Financial Planning with AAII

Guides »

by James Cloonan

Lifetime Investment Strategy

Master the guidelines for long-term successful portfolio management.

Guides »

AAII's Tax Guide

Our annual tax and financial planning guide is designed to help you assess your current tax situation and plan for any changes that may improve your tax liability both this year and next.

Financial Planning Know-How

The 10 Myths of Retirement Planning

Retirement planning requires a clear-eyed analysis of future needs and income. Yet many individuals view retirement through rose-colored glasses.

Here are some of the most common myths and how you can bring reality into focus.

Myth #1: You will not need as much money during retirement as you do now.

The general rule of thumb says that you will need approximately 70% of your pre-retirement income in order to maintain a lifestyle similar to that which you currently have. This may be true if you live your current lifestyle. However, when you retire, you will have more free time for travel, leisure activities, hobbies, and other things you might like to do during your retirement years.

Due Diligence: 10 Steps to Avoiding Ponzi Schemes and Financial Fraud

Bernie Madoff is now behind bars. But the uncovering of his enormous and long-running Ponzi scheme, and the fraud committed by several other financial hucksters, highlight the importance of asking the right questions and doing your own due diligence before selecting an advisor or participating in an investment.

What areas should you focus on when performing a due diligence review?

Here are 10 basic steps all investors...

Financial Planning Articles

See more Financial Planning Articles »