Rebecca McClay

Major changes in tax policy last year—the biggest reform in 30 years—have given investors a lot to consider in their financial planning.
Perhaps the most direct impact has been the decline in tax rates for most tax brackets, including a move down to 24% from 28% for the middle bracket and down to 37% from 39.6% for the top bracket. The lowest bracket remains at 10% for those with less than $9,525 in annual income.
Let’s look at some of the more significant changes to the tax policy, as well a...

Planning ahead for your retirement years can provide additional confidence and financial security. And with increased life expectancy, a retirement budget can take into account your future income and spending over a longer period of time.
There are no clear rules about how much you might spend in retirement, because everyone is different. But one of the first things you might want to consider doing is getting a handle on the line items in your retirement budget and determining your retirement...

Investors can bank on near-certainties in the investing world: markets go up and markets go down. It may sound simple, but this highlights the conflict of timing your investments now versus pursing a long-term investment goal.
In your retirement planning, you can take several steps to help your portfolio handle the market’s ups and downs while still pursuing your financial goals. It’s possible that a lengthy downturn could hit at an inopportune time during retirement, and you may want to be p...

For many retirees, Social Security benefits are a crucial component of their retirement income strategy. However, many Americans are surprised to learn that some of that income can be taxed. If you’re currently receiving Social Security or planning to do so soon, make sure you’re aware of how this benefit will be taxed.
When Social Security Benefits are Taxed
Generally, your Social Security is taxed when your income is more than $25,000 per year, including income from investments held in reti...

Freelancing offers some real advantages, including the ability to work in various locations and a more flexible schedule. But it also comes with more responsibilities for managing your finances. As your own boss, you’re in charge of making sure you get an appropriate income as well as establishing a way to save for retirement.
According to a new survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of TD Ameritrade, six out of 10 Americans said freelancing is the modern version of the American dream....

Market volatility can alarm those who want to protect their assets from the sharp declines that may occur during turbulent times.
Investors react to volatile markets in a variety of ways. Some people choose more cautious investing strategies, while others become more aggressive. Some consult a financial advisor, while others take no action.
Investors also prepare for market volatility in many different ways, from exiting the markets completely to investing in perceived “safe haven” assets suc...

Market volatility, volume, and system availability may delay account access and trade executions.
Past performance of a security or strategy does not guarantee future results or success.
Options are not suitable for all investors as the special risks inherent to options trading may expose investors to potentially rapid and substantial losses. Options trading subject to TD Ameritrade review and approval. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before investing in options....

Retiring investors often look to assets like 401(k) and IRA accounts to provide a reliable, livable income. What’s often not in this financial picture? That old bastion of stability, the pension plan.
That’s because pensions have become increasingly rare. Decades ago, retirement such plans were a common benefit offered by employers who were vying for top talent. Employees who received pensions could plan for a guaranteed regular livable income (what’s known as a “defined benefit”) during thei...

If your investments pay dividends, you may be wondering whether you should take them as cash or reinvest them, which will give you more shares over time.
The answer depends in part on your investment goals. Some investors use dividends as a source of income to cover everyday expenses, while others focus on increasing their savings. For those who are focused on longer-term growth, dividend reinvestment can be a savvy way to multiply your gains, says Robert Siuty, senior financial consultant at...

Visualization can play an important role in accomplishing goals. Many athletes swear by this motivational technique as they imagine themselves in action and winning games. For investors, visualization can also play an important part in pursuing financial goals.
You can imagine yourself in retirement, owning a large home, paying for your child’s college or taking a trip. It’s easy to visualize the end result of your goals. However, it can be more difficult to imagine a big picture view of how ...

Many investors turn to market benchmarks to help measure how their assets are doing. Benchmarks provide a standard to gauge the return of either individual securities or an investor’s total portfolio. Investors typically use broader stock indices such as the S&P 500 (SPX), the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DJI), or the Nasdaq Composite (COMP), but you can measure your portfolio’s performance against a whole range of benchmarks.
Benchmarks are valuable tools to gauge how your portfolio is per...

NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- A slate of larger hotel brands set to report earnings in the next two weeks amid a generally positive outlook on the hotel industry are ripe to send their stocks surging, if the first few hotel company earnings this season are any indication.

The U.S. home-improvement industry is poised for a revival this year as property owners who scrimped and saved during the recession spruce up kitchens and bathrooms.
Spending on remodeling probably wi...

The media industry is going through all sorts of convulsions, with Viacom's (VIAB) reorganization as example No. 1. And this has prompted predictions that the sector is ripe for mergers and acquisitions.

NEW YORK (The Street) -- Dish Networks (DISH) has become something of a test case for big media companies eager to make their content more available over the Internet as opposed to via a cable-TV wire.