       Net worth calculator     Long-term care insurance       Comparing long-term care insurance policies       Inflation protection options       What to avoid when buying a long-term care insurance policy   FAQs     Annuities       Can I change my annuity for one with a better interest rate?       I bought an annuity a few years ago, but I don't want it anymore. Is there a way to get rid of it?       I can choose a single life annuity for my pension or a joint and survivor annuity that makes payments to my spouse when I die. Which is better?       I'm confused--is an annuity an investment vehicle or an insurance policy?       What is an annuity?     Automobile insurance       Another driver smashed my car, but he doesn't have insurance. How am I going to pay for the repairs?       Do I need to get auto insurance before I buy a new car?       Do I need to insure a car that's worth only a few hundred dollars?       Do I need to provide credit information on my auto insurance application?       Does my auto insurance policy cover flood damage?       Does my auto insurance policy cover me on car trips outside the United States?       Help! I forgot to pay my auto insurance premium last month. Will my insurance company cancel my policy?       How can I find insurance for my sailboat?       How can I reduce my auto insurance bill?       How can I reduce the expense of insuring a teenage driver?       How do I know if my auto insurance covers my broken windshield?       I don't own a car, but occasionally I borrow my friend's car. Do I need my own auto insurance policy?       I drive my own car on company business. Whose insurance will pay for damages if I get into an accident?       I just had a car accident. How do I file a claim with my insurance company?       I'm buying my first car. What should I look for in an insurance company?       I'm considered a "risky driver." How can I get insurance?       I'm considering leasing a car. Is there any special insurance I need?       I'm traveling to Europe this summer and won't need my car. Can I get my auto insurance suspended to save money?       I've found a better deal on auto insurance, but how hard is it to switch from one insurance company to another?       If I let someone borrow my car, does my insurance policy still cover me?       Is hail damage covered under a typical auto insurance policy?       Is it true that some sport utility vehicles cost more to insure than others?       Is there a minimum number of quotes I should get when shopping for an auto insurance policy?       My car was totaled in an accident. Can I negotiate the settlement amount?       My insurance company paid the bill for some body work done on my car after an accident, but I'm unhappy with the repair work. Is it too late to complain?       My mother is 90. Is it OK for her to keep driving?       Our daughter will be taking one of our family cars to college. Is this allowed under our auto insurance policy?       Should I buy medical payments coverage?       What are points, and do they affect my insurance rates?       What is "no-fault" insurance?       When I rent a car, should I purchase the collision damage waiver insurance that's offered to me?       Why do I need to provide so much information when getting an auto insurance quote?       Will my insurance premiums go up if I marry someone with a bad driving record?     Business insurance       A cell phone and laptop computer owned by my company were inside my briefcase when it was stolen. Will my company's insurance cover the loss?       Can I get disability insurance if I'm self-employed?       How can I get affordable health insurance if I'm self-employed?       I use my laptop computer for my home business. Is it covered under my homeowners policy?       I'm an independent contractor. Where can I get health and disability insurance?       I'm thinking about opening a day-care business in my home. Does this raise any insurance issues?       What is errors and omissions insurance?       What is stop-loss insurance?       What kind of insurance coverage do I need for my small business?     Disability insurance       Can I buy short-term disability coverage through my employer?       Do I need disability insurance?       Do long-term disability insurance premiums depend on the nature of my job?       How can I reduce the cost of disability insurance?       How do I apply for workers' compensation benefits?       I broke my leg and can't work for two months. Am I entitled to file a disability claim with my employer?       If I have long-term disability insurance coverage through my employer, do I need my own policy, too?       Will I have to pay life insurance premiums if I become disabled?     General insurance topics       Can I buy health insurance for my dog?       How can I find insurance for my sailboat?       How do I insure my coin collection?       How long does an insurance company have to respond to a claim I've filed?       I'm going on a cruise. Do I need trip interruption insurance?       I'm looking for a job. How can I tell if an employer is offering a good insurance benefit package?       Is there any type of insurance that can protect against losses from investments?       My child is heading off to college this fall. What insurance issues does this raise?       My cleaning person is bonded and insured. Is that important?       Should I buy travel insurance?       