As the Department of Labor prepares to roll out new rules, which would require investment companies, brokers and advisors to put the interest of retirement savers first, our guest Ray Ferrara, former Chair of the CFP Board, joins us to discuss the fiduciary standard and why the financial services industry should embrace, not fight it. Ray has been one of the key players involved in the national debate surrounding the rules that should govern financial advice and was one of the experts who testified before The Employee Benefits Security Administration, the DOL division responsible for spearheading the change. We began the conversation with an explanation of the proposal, which would require that retirement investment professionals not only be held to a higher standard of putting clients first, but they would also have to fully disclose and eliminate conflicts of interest that exist.

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The Financial Planning Coalition, a collaboration of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board), the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), strongly supports the DOL’s proposed rule and notes:

"Retirement investors face a perfect storm in the financial services marketplace. With ever-increasing responsibility for their own retirements and the need to choose from an increasingly complex set of financial products and services, retirement investors more than ever need competent financial advice that is in their best interest. Yet the current regulatory framework allows advisers’ interests to be misaligned with the interests of retirement investors; it does not require advisers to clearly and openly disclose the standard of conduct under which they operate or their actual or potential conflicts of interest; and it permits market practices under which retirement investors are simply unable to distinguish advisers who provide fiduciary-level services from those who do not."

This rule could be a game-changer for the industry. No longer will companies be able to sell opaque, expensive products that once were deemed "suitable" but will not pass the fiduciary smell test. And if you hear complaints from the industry, saying that the rule will mean that they will no longer be able to serve the middle class, I say, THANK GOODNESS! That means that they can no longer peddle their expensive, clunky products, like variable annuities or non-traded real estate investment trusts. And if they choose to raise minimums or fees, consumers have plenty of choices, like services offered by Betterment or Rebalance-IRA, which offer ease and simplicity at a fraction of the cost that those big firms charge.

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer in the World. Here's how to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet us: @jillonmoney and @MTalercio

Guest Paul Auslander the Director of Financial Planning at ProVise Management Group, LLC and the former FPA President and Chairman of the Board, joins the show to discuss why it is so important to hire a FIDUCIARY advisor--one who puts YOUR interests first!

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Paul and I discussed the startling report from the The Financial Planning Coalition, which highlighted the fact that some financial service providers “are contributing to the confusion in the marketplace by identifying themselves as financial planners but not providing financial planning services.” If you want to read more about the report, check out my post "Investors are 'Confused and Harmed'".

We love guests, but we also love your calls. Melanie is a second-time caller, seeking additional advice on how to invest her husband's retirement money. E-mailer Lupe needed help getting started with investing, while Keith is trying to juggle the income tax impact of his 10 rental properties.

Thanks to Ben and Paul who weighed in on collecting Social Security on a former spouse and to Caroline, Beverly and Gail, who wrote in about my recent article "Estate Planning Checklists".

Jan and Debbie wrote in about their retirement accounts and Rich wanted to know about 2015 limits for Roth IRAs.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Check out Mark's first-producing credit for this CBS Evening News segment that aired recently. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet us: @jillonmoney and @MTalercio

After a volatile period in the markets, it's time to focus on things you CAN control, like the expenses you pay for investment management. MarketRiders.com and ReBalance-IRA.com founder Mitch Tuchman joins us to explain why now is a great time to seek affordable investment advice.

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Mitch says that fees are eating away at your bottom line, which is why he launched MarketRiders.com for do it yourselfers and Rebalance-IRA.com for those who want to outsource their management. And here's a stunning a fact: a recent ReBalance-IRA study found that half of the people surveyed think that they are paying ZERO in fees. If you are seeking investment advice, here are 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Advisor.

Marcia from Maryland asked about collecting Social Security benefits from an ex-spouse, David from Texas wants to know whether he should he use extra cash flow to fund a Roth and separately, what's the best college funding vehicle? Jo from Louisville wants to know whether investment advisory fees are worth it and Sharon wrote in about my recent segment on CBS This Morning about “Women and Money”.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Check out Mark's first-producing credit for this CBS Evening News segment that aired recently. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet us: @jillonmoney and @MTalercio

It's parents' weekend at many colleges all over the country, a perfect time for career expert, Sheila Curran of The Curran Consulting Group (CCG) to join us for a guest appearance. Sheila has spent a chunk of her career running college career service centers and is now a consultant who helps would-be job seekers of all ages to understand how to better position themselves to land a plum gig.

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What should young scholars be doing to prepare for the new cut-throat career world, where there is little loyalty and only a few formal training programs? Sheila says it is no longer about classroom learning-students should be interning as a means to try out different career tracks. She also advises that young interviewees do their homework before the interview. For mid-career professionals, who seek change, she advises to self-examination and to think like an employer!

