Business Owner   Articles     Benefits and retirement plans       Group health insurance: a valued employee benefit       Retirement plans for small businesses     Insuring a business       Business automobile insurance basics       Business interruption insurance       Business liability insurance basics       Business overhead expense insurance       Commercial general liability       Do you need crime insurance?       Income tax tips: business insurance       Insurance tips for business travelers       Insuring your home business       Professional liability coverage       Properly insuring your business       Should you self-insure your business?       Understanding your business owners policy       Why insure your business?     Transferring or selling a business       Funding a buy-sell agreement with disability insurance       Funding a buy-sell agreement with life insurance       Transferring your family business   Decision Tools     Business planning basics       Net worth calculator     Insurance planning       Business life insurance needs       Number of policies needed with a cross purchase plan     Transferring or selling a business       Business succession planning alternatives       Business succession strategy analyzer       Buy-sell agreement analyzer       Buy-sell planning questionnaire       How cross purchase plans work       How entity purchase plans work       Planning for succession of a business interest   FAQs     Advertising a business       How can I get free publicity for my business?       How do I know where to advertise my business?       What is the best form of advertising?     Insurance coverage       A cell phone and laptop computer owned by my company were inside my briefcase when it was stolen. Will my company's insurance cover the loss?       Can I get disability insurance if I'm self-employed?       I drive my own car on company business. Whose insurance will pay for damages if I get into an accident?       I own a business. Are there any creative ways I can use life insurance in my business?       I use my laptop computer for my home business. Is it covered under my homeowners policy?       I'm an independent contractor. Where can I get health and disability insurance?       I'm thinking about opening a day-care business in my home. Does this raise any insurance issues?       What is errors and omissions insurance?       What is stop-loss insurance?       What kind of insurance coverage do I need for my small business?     Noncompetition agreements       I am buying a business. Can I make the seller sign a noncompetition agreement?       My employer wants me to sign a noncompetition agreement. What is it? Is it legally binding?       Why does the buyer of my business want me to sign a noncompetition agreement?     Partnerships       How does a limited partnership work?     Raising capital       Can I borrow money from my wholly owned business?       How can I raise capital for my business?     Valuing a business       How can I determine what my business is worth for estate and gift tax purposes?   Education Planning   Articles     Education planning basics       ABCs of financial aid       Can I afford to send my child to college?       Education tax credits       Finding money to pay college bills out of pocket       Going back to school as an adult       Health insurance for college students       Helping your child make the transition from high school to college       How student loans impact your credit       Research tips when choosing a college       Saving for retirement and a child's education at the same time       Sticker shock--creative ways to lower the cost of college       Student loan basics       The best ways to save for college       The college application process   Decision Tools     Determining how much to save for college       College savings analyzer       Finding the funds to pay for a college education       Higher education figures at-a-glance     Evaluating college savings options       Advantages and disadvantages of 529 plans       Advantages and disadvantages of Coverdell education savings accounts       Advantages and disadvantages of custodial accounts for college savings       Advantages and disadvantages of U.S. savings bonds for college savings       College funding options analyzer       College savings vehicles compared     Tax issues       Comparison of education tax credits and deductions       Qualified education expenses defined       Summary of tax-advantaged college savings options   FAQs     529 plan basics       Do 529 plans include both state savings plans and prepaid tuition plans?       How long have 529 plans been around?       How many states currently have 529 plans?       What can you tell me about employer-sponsored 529 plans?       What is the Independent 529 Plan?       What's the difference between state savings plans and prepaid tuition plans?       Who can legally offer 529 plans?       Why are these plans referred to as "529" plans?     529 plans: Making contributions       Can contributions to a 529 plan be directly debited from my checking account?       Can I contribute my own stocks and bonds to the 529 account I've set up for my child?       