What are independent insurance agents?       What is funeral insurance, and do I need it?       What kind of insurance can I buy to cover my diamond engagement ring?     Health insurance       Can I see a specialist outside of my HMO provider network?       Do I need cancer insurance?       Does a typical dental insurance policy cover braces?       Does my health insurance cover prescriptions filled by an on-line pharmacy?       How can I get affordable health insurance if I'm self-employed?       How long am I covered under my parents' health insurance policies?       How much health insurance coverage do I need?       I'll be changing jobs next month, and I'm pregnant. Will I qualify for health insurance coverage with my new employer?       I'm planning on living in Europe for several months. Do I need special health insurance?       If I leave my job, will I lose my employer-sponsored health insurance?       If my employer goes out of business and discontinues its health insurance plan, am I still eligible for COBRA benefits?       Is dental care covered under Medigap insurance?       Is prescription drug coverage part of my medical coverage?       My husband and I are getting divorced. How do we decide whose health insurance policy will cover the children?       What are health reimbursement arrangements?       What happens if my Medicare HMO goes out of business?       What is critical illness insurance?       What is Medigap?       What is prescription insurance?       What recourse do I have if my insurer will cover only the generic version of a drug my doctor has prescribed?       What's the birthday rule all about?       What's the difference between an HMO and a PPO?       Which is better, an HMO or a PPO?       Will Medicare alone be enough to cover my health-care needs in retirement?       Will short-term health insurance cover all my medical expenses?     Homeowners insurance       A cell phone and laptop computer owned by my company were inside my briefcase when it was stolen. Will my company's insurance cover the loss?       A plumber damaged my bathroom during a repair. Will my homeowners insurance cover the damage?       A squirrel got into my home and caused a lot of damage. Is this covered by my homeowners insurance policy?       Are hunting rifles covered under my homeowners insurance?       Are manufactured homes safer these days?       Can I save money on my homeowners insurance premium if I install a home security system?       Do I need flood insurance if I buy a third-floor condo on the beach?       Do I need flood insurance?       Do I need title insurance if I'm buying a condominium?       Do I need to let my homeowners insurance company know that I'm refinancing my mortgage?       Does homeowners insurance cover losses that occur outside my home?       Does my homeowners insurance cover what's in my yard?       How can I insure my possessions during a move?       How can I reduce the cost of my homeowners insurance?       How do I determine how much renters insurance I need?       How do I insure my historic home?       I need to file a claim on my homeowners insurance. How do I do this?       I use my laptop computer for my home business. Is it covered under my homeowners policy?       I'm building a new home. Do I need to insure it while it's under construction? If so, how can I do this?       I'm placing some items in a self-storage facility. Will they be covered under my homeowners insurance policy?       I'm planning to add an in-law apartment to my home. How will this affect my homeowners insurance?       I'm thinking about opening a day-care business in my home. Does this raise any insurance issues?       I've just bought a pair of expensive skis. Will they be covered under my homeowners insurance?       If I file repeated claims for flood damage, will my flood insurance premiums go up?       If I move, do I need to get new homeowners insurance, or can I transfer my existing policy?       If I rent my home, what are my insurance needs?       If my home is completely destroyed by a storm, will my homeowners insurance cover my living expenses until I can rebuild?       Is jewelry or art covered under my homeowners policy?       Is landscaping covered under my homeowners insurance?       My friend and I share an apartment. Will her renters policy cover my possessions?       My house has appreciated in value over the past 10 years. Do I need more homeowners insurance?       My neighbor's tree fell onto my property and ruined my shrubs. Whose insurance will cover the damage?       My property is close to a river. Do I need flood insurance?       My washing machine flooded our basement. Does my homeowners insurance cover this?       The pipes in my condo burst, and the water damaged the condo below. Whose insurance will cover the damage?       What is a hurricane deductible?       Why do I have to purchase homeowners insurance in order to obtain a mortgage?       Why is replacement cost coverage more expensive than actual cash value?       Will I have trouble getting homeowners insurance if my dog has bitten someone in the past?       Will my condo association's master policy cover my property?     Life insurance       Are withdrawals from a cash value life insurance policy ever tax free?       Can an insurance company require me to submit to a medical exam before granting me a life insurance policy?       