Earlier this month, Congress passed a bill meant to lower the cost of college tuition while simultaneously providing greater access to college. This bill, which is awaiting President Bush’s signature, would slash interest rates on student...
The subject of workplace water-cooler conversations could become increasingly financial in nature. That’s because, when it comes to retirement planning, employees with 401(k)s and other defined contribution plans want more financial planning...
It wasn't tainted research. It wasn't late trading. It wasn't even good for a lot of headlines. But it was another ugly moment for investment advisors when, in mid-2004, politicians and regulators began looking into 529 college savings plan sales...
For the little commissions they generate, 529 plans have required quite a lot of effort on the part of financial advisors. When the business got started nearly a decade ago, states contracted with money managers to administer the tax-free...
Investments in 529 plans are not as popular as they could be and that's saying something because they are pretty popular right now. They are, in fact, the fastest growing product in financial planning, with the only real rival in terms of...
When qualified college savings accounts burst on the scene in the late 1990s, the initial growth exceeded most expectations. Assets in state-sponsored plans continue to soar rising 49 percent last year, according to the Financial Research Corp. At...
To virtually no one's surprise, regulators have begun scrutinizing how 529 plans are peddled. In December, the SEC and NASD sent a letter of inquiry to Edward Jones and American Funds, requesting information on how those firms sell the college...