January 01, 2006

The changing face of retirement. What does that mean? Well, given the human propensity for individuality, it could mean 76 million different things over the next 25 years. Retirement is changing because boomers are like this, or because boomers are

January 01, 2006

A successful initial meeting with a prospect is wasted if you fail in the next important step: following up. What are the best ways to follow up? That depends on who you ask. So we decided to ask many of you how you do it. What are your best ways...

January 01, 2006

Self-professed gear head Russell A. Smith began his career as a life insurance agent for a large Midwestern insurance company. He spent his days knocking on doors and his nights serving up hearty helpings of Budweiser and Corona. "That only lasted

January 01, 2006

In the days before the current Bush Administration enacted its controversial plan to phase out and ultimately repeal the federal estate tax, it was a foregone conclusion for advisors working with high-net-worth clients to suggest some form of

January 01, 2006

So, your financial planning practice is up and running. In fact, maybe it has been humming along for several years now, and you've done a fine job for your clients. But you're finding it harder and harder to stay on top of every latest development.

January 01, 2006

The question of whether equity-indexed annuities should be classified as a fixed or variable product was headed for resolution last summer. The NASD in August announced it would issue guidance on the controversial issue, and members anxiously

January 01, 2006

In a world of prospects, it's difficult to know where to start when developing leads. New Jersey-based estate planning attorney Gary Garland says, "Keeping business flowing is the Holy Grail of the estate planner." So how do advisors and