Can I change the beneficiary on my life insurance policy? If so, how do I do it?       Can I convert all or part of my term life insurance to permanent life insurance?       Can I ever have too much life insurance?       Can I use life insurance to help me save for retirement?       Do I need life insurance if I'm single?       How can an insurance company really tell if I smoke?       How can I reduce the cost of life insurance?       How do I decide if I should replace my existing life insurance policy with a new one?       How much life insurance do I need?       I have enough life insurance right now. But I might need more in the future if I decide to start a family. Will I be able to buy more later, even if I develop a medical condition?       If I leave my company, can I take my life insurance policy with me?       Is it less expensive to buy life insurance while I'm young?       Is it possible to name a charity as the beneficiary of my life insurance policy?       Is there any way I can use life insurance to help cover my expenses if I become terminally ill?       Should I buy life insurance on my child?       Should I buy term or cash value life insurance?       What are the pros and cons of buying life insurance through my employer rather than buying my own policy?       What happens if my life insurance company files for bankruptcy?       What is group life insurance?       What is term life insurance?       What is whole life insurance?       When I die, is my beneficiary required to take a lump-sum payment of my life insurance death benefit?       Why do I need life insurance?       Why does an insurance company require an insurable interest before I buy a life insurance policy?       Will I be taxed on the growth of the cash value of my life insurance? What if my policy pays dividends?       Will my beneficiaries have to pay taxes on the proceeds of my life insurance policy?     Long-term care insurance       Is there such a thing as nursing home insurance?       Should I buy long-term care insurance?       What is long-term care insurance?       What types of nursing care does long-term care insurance cover?   Retirement Planning   Articles     Health care issues       Coordinating long-term care insurance with government benefits       Health insurance in retirement       Medicare       Should you buy long-term care insurance?       Understanding long-term care insurance     Housing issues       Housing options for older individuals       Your home as a source of dollars in retirement     Saving for retirement       Annuities and retirement planning       Borrowing or withdrawing money from your 401(k) plan       Closing a retirement income gap       Deciding what to do with your 401(k) plan when you change jobs       Estimating your retirement income needs       Evaluating an early retirement offer       Retirement planning--the basics       Saving for retirement and a child's education at the same time       Taking advantage of employer-sponsored retirement plans       Understanding defined benefit plans       Understanding IRAs       What to do after you've been automatically enrolled in your company's retirement plan     Social Security       Social Security retirement benefits       Understanding Social Security   Decision Tools     401(k) plans       401(k) plans       Individual 401(k) Illustration     Health care issues       Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care       Medicare figures at-a-glance       Medicare, Medigap, and Medicaid     IRAs       Comparison of traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs       Roth IRA future value calculator       Traditional IRA future value calculator       Traditional IRA required minimum distribution illustrator     Retirement planning basics       Building an investment portfolio       How taxation can affect your retirement funds       Investing for retirement       Investor Profile and Asset Allocation Calculator       Net worth calculator       Personal cash flow worksheet       Saving for your retirement     Social Security       How earnings affect Social Security       Social Security figures at-a-glance       Sources of retirement income: filling the Social Security gap   FAQs     Employer-sponsored retirement plans       Can I roll a retirement plan distribution into an IRA?       Can I still have a traditional IRA if I contribute to my 401(k) plan at work?       How can I plan for retirement if my employer doesn't offer retirement benefits?       I teach at a school that has a 403(b) plan. Is this type of plan a good way to save for retirement?       My company has a profit-sharing plan. How do these plans work?       Should I contribute to my 401(k) plan at work?       Should I use my 401(k) to fund my child's college education?       What are my options if I inherit an IRA or employer-sponsored plan?       What does the term "qualified plan" mean?       What is vesting?     Evaluating an early retirement offer       Should I accept my employer's early retirement offer?     Health care issues       Can I deduct premiums paid for long-term care (LTC) insurance?       How can I pay for nursing home care?       How can I tell if a nursing home provides high-quality care?       How do I enroll in Medicare?       How does Medicare+Choice work?       Should I buy long-term care insurance?       What is long-term care insurance?       What is Medigap?     