News & Updates
Don’t Miss These CFP Board Developments
CFP® Certificants in the News Just in case you missed these announcements, be aware that the CFP Board recently announced two significant developments. The Clock is Ticking: Comment Period Ending — Proposed Revisions to Competency Standards On December 17, 2024, the CFP Board’s Board of Directors sought public comment on proposed changes to the Competency…
Read MoreWake Up Call for Retirement Savings
Good to Know Let’s frame the challenge faced by far too many Americans. Confidence in a comfortable retirement remains soberingly low. Consider this: Less than half of Americans feel confident about their retirement savings, Nearly one-third of Americans plan to depend solely on Social Security for retirement income, and The average annual Social Security benefit…
Read MoreTop 5 Reasons to Become a CFP® Professional
CFP® Certificants in the News The new year is upon us and while January resolutions are common, the author encourages you to take a deep strategic look at your financial career, especially if you’ve yet to gain CFP® certification. This designation is one of the most recognized and respected credentials in the financial planning space;…
Read MoreCFP Board Seeks Public Input on Proposed Updates to Competency Standards
CFP® Board Updates The CFP Board of Directors is inviting public comment on proposed revisions to the Competency Standards for CFP® certification, covering education, experience, examination, and continuing education requirements. These updates aim to keep the standards modern, relevant, and aligned with the evolving financial planning profession. To develop these recommendations, the CFP Board formed…
Read MoreCFP Board Announces November Exam Results
CFP® Board Updates The CFP Board has announced the results for the November 2024 CFP® Certification Exam, held during the testing window of November 6-13. A total of 3,755 candidates participated, with 6% opting for remote testing. This marks the second-largest group to ever take the CFP® Certification Exam in November. The pass rate for…
Read MoreChoosing the Best Medicare Advantage Plan
Good to Know Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C, is an increasingly popular alternative to Original Medicare, offering highly sought-after additional benefits and coverages. With a wide variety of plans available, selecting the right one can feel overwhelming. However, by considering key factors such as coverage needs, costs, and network restrictions, you can confidently choose…
Read MoreFinancial Planning Jobs for Career Changers
CFP® Certificants in the News The author is frequently asked how a newly-minted CFP® Certificant finds their first financial planning job. One resource not to be overlooked is the CFP Board’s Guide to Careers in Financial Planning which “provides students, recent graduates and career changers with information on starting and sustaining successful financial planning careers. Developed by the…
Read MoreBitcoin ETFs, Pros and Cons
Good to Know How does a retail investor play in the cryptocurrency market? Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be an accredited investor to participate, you can simply invest in a publicly traded Bitcoin ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund). Such an ETF does not hold Bitcoin but rather tracks the price of Bitcoin. It may…
Read MoreHigh Satisfaction Among CFP Professionals
CFP® Board Updates The CFP Board has released findings from a recent survey of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals, showing high satisfaction with their careers and highlighting the positive impact of CFP® certification on their professional lives. These insights come from the CFP Board’s 2024 survey, conducted by Heart + Mind Strategies LLC, which aimed…
Read MoreEmerging Trends for Long-Term Care
Good to Know The traditional approaches and challenges to managing long-term care costs are: Self-insurance — the risk of depleting savings (e.g., retirement portfolios), Buy insurance — sharply increasing premiums plus increasingly tight underwriting requirements, and Medicaid — poverty generally required to qualify. It’s been said that nature abhors a vacuum and it appears that…
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