Calls this week from Scott from Boston, Carol from RI, Debbie and Warren were heavily tilted towards retirement, while Mark from KY wanted to know what a self-described stock-market-a-phobe should do with an account that has ballooned in value?

Chris from MD asked how he might be able to determine whether his advisor is acting in your best interest? This allowed me to talk about the F-Word: FIDUCIARY! Check out: PlannerSearch.Org

No-Name, a recently retired with $185K in cash is seeking a “fairly safe” investment…ah, the age old question of risk vs. reward! And Chris from Melville, NY wrote in recommending that I discuss bond/CD ladders and Janice asked what would happen if a big custodian were to fail?

Here's last week's segment from CBS This Morning, where I discussed how to navigate benefits enrollment.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Check out Mark's first-producing credit for this CBS Evening News segment that aired recently. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet us: @jillonmoney and @MTalercio

At mid-point in the summer, it's hard to concentrate on your financial life. On the other hand, you may be asking for trouble if you tune out until September. So sit back, turn up the volume and let us accompany you to the beach, the mountains, the lake or the country!

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Janet Stanzak, the president of the board of directors for the Financial Planning Association (FPA) is just the person to help you figure out how to find the right financial advisor for you. She says that while compensation is important, it is not the only thing people need to consider when selecting a financial pro. She also went through some of the 35 questions to ask tool the FPA recommends people ask prospective financial advisers. (You can also check out my shorter 10 Questions) If you are looking for an advisor, you can use the FPA Planner Search tool.

Steve brought up a classic dilemma: funding retirement versus saving for education. In his case, the question is not an either/or one! Meanwhile, Thomas and Arthur are both all about retirement. Thomas has already set aside a good chunk of dough and wants to know how to invest it, while Arthur is having a tough time creating enough money from his portfolio to meet his income needs.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Check out Mark's first-producing credit for this CBS Evening News segment that aired recently. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet us: @jillonmoney and @MTalercio

Why does the financial services industry have to complicate our lives? The good news is that once we get you set, managing your money should be as easy as brushing and flossing, perhaps helped by a couple of trips to the dentists each year. While there are so many ways to simplify your financial life, sometimes the industry really does make it hard.

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Lori's call about being sold two variable annuities is a case in point and allowed me to discuss the concept of  fiduciary standard, which requires financial professionals to act in the best interests of their clients. You may think that any broker or insurance agent is obligated to do so, but they are generally held to a much looser standard, called “suitability.” In other words, the product or advice they are providing needs only to be suitable for you, rather than in your best interests. The sale of variable annuities to Lori may have been "suitable", but it was most certainly not in her best interest. 

Not surprisingly, the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), the trade association that lobbies on behalf of the financial services industry, has opposed imposing regulation that would be too strict, because it would “limit consumer choice”. The more cynical will note that the fiduciary standard would put a big dent into commissions generated by firms and their salespeople, especially those who recommend fee-rich products inside rollover accounts. Sadly, the industry lobbyists have spent oodles of money and as a result, the fiduciary standard, which should have been adopted in the aftermath of the financial crisis, is now on hold until 2016 at the earliest.

Also on the show, some 529 info for Mark's sister; a long-term care insurance review; and advice on how to invest a lump sum that must remain liquid.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Check out Mark's first-producing credit for this CBS Evening News segment that aired recently. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet us: @jillonmoney and @MTalercio

Regardless of whether you are rooting for Germany or Argentina, we have a world class show this weekend, featuring special guest Mitch Tuchman, founder of MarketRiders.com and Rebalance-IRA.com. Mitch foundedthese companies to help retail investors gain access to the same tools and philosophies that sophisticated investors have been using for decades

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As Mitch likes to say about financial services, "There's probably not an industry that is so overpaid for providing so little!" To learn more about creative companies like those Mitch has created, check out my article "Advice for Small Investors".

Lenny has rotten investment options inside of his 403 (b) Suzy wrote in about whether or not to rollover her old retirement account. (For more on whether or not to rollover old retirement plans, see "Rock and Rollover".)

Mark wanted to make sure that his intermediate financial goals seemed appropriate;  Steve is wondering whether he and his wife have accumulated enough money to fund retirement; LeRoy wants to invest a $1 million inheritance to minimize risk and maximize return; and Jack asked, "Why would anyone buy bonds?" What followed was a quick "Bonds 101".

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Check out Mark's first-producing credit for this CBS Evening News segment that aired recently. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet us: @jillonmoney and @MTalercio

In between the beach, barbecues and long weekend festivities, we help you celebrate financial independence!

