News & Updates
Financial Advisor vs. Do-It-Yourself Investing
CFP® Certificants in the News There’s an old pilot’s joke about the increasing automation of the cockpit that goes something like this: The ideal flight crew is one pilot and a dog. The pilot’s role is to feed the dog. The dog’s role is to bite the pilot if they try to touch any of…
Read MoreNational Debt Part 2: Private Sector Perspectives
Good to Know This blog article is the second in a three-part series, including: Federal agency perspectives, Private sector perspectives, and Summary comparison. How does our national debt impact the private sector in the United States? Unsurprisingly, economic experts do not unanimously agree that our rising national debt to gross domestic product ratio is cause…
Read MoreCFP Board Research Reveals Millenials’ Top Life Goal
CFP® Board Updates A recent research report by the CFP Board shows “Financial Independence” is the #1 priority of millennials. The survey found 46% of individuals born between 1981 and 1996 cite financial independence or stability is their top life goal. Travel, a healthy and long retirement, career fulfillment, and developing lasting relationships were other…
Read MoreNational Debt: Fiscal Tsunami or Ripple?
Good to Know This blog article is the first in a three-part series, including: Federal agency perspectives, Private sector perspectives, and Summary comparison. “The growing [national] debt could create additional challenges for federal fiscal management, which could in turn cause challenges for American households and individuals, too. These potential challenges include: Risks to economic growth…
Read MoreWhat You Should Know About CFP Board Discipline
CFP® Certificants in the News CFP Board publishes disciplinary actions that include public censure, suspension, and even permanent revocation of the right to use the CFP® mark. We’ll identify two recent disciplinary actions taken by CFP Board and then make observations. Public Censure Paul, a CFP® certificant from New York, “entered into a Letter of…
Read MoreCFP Board Releases Book on CFP History
CFP® Board Updates To commemorate the 50th anniversary of CFP® certification, the CFP Board has published The First 50 Years of CFP® Certification: The Standard for Financial Planning, written by Michelle Kruger, Ph.D., CFP®. Filled with memories and forward-looking insights from individuals who helped lead the CFP® certification’s development over the years. To purchase the book,…
Read MoreSocial Security Bankruptcy—Fear or Fact?
Good to Know Social Security consists of two major benefit programs—disability and retirement/survivorship. We’ll address these programs in just a moment, but first, the author will contrast the crucial difference between Social Security “solvency” and “bankruptcy.” Solvency is the ability to pay 100% of benefits. Bankruptcy is the inability to make any significant benefit payments.…
Read MoreWill 401(k) Rollovers Equal Advisors’ Fiduciary Responsibility?
CFP® Certificants in the News The CFP Board’s recent news release opined that “The Department of Labor’s new retirement security rule standard expanding fiduciary duties will likely face legal opposition. Advocates for the rule, including CFP Board, plan to submit amicus briefs in support of the DOL in any lawsuits.” The news release cites an…
Read MoreFiduciary Rule Rises Again
Good to Know If the term “Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule” sounds familiar, there’s a reason. The DOL’s previous Fiduciary Rule (2016) was a failed regulatory effort that was struck down by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2018. The Court held that the DOL exceeded its authority. One perspective of the Court’s ruling…
Read MoreCFP Board Announces March 2024 Exam Results
CFP® Board Updates The March 2024 Exam cycle took place from March 12-19, 2024. With 3,683 individuals being administered the exam, it was the largest number of people ever to sit for the CFP Board Exam. The pass rate for the March 2024 exam was 68%. Based on those results, the number of CFP® Professionals…
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