Housing issues       I'm retired now and own my home outright, but I need money to live on. How can I use my home to raise some money without selling it?     IRAs       Can I avoid the 10 percent penalty tax for early withdrawals from a traditional IRA?       Can I contribute to a Roth IRA?       Can I roll a retirement plan distribution into an IRA?       Can I set up a traditional IRA?       Can I shift my traditional funds to a Roth IRA?       Can I still have a traditional IRA if I contribute to my 401(k) plan at work?       Can I take money from my IRA without any penalty?       I need money--can I take funds from my IRA?       It's January, and I forgot to contribute to my IRA. Is it too late?       Should I invest in a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA?       Should I withdraw money from my IRA to pay for my child's college tuition?       What are my options if I inherit an IRA or employer-sponsored plan?       What are required minimum distributions and how are they calculated?       What are the rules for IRA contributions?       What's a premature IRA distribution, and what happens if I make one?     Saving for retirement       How aggressive should I be when I invest for retirement?       How can I plan for retirement if my employer doesn't offer retirement benefits?       How can we possibly save for retirement and our child's college education at the same time?       How late is too late to start saving for retirement?       How much money should I save for retirement?       How should I structure my retirement portfolio?       I think it's time to start planning for retirement. Where do I begin?       What are catch-up contributions?       What should I do if I determine that my income during retirement won't be enough to meet my retirement expenses?     Social Security       Are my Social Security benefits subject to income tax?       How can I get an estimate of my Social Security benefits?       I'm getting remarried. How will this affect my Social Security benefits?       Should I retire now at age 62 and collect Social Security benefits, or should I wait until age 65?       What happens if I start collecting Social Security after age 65?       When I retire, how much will I receive from Social Security?       Will my children receive money from Social Security when I die?   Special Situations   Articles     Career planning       Evaluating a job offer       Evaluating an early retirement offer       Health insurance and COBRA: sometimes you can take it with you       Receiving unemployment benefits     Caring for an aging parent       Caring for your aging parents       Do your parents need long-term care insurance?       Facing the possibility of incapacity       Housing options for older individuals       Medicaid and nursing home care       Medicaid and the principal residence       Medicaid planning basics       The sandwich generation: juggling family responsibilities.     Divorce       Dealing with divorce       Health insurance and divorce       Insurance concerns of divorcing couples     Loss of a spouse       Claiming life insurance benefits       Organizing your finances when your spouse has died       Social Security survivor's benefits     Marriage       Establishing a budget       Getting started: establishing a financial safety net       Merging your money when you marry     Raising a family       How much life insurance do you need?       Planning a family? Get to know your health insurance policy       Saving for retirement and a child's education at the same time       Teaching your college-age child about money       Teaching your teen about money       The best ways to save for college       When your child has special needs     Sudden wealth       Sudden wealth     Terminal illness       Life insurance and terminal illness   Decision Tools     Caring for an aging parent       Housing options for aging parents       Tips for caregivers     Financial basics       College funding options analyzer       Credit cards--advantages vs. disadvantages       Mortgage payment calculator       Net worth calculator       Personal cash flow worksheet       Saving for your retirement     Remarriage       Planning for marriage to someone with children       Providing for children from a previous marriage       Remarriage and prenuptial agreements       Remarriage with children: income tax considerations       Remarriage: sharing assets and debts   FAQs     Career planning       I'll be changing jobs next month, and I'm pregnant. Will I qualify for health insurance coverage with my new employer?       I'm getting laid off. How am I going to survive financially until I find another job?       I'm looking for a job. How can I tell if an employer is offering a good insurance benefit package?       If I leave my job, will I lose my employer-sponsored health insurance?     Caring for an aging parent       How do I talk to my elderly parents about their finances?       I'm planning to add an in-law apartment to my home. How will this affect my homeowners insurance?       I'm thinking about placing my mother in a nursing home. Will Medicaid pay for her care?       My parents can't manage alone anymore. What should I do?     Consumer protection       How can I protect myself against identity theft?     Divorce       Are alimony payments considered taxable income?       How do I protect my assets in the event of a divorce?       