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People ahere are some resources for those who are seeking financial advice:

• How to Choose a Financial Advisor: 10 Questions to Ask
• FPA Planner Search
• NAPFA.org

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Check out Mark's first-producing credit for this CBS Evening News segment that aired recently. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet us: @jillonmoney and @MTalercio

Have your New Year's resolutions gone astray? At mid-year, we get you back on track to help you achieve your financial goals! In between, I include some classic home buying mistakes and a sneak-preview of the book that I am writing...don't worry, I will keep everyone posted on my progress and ask for suggestions along the way!

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We started the show with Dave, who is working 15-hour days and needs to know when he can hang 'em up. As with most retirement plans, there are a lots of ways to achieve the goals--the key is to select the path that is right for you and your family.

I provided two very different answers to insurance questions this week. There was Johnny, whose wife is the beneficiary of a trust, but if she were to predecease him, the proceeds of the trust would skip him and go to her kids. What kind of protection should he have in place if that unlikely scenario were to play out? Then Jeff wondered whether his philosophy of buying term insurance and investing the difference was a sound one. Sometimes a Twinkie is just a Twinkie...you'll have to listen to get the reference!

Nancy has inherited $1,000,000 and is bewildered by the sales pitches that financial folks are presenting. For Nancy, e-mailer Michelle and everyone else, here are some resources for those who are seeking financial advice:

• How to Choose a Financial Advisor: 10 Questions to Ask
• FPA Planner Search
• NAPFA.org

We also fielded questions about annuities, closing credit card accounts, 529plans and financial planning for elderly relatives.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Check out Mark's first-producing credit for this CBS Evening News segment that aired recently. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet us: @jillonmoney and @MTalercio

When aging parents ask you about estate planning or transferring a house into your name from their names, you should seek the advice of a good estate attorney before making any decisions.

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Mary Ellen and JP both had questions about the pros and cons of creating life estates. This can be an excellent way for your parents to remain in their homes; protecting them from nursing home liens; avoiding probate; and retaining the ability to receive a step-up in cost basis upon death.  Of course, there are downsides too...

Along those lines, Dawn asked about creating a trust for her assets to protect them against being devoured in the event that she requires costly long-term healthcare.

We helped Linda determine whether $1.4 million is enough to retire at age 55 and discussed how Carol might handle a $300,000 inheritance.

If you hold a lot of your company stock in your 401 (k), pay attention to my conversation with Dan--you'll learn an easy way to extract company stock in a tax advantaged way!

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Check out Mark's first-producing credit for this CBS Evening News segment that aired recently. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet us: @jillonmoney and @MTalercio

So many of you ask how to navigate the head-scratching journey of selecting a financial professional. As caller Lou said, "I don't want buzz words, I want someone who will take care of me!" In addition to Lou, James and Theresa also asked about selecting financial pros.

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Of course you have to interview a number of advisors before you settle on the one that is right for you. To help with those meetings, print out my "10 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor".

For those who have smaller accounts or want to invest on their own, there are a number of web-based alternatives, which guide you through a risk assessment process, recommend a portfolio and then either provide you with a nudge to rebalance (for do it yourselfers) or an automatic rebalancing tool that the company will employ on your behalf. Check out "Advice for Small Investors" for more information.

Rick and Doumo asked about home purchases, while Mike and his wife wanted a reality check on their retirement plans --everything seemed A-OK!

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Check out Mark's first-producing credit for this CBS Evening News segment that aired recently. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet us: @jillonmoney and @MTalercio

Evidently, there's a football game in New Jersey this weekend. Before you partake in the festivities, check out this week's show, where we are talking about how to select a financial advisor.

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Who better than Janet Stanzak, the president of the board of directors for the Financial Planning Association (FPA), to help guide us in the mission of identifying a financial advisor? Janet joined us to discuss the concept of "full and fair disclosure," which may be more important than comparing fee structures of various advice-givers.  While compensation is important, it is not the only thing people need to consider, according to Janet. She also went through some of the 35 questions to ask tool the FPA recommends people ask prospective financial advisers. If you are looking for an advisor, you can use the FPA Planner Search tool.

We fielded questions from Amanda and Leigh about inherited IRAs; Dennis and Mike, who wanted to know whether they had accumulated enough to consider retirement; and Carol and Tom, who both had questions about rolling over retirement accounts.

Lisa and Dan had education funding questions, which reminded me about FinAid.org, a fabulous college funding resource that super-smart Mark Kantrowitz founded.