Can I make contributions to a 529 account and a Coverdell education savings account in the same year for the same beneficiary?       Can I transfer my child's UGMA/UTMA custodial account to a 529 plan?       How much can I invest in a 529 plan?       How often can I make contributions to my child's 529 account?       I'm putting money into a 529 plan for my grandchild. But are the 529 assets subject to Medicaid spend-down requirements?       Should I invest a lump sum, or is there a way to use dollar cost averaging when investing in a state savings plan?     529 plans: Tax issues       Can I deduct my contributions to my 529 account?       Can I use 529 funds to pay my child's college expenses in the same year I take either the Hope credit or the Lifetime Learning credit?       How does the annual gift tax exclusion apply to contributions to a 529 plan?       I intend to make tuition payments directly to my grandchild's college, and I know this will reduce my estate. But would it be better to contribute to a 529 plan instead?       I know that qualified withdrawals from state savings plans are now exempt from federal income tax. But what about state taxes?       I opened a 529 plan and my child is the beneficiary. If my mother makes a contribution to the plan, is that considered a gift to me or to my child?       I opened a state savings plan sponsored by a different state than my own. Will I get that state's tax benefits?       I'd like to make a lump-sum contribution to my grandchild's 529 account. Will I owe gift tax?       If I cash in Series EE U.S. savings bonds I purchased 10 years ago and contribute the proceeds to a 529 plan, can I still avoid paying tax on the proceeds?       The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 contains sunset provisions. Should I be worried about this?       Will I be penalized if the money in my 529 plan isn't used for college expenses?       Will I pay income tax when the money in my 529 plan is withdrawn to pay for college expenses?       Will the value of my 529 account be included in my estate or my beneficiary's estate?     College students and insurance       My child is heading off to college this fall. What insurance issues does this raise?     Education tax credits       Now that my child is in college, am I entitled to any education tax credits?       What are the Hope credit and the Lifetime Learning credit?     Saving for college       Are government savings bonds risk free?       Are savings bonds a good way to save?       Are state savings plans a good way to save for college?       Can an UGMA/UTMA account reduce my child's financial aid for college?       Do series EE bonds offer any special advantages if used for college savings?       Help! My child is only two years away from college and we haven't saved much. What should we do?       How can I save for my child's college education?       How can we possibly save for retirement and our child's college education at the same time?       Should I establish a trust for my child's college education fund?       Should I open a Coverdell education savings account?       Should I save for college in my name or my child's name?       What are the rules for Coverdell education savings accounts?       What is the CollegeSure CD?     Student loans       Are my student loan payments tax deductible?       Can I refinance my student loan?       How will I ever pay off my student loans?       I'm having trouble paying my student loans. What should I do?       Is student loan interest deductible?       Should I pay off my student loans early with a home equity loan?     Using or withdrawing 529 funds       Can 529 funds be used for general living expenses while at college?       Can the funds in a 529 plan be used for college expenses if my child is only attending part-time?       How do I prove that a distribution request is for my child's college expenses and not for some other purpose?       Must the funds in a 529 plan be used for tuition only, or can they be used for room and board expenses?       My child got a full scholarship to college--now what?       My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can he use the 529 funds at a foreign school?       My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can he use the 529 funds for graduate school?       My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can he use the 529 funds for vocational school?       My child is the beneficiary of a 529 plan. Can we use the 529 funds for her private elementary or secondary school?       My child will be going to college next year and using 529 funds to pay expenses--what do I need to do?       What happens if I need to use the funds in a 529 plan before my child goes to college?       What happens if I open a 529 account for my child, and she later becomes disabled and doesn't go to college?       What happens if my child finishes college and there is money left over in the 529 account?       What happens to my 529 plan if my child wants to postpone going to college for a year or two after high school?       What happens to the funds in my 529 account if my child doesn't go to college?   