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Financial Advisors

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How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?

Most financial advisors charge based on how much money they manage for you, but the industry average is around 1% of your asset balance per year.

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Arielle O'Shea

7 Tips for Boosting Retirement Savings in Your 50s

Take advantage of diversification and catch-up contributions to retirement and Roth accounts once you turn 50.

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Dayana Yochim

Use Form ADV to Check a Financial Advisor’s Record

This free disclosure document reveals information about an advisor’s fee structure and firm history to their management style and any misconduct.

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Dayana Yochim

‘Advice-Only’ Financial Advisors: What They Do, How to Find One

"Advice-only" financial planners help people who aren’t wealthy or who don’t need someone else to manage their investments. Here are four organizations that can help you find advice-only financial planners.

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Liz Weston, CFP®, Taryn Phaneuf

Roth 401(k) vs. Roth IRA: Key Differences

Both accounts offer similar tax advantages, but there are key differences, especially when it comes to withdrawals before retirement.

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June Sham, Andrea Coombes

Worried about an overcontributed to a 401(k) in 2026? How to Handle Excess Contributions

To avoid being taxed twice, notify your plan administrator and have excess contributions removed before tax day.

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Kevin Voigt

Fee-Only vs. Fee-Based Financial Planner: Differences, Pros and Cons

Fee-only financial planners are paid by clients. Fee-based financial planners also get sales commissions.

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Kevin Voigt, Taryn Phaneuf

Should You Max Out Your 401(k)? What to Consider

Maxing out a 401(k) plan could help you reach your retirement goals, but here are four things to consider first.

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June Sham, Alieza Durana

What is a 401(k)?

A 401(k) plan is a tax-advantaged retirement account employers offer to help their employees save for retirement.

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June Sham

401(k) Contribution Limits for 2026

The IRS updates the 401(k) contribution limits each year — see the max you can add to your account in 2026.

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Arielle O'Shea, June Sham

How Much Should I Contribute to a 401(k) in 2026?

The amount you should contribute to a 401(k) depends on your savings plan and whether your employer matches contributions.

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Arielle O'Shea

Capital Gains Tax: Long and Short-Term Rates for 2025-2026

Capital gains are the profits from the sale of assets. They can be subject to short-term or long-term tax rates.

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Sabrina Parys, Tina Orem

Rules for Inherited IRAs

If you've inherited an IRA, withdrawal rules and taxes depend on your relationship and whether the account is a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA.

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Dayana Yochim, June Sham

When (and How) to Switch Financial Advisors

High fees, strained communication and stagnant advice are among the reasons to look for a new advisor. Here's how to switch advisors if you need to.

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Kevin Voigt

Robo-Advisors vs. Financial Advisors: How to Choose

The choice depends on what you need.

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Kevin Voigt

How to Choose a Financial Advisor in 5 Steps

Vetting advisors takes time, but it’s worth it if you avoid paying for services you don’t need or wasting time with an advisor who isn’t a good fit.

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Taryn Phaneuf

Tax-Deductible Donations: 2025-2026 Rules for Giving to Charity

Here's more on what kind of donations are tax-deductible, and how to claim a deduction for charitable contributions.

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Tina Orem

Best-Performing REITs for July 2026 and How to Invest

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) let you invest in real estate without buying and managing properties yourself.

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Kevin Voigt

Gift Tax: How It Works, 2025 and 2026 Exclusions and Limits

Gift tax is a federal tax on money or property you give to another person. Because of annual and lifetime limits, few people owe it.

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Tina Orem, Sabrina Parys

How Are Dividends Taxed? 2025-2026 Qualified and Nonqualified Dividend Tax Rates

How and when you own an investment that pays dividends can dramatically change the tax rate you pay.

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Tina Orem