What are the tax implications of child support payments?     Loss of a spouse       How can I find out whether my deceased husband owned any life insurance?       My spouse just died. Who do I need to notify?       My spouse passed away this year. When I file my taxes, what filing status should I claim?     Marriage       Am I liable for my spouse's debts?       I'm marrying someone with bad credit. How will this affect me?       Should I open a joint checking account with my spouse?       Should my spouse and I integrate our health insurance benefits?     Planning for travel       Do I have to pay U.S. taxes when I work abroad?       Should I buy travel insurance?     Raising a family       Can I take the tax credit for child care?       What is the difference between the child tax credit and the child and dependent care tax credit?     Remarriage       Should I sign a prenuptial agreement to protect my assets when I remarry?     Sudden wealth       What's the best way to handle a financial windfall?       When I play the lottery, I have to choose between a lump sum and annual payments. Does it matter?     Terminal illness       Is there any way I can use life insurance to help cover my expenses if I become terminally ill?   Tax Planning   Articles     General tax planning       Am I having enough withheld?       Help! I can't pay my tax bill       Income tax planning and 529 plans       Surviving an audit       Tax benefits of home ownership       Tax planning for income       Tax planning for the self-employed       Taxation of investments       Year-end tax planning     Tax credits and deductions       Education tax credits       Personal deduction planning       Understanding personal tax credits     Taxes and insurance       Tax planning for annuities       Tax planning tips: disability insurance       Tax tips: health insurance       Tax tips: long-term care insurance   Decision Tools     General tax planning       Accelerating deductions/postponing Income       Accelerating income/postponing deductions       Federal individual income tax fundamentals       Remarriage with children: income tax considerations     Tax credits and deductions       Comparison of education tax credits and deductions       Is my home mortgage interest fully deductible?       Tax credit sampler   FAQs     General tax planning       Am I having enough tax withheld from my paycheck?       Are my Social Security benefits subject to income tax?       Are scholarships and grants subject to federal income tax?       Do I have to file a federal income tax return?       Do I have to pay U.S. taxes when I work abroad?       I don't have the cash to pay my taxes. What can I do?       I have investment property. What does basis mean, and how do I determine the basis of my property?       My spouse passed away this year. When I file my taxes, what filing status should I claim?       What is my tax bracket?       What is the alternative minimum tax?       What is the basis of property received as a gift?       What is the kiddie tax?       What penalties and interest will I be charged for paying and filing my federal income taxes late?       What's the difference between an "injured spouse" and an "innocent spouse"?       Will I have to pay tax on my investment income?     Tax credits       Can I take the credit for the elderly or disabled?       Can I take the tax credit for child care?       Now that my child is in college, am I entitled to any education tax credits?       What are the Hope credit and the Lifetime Learning credit?       What is the child tax credit?       What is the difference between the child tax credit and the child and dependent care tax credit?       What is the earned income credit and who qualifies for it?     Tax deductions       Can I deduct home office expenses?       Can I deduct premiums paid for long-term care (LTC) insurance?       Can I deduct the cost of improvements or repairs I've made to my home?       How do I deduct and substantiate my gambling losses?       I paid my mother's real estate taxes last year. Can I deduct this on my tax return?       I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?       If I prepay next year's taxes this year, can I deduct them this year?       If I work at home occasionally, am I entitled to a home office deduction?       Is student loan interest deductible?       My spouse and I are filing separate returns. Can we both itemize our deductions? If so, how do we split the deductions?       My town has assessed against me a real estate betterment for new sewer lines installed in my street. May I deduct this amount on my tax return?       We just bought our first home. What can we deduct from the settlement statement?     Taxes and child support/alimony       Are alimony payments considered taxable income?       What are the tax implications of child support payments?     Taxes and home ownership       Can I deduct the cost of improvements or repairs I've made to my home?       How do I figure the tax on the sale of my home?       I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?       I rent my home out for two weeks each year. Do I have to show this rental income on my federal income tax return?       We just bought our first home. What can we deduct from the settlement statement?     Taxes and insurance proceeds       Are life insurance proceeds income taxable?       I receive disability insurance payments. Are they taxable?