Estate Planning   Articles     Assets       Asset protection in estate planning       Estate planning and 529 plans       Transferring your family business     Estate planning basics       Estate planning--an introduction       Facing the possibility of incapacity       Gift and estate taxes       Trust basics       Wills--the cornerstone of your estate plan     Medicaid planning       Medicaid and nursing home care       Medicaid and the principal residence       Medicaid planning basics     Probate       Bypassing probate       Understanding probate   Decision Tools     Business planning       Business life insurance needs       Business succession planning alternatives       Choosing a business entity       How cross purchase plans work       How entity purchase plans work       Number of policies needed with a cross purchase plan       Planning for succession of a business interest     Estate planning basics       529 Plan Federal estate tax calculator       529 Plan Federal estate tax calculator - (Consumer Version)       Common incapacity documents       Estate shrinkage       Federal estate tax estimator       Federal transfer tax exemption amounts under the Tax Act of 2001       Steps to estate planning success       Table of federal estate tax brackets and exemption limits     Probate       The probate process: 3 to 9 months after death       The probate process: 9 to 12 months after death       The probate process: initial tasks       Types of post-mortem elections     Trusts       Advantages of trusts       How a grantor retained income trust (GRIT) works       How an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) works       How an irrevocable trust protects assets   FAQs     Estate and gift tax       How can I determine what my business is worth for estate and gift tax purposes?       How can I minimize taxes on my estate?       How will estate taxes be paid if I leave no provision in my will?       I intend to make tuition payments directly to my grandchild's college, and I know this will reduce my estate. But would it be better to contribute to a 529 plan instead?       I just made a gift. Do I have to file a gift tax return?       If I am the account owner when I die, will the value of my 529 account be included in my estate?       The death benefit from insurance on my life will be paid to an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT). What if those funds are needed to pay my estate taxes?       What is a family limited partnership, and will it help reduce estate taxes?       What is the applicable exclusion amount?       Will the value of my 529 account be included in my estate or my beneficiary's estate?     Estate planning basics       How often do I need to review my estate plan?       Isn't estate planning only for the rich?       What makes up my taxable estate?     Probate       Does property owned jointly avoid probate?       What is probate and why do I want to avoid it?     Trusts       Can an UGMA/UTMA account reduce my child's financial aid for college?       Should I establish a trust for my child's college education fund?       What is a Crummey power?       What is a life insurance trust and why should I consider establishing one?       What is a living trust?   Government Benefits   Articles     Medicare and Medicaid       Coordinating long-term care insurance with government benefits       Health insurance in retirement       Medicaid and nursing home care       Medicaid and the principal residence       Medicaid planning basics       Medicare     Social Security       Social Security disability benefits       Social Security retirement benefits       Social Security survivor's benefits       Understanding Social Security   Decision Tools     Medicare and Medicaid       Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care       Medicare figures at-a-glance       Medicare, Medigap, and Medicaid     Social Security       Disability income needs worksheet       How earnings affect Social Security       Social Security disability insurance (SSDI): awards and applications illustrator       Social Security figures at-a-glance       Sources of retirement income: filling the Social Security gap       What are your chances of becoming disabled?   FAQs     Medicare and Medicaid       How do I enroll in Medicare?       How does Medicare Advantage work?       I'm putting money into a 529 plan for my grandchild. But are the 529 assets subject to Medicaid spend-down requirements?       I'm thinking about placing my mother in a nursing home. Will Medicaid pay for her care?       If I'm covered by Medicare, should I have additional health insurance?     Social Security       Are my Social Security benefits subject to income tax?       Does my 16-year-old have to pay Social Security tax on her earnings?       How can I get an estimate of my Social Security benefits?       How do I get disability benefits from Social Security?       I'm getting remarried. How will this affect my Social Security benefits?       My husband and I are divorcing after 30 years of marriage. Will I still be able to receive Social Security retirement benefits based on his earnings record after our divorce?       Should I retire now at age 62 and collect Social Security benefits, or should I wait until age 65?       What happens if I start collecting Social Security after age 65?       What is SSI?       When do I have to apply for a Social Security number for my newborn?       