Blog

Unused Premium

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 14: Evaluation Portfolio Performance Student Question: Could you please clarify for me what the unused premium would be in term life insurance?  I don’t quite understand how you could not use the premium.  Thanks. Instructor Response: Certainly.  A lot of different terms in insurance, to be sure. Assume you pay $6,000 in…

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Roth IRA Contributions

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Lisa, age 35, is a high-income earner with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $165,000 in 2025. She wants to contribute to a Roth IRA. She is not covered by a retirement plan at work. Lisa also wants to use the funds for a first-time home purchase in 3 years. Based on current IRS…

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Serving Women Clients: A $30 Trillion Opportunity for CFP® Professionals

By Shawn Janes

Good to Know As the financial planning profession continues to evolve, one opportunity is coming into sharper focus: the need for more intentional, strategic planning for women clients. With an estimated $30 trillion in assets projected to shift into the hands of American women by the end of the decade, financial planners who neglect to…

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Passing Property Via Will

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 14: Evaluation Portfolio Performance Student Question: Hello – I’m a little confused about the example (below) discussing an heirloom of only sentimental value. Why would this be titled at all for a will, especially since an earlier lecture said items of no value would pass through will as the situation does not…

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Optimal Retirement Benefits

By Dan Madden, CFP®

John and Maria are both 62 years old and considering when to begin collecting Social Security retirement benefits. John has a higher earnings history than Maria. Maria did not work for many years while raising their children and has lower lifetime earnings. They are trying to maximize their combined lifetime benefits. Which of the following…

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The Financial Planning Longitudinal Study: Demonstrating the Value of CFP® Professionals

By Shawn Janes

CFP® Board Updates In a profession driven by trust, data matters. For years, CFP® professionals have asserted that their training, ethical standards, and comprehensive approach deliver superior value to clients. Now, new evidence from the CFP Board’s Financial Planning Longitudinal Study provides compelling support for that claim. This multi-year research project tracked the financial behaviors…

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Coverdell ESA versus 529

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 7: Educational Aid and Funding Calculation Student Question: So is there ever any benefit to choosing a Coverdell ESA over a 529 Plan? It seems the big difference in the two is that the Coverdell has an AGI limit, so why would you just not always steer clients towards 529 Plans…

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Characteristics of a Will

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Which of the following statements concerning a Will are correct? (1) A will can be altered, amended, or completely rewritten at any time before a person’s death. (2)  A will cannot be rewritten but can be amended at any time by a codicil. (3)  A will must be signed by the maker and usually must…

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Integrating Psychology into Financial Planning: Enhancing Client Relationships and Outcomes

By Shawn Janes

Good to Know One of the most significant additions to the CFP® curriculum in recent years is the formal inclusion of the Psychology of Financial Planning as a core knowledge domain. This shift reflects a broader recognition that effective financial planning requires more than technical expertise – it demands insight into human behavior, communication, and…

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