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Articles

Retirement Rollovers Pose Many Choices

Mary Baldwin 2/11/14 - Florida Today

Question: Should I roll my 401(k) into a Rollover IRA?

Learn From Last Year, and Resolve to Organize Finances in 2014

Mary Baldwin 1/13/14 - Florida Today

Question: My New Year's goal is to organize my finances. Where do I start?

Look at Tax Liabilities Before Spending All of Your Holiday Money

Mary Baldwin 12/16/13 - Florida Today

Question: Have there been any tax law changes recently, and what can I do to save taxes before year-end?

Beware of the Rules Regulating Financial Gift Giving

Mary Baldwin 11/11/13 - Florida Today

Question: I'm doing some life planning and I have enough money to take care of myself. It's time to give some away; are there rules about gifting?

Research Important When it Comes to Life Insurance

Mary Baldwin 10/14/13 - Florida Today

Question: How do I know if I need life insurance and how much I should buy?

Mortgage Debt can be 'Good Debt' Sometimes

Mary Baldwin 9/16/13 - Florida Today

Question: I am planning to retire in two years when I'm 62. I have a small mortgage at 5% interest and plan to keep my house at least another 10 years. Should I sell investments to pay off the mortgage now? This would use most of my non-retirement account.

Don't Put Your Stock Dividends All in One Basket

Mary Baldwin 8/19/13 - Florida Today

Question: I'm going to retire and I've accumulated individual stocks that pay dividends. One stock is 40% of my portfolio and I assume that the dividends, plus my Social Security, will generate enough income that I won't have to sell any stocks. Do you think this is a viable strategy?

Tax-Free Growth Comes with 529 Savings

Mary Baldwin 7/22/13 - Florida Today

Question: Due to the uncertainty of student loan rates, I'm considering converting my 5-year-old son's UTMA account to a 529 college savings plan. Is this a good idea?

Nothing Wrong with Bonds in a Portfolio

Mary Baldwin 6/17/13 - Florida Today

Question: I've been diligently saving for retirement and was disappointed when I got my May statement. I'm invested half in stocks and half in bonds and I didn't make much money last month. What am I doing wrong?

Investment Income Medicare Tax Tricky

Mary Baldwin 5/20/13 - Florida Today

Question: I'm confused about the new Medicare tax. Does it only apply to income from investments?

Single Owner-Employee Seeks Savings Tips

Mary Baldwin 4/22/13 - Florida Today

Question: I'm 53, single, self-employed and don't have any employees. My income fluctuates. I'd like to save as much as I can for retirement. What do you suggest?

Owner of 401(k) Should Review Goals

Mary Baldwin 3/25/13 - Florida Today

Question: I need to do something with my 401(k). What are my options and what do you recommend?

Investors Will be Impacted by Pair of Tax Changes

Mary Baldwin 2/18/13 - Florida Today

Question: What recent tax changes impact investors this year?

New Widow Overwhelmed by Financial Decisions

Mary Baldwin 1/21/13 - Florida Today

Question: I recently lost my husband and I feel completely lost with all of the money decision. Where can I go for help?

Tax Changes May Hit Investments

Mary Baldwin 12/17/12 - Florida Today

Question: What changes should I make to my investments before year-end when the tax laws are likely to change?

Plan Now for Next Year's Tax Strategy

Mary Baldwin 3/11/14 - Florida Today

Question: I just filed my 2013 tax return. What’s the best way to plan for this year’s taxes?

Target-date Funds OK, but Keep Your Eyes Open

Mary Baldwin 4/8/14 - Florida Today

Question: I started a new job with a 401(k) retirement plan. I was advised to select a target-date fund for my initial investments. Are there better options?

Goals Should Direct Your Annuity Plans

Mary Baldwin 5/6/14 - Florida Today

Question: I have a variable annuity that I bought 10 years ago. My accountant wants me to cash it out but my new adviser suggested exchanging it for another annuity. What should I do?

Learn Benefits and Drawbacks of Real Estate Investment Trusts and Varieties

Mary Baldwin 6/3/14 - Florida Today

Question: I have read about REITs, and they sound complicated. What do I need to know before I invest?

Retirement Plans Need a Disaster Contingency

Mary Baldwin 7/1/14 - Florida Today

Question: I'm scheduled to retire in two years. I'm nervous, even though I've done the math and the projections show that I'm on track. What potential catastrophic events could derail my plan?

Affordable Care Act Subsidies Might Be Option for Retirees

Mary Baldwin 7/29/14 - Florida Today

Question: I retired at 60 this year and have savings in my retirement acount plus after-tax investments. I have very little income and think that I will qualify for health care subsidies. My tax rate is low. Where should I start?

Alt Investments Often Seen as Hedge Against Stock Market

Mary Baldwin 8/26/14 - Florida Today

Question: What are 'alternative' investments?

Your Affordable Care Act Primer and What it Means for Taxes

Mary Baldwin 11/25/14 - Florida Today

Question: Health insurance is so confusing. I'm trying to help my parents who are going to be eligible for Medicare and I also have a group plan with new options. Can you help?