When I retire, how much will I receive from Social Security?       Will my children receive money from Social Security when I die?   Investment Planning   Articles     Choosing investment vehicles       Annuity basics       Creating an investment portfolio       Investing in bonds       Investing in stocks       Mutual fund basics       Other investments       The best ways to save for college       Understanding mutual fund share classes     Investment basics       Handling market volatility       Investment planning--the basics       Six keys to successful investing       Taxation of investments       Understanding investment terms and concepts       Understanding risk   Decision Tools     Investment planning basics       Common investment mistakes to avoid       Consumer price index inflation calculator       Growth of annual deposits calculator       Simple rules for investing       Steps to financial planning success       What is your risk tolerance?     Taxes       Capital gains and dividends tax relief       Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003: Highlights   FAQs     Investing basics       How can I gauge my risk tolerance?       Is there any type of insurance that can protect against losses from investments?       Should I invest my extra cash or use it to pay off debt?       What is asset allocation and how does it work?       What is dollar cost averaging and how do I know if it's right for me?       What's the difference between growth investing and value investing?     Mutual funds       How does a 529 plan compare with investing in a mutual fund in my name?       Is it better to invest in a tax-free or a taxable mutual fund?       Should I invest in mutual funds or individual securities?       What is a mutual fund prospectus and how do I read it?       What is the difference between an open-end and a closed-end mutual fund?     Taxes       How did the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 change capital gains tax rates?       I have investment property. What does basis mean, and how do I determine the basis of my property?       Will I have to pay tax on my investment income?   Personal Finance   Articles     Buying a car       ABCs of auto insurance       Buying a car       GAP insurance       How safe is that new car?     Financial basics       Establishing a budget       Getting started: establishing a financial safety net       Working with a financial advisor   Decision Tools     Owning a car       Auto insurance analyzer       Auto loan payment calculator       How to save money on your auto insurance       Should you buy or lease your car?   FAQs     Bankruptcy       Can I buy a house even though I declared bankruptcy?       I can't pay my bills. Should I declare bankruptcy?       What's the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy?     Buying, selling, or leasing a car       How much will my monthly car payment be?       Is there any way to get out of a car lease?       Should I buy or lease a car?       Should I pay cash for a car or finance it?     Credit cards       How can I lower the interest rate on my credit card?       How can I pay off my credit card debt?       I get a lot of credit card offers. How can I tell which one is best?       I've finally paid off my credit cards. Should I close the accounts or leave them open with zero balances?     Refinancing a mortgage       Do I need to let my homeowners insurance company know that I'm refinancing a mortgage?       I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?       Should I refinance my home mortgage?     Selling a home       How do I figure the tax on the sale of my home?       I'm having a hard time selling my home. Should I take out a reverse mortgage?       I'm retired now and own my home outright, but I need money to live on. How can I use my home to raise some money without selling it?       Should I sell or rent out my present home?     Spousal credit issues       Am I liable for my spouse's debts?       I'm marrying someone with bad credit. How will this affect me?       Should I open a joint checking account with my spouse?       What's the difference between an "injured spouse" and an "innocent spouse"?   Protection Planning   Articles     Automobile insurance       ABCs of auto insurance       Auto accident checklist       Auto insurance for 20-somethings       Auto insurance for the hard-to-insure       Baby on board: keeping your child safe in the car       Buying a new car? Asking these questions might save you money on your auto insurance       Comparing auto insurance policies       Dealing with the damage: the auto repair process       Deer and moose are deadly road hazards       Driving defensively at any age       Filing an auto insurance claim       Five ways to fight auto insurance fraud       GAP insurance       How automobile insurance premiums are determined       How much auto insurance coverage do you need?       How safe is that new car?       Insuring a teenage driver       Insuring your boat       Insuring your personal watercraft       Insuring your snowmobile and ATV       Is your teen ready to drive?       