(Money Manager) - Teacher retirement systems are offered by individual states, for the purpose of offering pension and retirement benefits to teachers and other qualifying education system employees. These systems can vary widely from state to state in the way they are funded and how the contributions are made. There are also differences in how the percentage of the teacher's final salary is calculated according to the plan and how a teacher qualifies for the pension. There are also differences in the portability of the pension benefits.

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(Tom Tomaj) - As a fee-only investment advisor I come across clients from all walks of life. Lately I have noticed something in common with many of these investors. Many do not know the difference between an investment advisor and a broker who manages and/or makes securities recommendations for their clients’ investment portfolios. With the almost unprecedented volatility in the securities markets, you cannot afford to dig your head in the sand when it comes to whom is managing your assets.

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(Marcel Dupre) - There are lots of concerns about safety of assets these days. With this in mind, I thought it fitting to provide a few helpful hints.

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(Anthony Williams) - If you mention risk in today's tumultuous market climate, most people probably think of their rapidly shrinking investment accounts. But in reality, investment risk takes many forms, and each can affect how you pursue your financial goals. The key to dealing with investment risk is to learn how to manage it - with help from your financial advisor.

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(Eric Hutchinson) - In a world of increasingly complex financial and economic markets and changing tax laws that can impact the amount of return you receive from your investments, the fact is that most of us could, at one time or another, use some professional financial help and guidance.

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(Money Manager) - There are many financial and personal reasons why you should own your own home rather than rent. The obvious reasons include pride of ownership, building your own equity instead of someone else’s, no more landlords, and of course the tax benefits you reap. There are a multitude of other reasons why owning your own home can make your life better.

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(Money Manager) - Wealth management – what exactly does that phrase mean? How does it differ from financial planning and investing? While it may sound like just another buzzword, wealth management actually is an approach used by financial advisors to manage the wealth of their top tier clients who have more money than the average investor. There is no hard and fast rule as to the amount of financial assets a person must have to be included in the wealth management category, but when a person accumulates over $1 million in assets, he and his financial advisor should consider shifting their focus from typical financial planning to the idea of wealth management.

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(Money Manager) - The word "bankruptcy" has a bad connotation, and for good reason. However, is it a bad thing for everyone? The answer varies depending on your situation but it is worth taking the time to read this and other articles, and possibly to discuss with an attorney.

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(Money Manager) - Preparing a savings plan is much like planning a trip. You are at point “A” and you want to get to point “B”. Maybe you'll wish to visit points “C” and “D” also. Before you set out, you select a route or routes that will get you there either most quickly, usually sacrificing comfort for speed, or the best way for your style of travel. A savings plan is very similar. You can devise a plan that will get you there the most quickly and usually with the greatest sacrifice, or you can prepare a savings plan that will eventually get to the same point but allow you to give up less.

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(Money Manager) - The purpose of this application is to help employees to ensure that they do not have too much or too little income tax withheld from their pay. It is not a replacement for Form W-4, but most people will find it more accurate and easier to use than the worksheets that accompany Form W-4. You may use the results of this program to help you complete a new Form W-4, which you will submit to your employer.

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