Lawsuits: what every driver needs to know       Liability coverage under your personal auto insurance policy       Medical payments coverage       Motorcycle insurance       No-fault insurance       Policy options       Preventing car theft       Rental car insurance       Shopping for auto insurance       State-by-state minimum coverage requirements       Tax planning tips: auto insurance       Understanding your personal automobile policy       Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage       Who's covered under your auto insurance policy?       Will your auto insurance premiums go up after an auto accident?     Disability insurance       Beyond the basics: disability income insurance riders       Comparing disability income insurance policies       Disability income insurance: typical policy features       Do you need disability income insurance?       Government-sponsored disability insurance programs       Group disability insurance       How disability income insurance policies define disability       How much disability income insurance should you have?       Long-term vs. short-term disability income insurance       Lowering the cost of disability insurance       Noncancelable and guaranteed renewable policies       Surviving the underwriting process for disability income insurance       Tax planning tips: disability insurance       The fundamentals of disability insurance       Understanding waiting periods       Where to get disability coverage     Health insurance       Alternative therapies       Archer medical savings accounts       Buying short-term health insurance       Comparing health insurance plans       Coping with medical bills       Coping with rising prescription costs       Dental insurance       Getting health insurance when you're hard to insure       Group health insurance       Health insurance and COBRA: sometimes you can take it with you       Health insurance and divorce       Health insurance for college students       Health insurance for travelers       Health insurance in retirement       Health insurance made simple       HMOs and PPOs: what's the difference?       Individual health insurance       Limitations, exclusions, and riders       Lowering the cost of health care       Making the most of your group health benefits       Mental health benefits       Planning a family? Get to know your health insurance policy       POS plans       Prescription plans       Preventing sports injuries       Tax tips: health insurance       Trends in managed care       Understanding managed care       Understanding your health insurance policy       Vision care insurance       Where to get health insurance     Life insurance       Cash value life insurance       Claiming life insurance benefits       Comparing life insurance policies       Credit life insurance       Designating a beneficiary for life insurance       How does cash value in a life insurance policy really work?       How much life insurance do you need?       Life insurance and charitable giving       Life insurance and estate planning       Life insurance and terminal illness       Life insurance at various life stages       Life insurance basics       Life insurance for children       Life insurance: do you need it?       Life insurance: the application process       Making policy loans and withdrawals       Planning ahead for life insurance proceeds       Reading and understanding your life insurance policy       Shopping for life insurance       Surrendering your life insurance policy       Tax planning tips: life insurance       Term life insurance       Term vs. cash value life insurance       The ins and outs of policy ownership       Traditional whole life insurance       Types of life insurance policies       Understanding insurance company illustrations       Universal life insurance       Variable life insurance       Variable universal life insurance       Viatical settlements   Decision Tools     Automobile insurance       Auto insurance analyzer       How to save money on your auto insurance     Business insurance       Business life insurance needs       How cross purchase plans work       How entity purchase plans work       How insurance preserves assets       Number of policies needed with a cross purchase plan     General insurance topics       How insurance preserves assets       Personal liability umbrella insurance     Health insurance       Comparison of typical health plans       Which health plan is right for you?     Homeowners insurance       Disaster checklist       Fall/winter home maintenance checklist       Home inventory checklist       Homeowners insurance quiz       How to save money on your homeowners insurance       Personal liability umbrella insurance     Long-term care insurance       Comparing long-term care insurance policies       Inflation protection options       What to avoid when buying a long-term care insurance policy   FAQs     Automobile insurance       Another driver smashed my car, but he doesn't have insurance. How am I going to pay for the repairs?       Do I need to get auto insurance before I buy a new car?       Do I need to insure a car that's worth only a few hundred dollars?       Do I need to provide credit information on my auto insurance application?       Does my auto insurance policy cover flood damage?       Does my auto insurance policy cover me on car trips outside the United States?       Help! I forgot to pay my auto insurance premium last month. Will my insurance company cancel my policy?       How can I find insurance for my sailboat?       How can I reduce my auto insurance bill?       How can I reduce the expense of insuring a teenage driver?       How do I know if my auto insurance covers my broken windshield?       I don't own a car, but occasionally I borrow my friend's car. Do I need my own auto insurance policy?       I drive my own car on company business. Whose insurance will pay for damages if I get into an accident?       I just had a car accident. How do I file a claim with my insurance company?       I'm buying my first car. What should I look for in an insurance company?       I'm considered a "risky driver." How can I get insurance?       I'm considering leasing a car. Is there any special insurance I need?       I'm traveling to Europe this summer and won't need my car. Can I get my auto insurance suspended to save money?       I've found a better deal on auto insurance, but how hard is it to switch from one insurance company to another?       If I let someone borrow my car, does my insurance policy still cover me?       Is hail damage covered under a typical auto insurance policy?       Is it true that some sport utility vehicles cost more to insure than others?       Is there a minimum number of quotes I should get when shopping for an auto insurance policy?       My car was totaled in an accident. Can I negotiate the settlement amount?       My insurance company paid the bill for some body work done on my car after an accident, but I'm unhappy with the repair work. Is it too late to complain?       My mother is 90. Is it OK for her to keep driving?       Our daughter will be taking one of our family cars to college. Is this allowed under our auto insurance policy?       Should I buy medical payments coverage?       What are points, and do they affect my insurance rates?       What is "no-fault" insurance?       When I rent a car, should I purchase the collision damage waiver insurance that's offered to me?       Why do I need to provide so much information when getting an auto insurance quote?       Will my insurance premiums go up if I marry someone with a bad driving record?     Disability insurance       Can I buy short-term disability coverage through my employer?       Do I need disability insurance?       Do long-term disability insurance premiums depend on the nature of my job?       How can I reduce the cost of disability insurance?       How do I apply for workers' compensation benefits?       I broke my leg and can't work for two months. Am I entitled to file a disability claim with my employer?       If I have long-term disability insurance coverage through my employer, do I need my own policy, too?       Many years ago I was treated for cancer, but now it's in remission. Do I need to disclose this when I buy disability insurance?       Will I have to pay life insurance premiums if I become disabled?     Health insurance       Can I see a specialist outside of my HMO provider network?       Do I need cancer insurance?       Does a typical dental insurance policy cover braces?       Does my health insurance cover prescriptions filled by an on-line pharmacy?       How can I get affordable health insurance if I'm self-employed?       How long am I covered under my parents' health insurance policies?       How much health insurance coverage do I need?       I'll be changing jobs next month, and I'm pregnant. Will I qualify for health insurance coverage with my new employer?       I'm planning on living in Europe for several months. Do I need special health insurance?       If I leave my job, will I lose my employer-sponsored health insurance?       If my employer goes out of business and discontinues its health insurance plan, am I still eligible for COBRA benefits?       Is dental care covered under Medigap insurance?       Is prescription drug coverage part of my medical coverage?       My husband and I are getting divorced. How do we decide whose health insurance policy will cover the children?       What are health reimbursement arrangements?       What happens if my Medicare HMO goes out of business?       What is critical illness insurance?       What is Medigap?       What is prescription insurance?       What recourse do I have if my insurer will cover only the generic version of a drug my doctor has prescribed?       What's the birthday rule all about?       What's the difference between an HMO and a PPO?       Which is better, an HMO or a PPO?       Will Medicare alone be enough to cover my health-care needs in retirement?       Will short-term health insurance cover all my medical expenses?     Life insurance       Are withdrawals from a cash value life insurance policy ever tax free?       Can an insurance company require me to submit to a medical exam before granting me a life insurance policy?       Can I change the beneficiary on my life insurance policy? If so, how do I do it?       Can I convert all or part of my term life insurance to permanent life insurance?       Can I ever have too much life insurance?       Can I use life insurance to help me save for retirement?       Do I need life insurance if I'm single?       Do I need to name a relative the beneficiary of my life insurance policy, or can I name a friend instead?       How can an insurance company really tell if I smoke?       How can I reduce the cost of life insurance?       How do I decide if I should replace my existing life insurance policy with a new one?       How much life insurance do I need?       I have enough life insurance right now. But I might need more in the future if I decide to start a family. Will I be able to buy more later, even if I develop a medical condition?       I smoke cigars occasionally, but not cigarettes. Will I be charged smokers' rates for life insurance?       If I leave my company, can I take my life insurance policy with me?       Is it less expensive to buy life insurance while I'm young?       Is it possible to name a charity as the beneficiary of my life insurance policy?       Is there any way I can use life insurance to help cover my expenses if I become terminally ill?       Should I buy life insurance on my child?       Should I buy term or cash value life insurance?       Should I replace my permanent life insurance policy with another if I'm unhappy with the rate of return I'm getting?       What are the pros and cons of buying life insurance through my employer rather than buying my own policy?       What happens if my life insurance company files for bankruptcy?       What is group life insurance?       What is term life insurance?       What is whole life insurance?       When I die, is my beneficiary required to take a lump-sum payment of my life insurance death benefit?       Why do I need life insurance?       Why does an insurance company require an insurable interest before I buy a life insurance policy?       Will I be taxed on the growth of the cash value of my life insurance? What if my policy pays dividends?       Will my beneficiaries have to pay taxes on the proceeds of my life insurance policy?   Retirement Planning   Articles     Health care issues       Buying supplemental health insurance--Medigap       Coordinating long-term care insurance with government benefits       Health insurance in retirement       Medicare       Should you buy long-term care insurance?       Understanding long-term care insurance     Saving for retirement       Annuities and retirement planning       Borrowing or withdrawing money from your 401(k) plan       Choosing a beneficiary for your IRA or 401(k)       Closing a retirement income gap       Deciding what to do with your 401(k) plan when you change jobs       Estimating your retirement income needs       Evaluating an early retirement offer       Retirement planning--the basics       Saving for retirement and a child's education at the same time       Taking advantage of employer-sponsored retirement plans       Understanding defined benefit plans       Understanding IRAs       What to do after you've been automatically enrolled in your company's retirement plan     Social Security       Social Security retirement benefits       Understanding Social Security   Decision Tools     Health care issues       Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care       Medicare figures at-a-glance       Medicare, Medigap, and Medicaid     Retirement planning basics       Building an investment portfolio       Consumer price index inflation calculator       Growth of annual deposits calculator       How taxation can affect your retirement funds       Investing for retirement       Net worth calculator       Personal cash flow worksheet       Saving for your retirement       What is your risk tolerance?   FAQs     Evaluating an early retirement offer       Should I accept my employer's early retirement offer?     Housing issues       I'm having a hard time selling my home. 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Will I qualify for health insurance coverage with my new employer?       I'm getting laid off. How am I going to survive financially until I find another job?       I'm looking for a job. How can I tell if an employer is offering a good insurance benefit package?       If I leave my company, can I take my life insurance policy with me?       If I leave my job, will I lose my employer-sponsored health insurance?       If my employer goes out of business and discontinues its health insurance plan, am I still eligible for COBRA benefits?     Consumer protection       How can I protect myself against identity theft?       How do I stop those annoying telemarketing calls?       My radio broke two months after I bought it. I tried to return it to the store, but it won't give me a refund. What can I do to get my money back?     Loss of a spouse       How can I find out whether my deceased husband owned any life insurance?       My husband just died. 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How will this affect my Social Security benefits?       Should I sign a prenuptial agreement to protect my assets when I remarry?     Terminal illness       Is there any way I can use life insurance to help cover my expenses if I become terminally ill?   Tax Planning   Articles     General tax planning       Am I having enough withheld?       Choosing an income tax filing status       Help! 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Are they taxable?