By the way, here are those Super Bowl factoids that I sprinkled throughout the show:

• Players on the Super Bowl-winning team will make $92,000 each; losers $46,000
• Cost of a 30 second spot:  $4.5 million
• Economic impact on NY-NJ area: $194 million (versus the $500-$600 million that the NFL and politicians  have claimed)
• Who bets? Nearly 1/3 of U.S. adults are likely to wager on the big game, 92 percent of those surveyed said they've actually lost money gambling on the Super Bowl in the past
• The Super Bowl is the second highest day of food consumption in the US after Thanksgiving. (USDA)
• The average fan will consume 1200 calories and 50 grams of fat from snacks, NOT including the meal itself (Calorie Control Council and Snack Food Association)
• Chicken wings: Fans will chow down on 1.23 billion wings or more than 100 million pounds of wings
• Dominos estimates that it will deliver 11 million pieces of pizza to hungry viewers
• Antacids sales are expected to increase 20 percent on the day after Super Bowl

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Let me know if you think we should provide Mark with a little space to vent his various grievances with you...we're considering calling it "Mark's Musings". If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet me: @jillonmoney

No matter where you are in your life, it's important to prioritize your financial goals and objectives. In this episode, we help listeners at different stages, understand how to make those important decisions.

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Mark from MN is trying to figure out the best way to finance his daughters' college educations, without draining too much from his retirement nest egg. David from TX is almost finished paying for his daughter's college and is wondering whether he and his wife can retire early.

After leading a debt-free life and shunning all loans, Brian is having a hard time purchasing a car, while Brad is wondering how to manage a lump sum insurance settlement.

We helped both Kristen and Angel think about how to prioritize debt pay down, establish emergency reserves and contribute to a retirement plan; Bob needed a strategy to redeem his E and EE savings bonds; and David wanted to know how to maximize his various retirement plan options.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Let me know if you think we should provide Mark with a little space to vent his various grievances with you...we're considering calling it "Mark's Musings". If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet me: @jillonmoney

It is unbelievable that this is our 150th show. When we started this project three years ago, our goal was clear: to create a radio show for smart people, who need help with their financial lives. Mark and I are happy to report that our fan base has been better than we could have ever imagined--thank you all for listening!

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Throughout the program, we highlight the "14 Money Tips for 2014" and of course answer some great questions!

Linda is a retiree with ample income - does she really need a emergency reserve fund? Meanwhile, Jane and her husband wanted a reality check on whether they can afford early retirement, while Kim is wondering if its OK to buy her retirement dream condo a few years early.

Is it reasonable to dump a long-care policy when you are 77? Karen says that it's becoming increasingly difficult to pay the premiums on her fixed income.

Gary and Steven tell the flip sides of market timing: one waiting for stocks to correct last year, while the other was fortunate enough to invest in stocks last year, even through he probably should never have risked the money in the first place.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Let me know if you think we should provide Mark with a little space to vent his various grievances with you...we're considering calling it "Mark's Musings". If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet me: @jillonmoney

In the post-Polar Vortex show, many of you want to know the answer to a simple question: "When can I retire?" The answer is different for everyone, but the basics are the same: (1) you need to know what your required income will be in retirement, (2) you should tally up what you can expect from pension and Social Security and (3) assume 3 to 3.5 percent annually from your investment accounts.

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I followed those three steps to help listeners Wayne and John figure out whether or not they can retire. In both cases, there was very good news!

Lyle asked about the consolidation and allocation of his retirement accounts, while Gary is trying to start over with a savings plan and Ralph wanted to know about the safety of various mutual fund companies. Neal might take a cue from Roger about rebalancing his various accounts--there are a bunch of companies that can assist investors (MarketRiders, Betterment)  for a reasonable monthly fee. Both Brian and Tracy asked about various types of financial advice. To great resources to find an advisor are: the Financial Planning Association, which has an easy-to-use tool and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA).

Bobby reminded us about the IRS' Saver's Credit and Richard likely needs to see an elder-care attorney to discuss options for his mother.

Dennis wrote to thank me for my two recent articles on estate planning: Estate Planning Basics and Estate Settlement Basics and Maria asked about Social Security Widow benefits.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. Let me know if you think we should provide Mark with a little space to vent his various grievances with you...we're considering calling it "Mark's Musings". If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet me: @jillonmoney

No gloating about those massive stock market gains of 2013...it's time to look ahead and plan for 2014 and beyond!

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Yes, it was the best year for US stocks since the 1990's, but that's cold comfort for diversified investors, who no doubt are feeling a bit of “asset class envy” right about now. Sure, your brain is telling you that the point of being diversified is that you have a mix of different asset classes included in your portfolio, some of which zig when others zag.  But we know how your heart is just pining to own “the right” asset class every year. Sadly, it's just not possible, so why not concentrate on the basics and quit the second-guessing?

This week's show was a perfect example of how core financial issues can be just as important as investment performance. Daryl asked about maintaining an old whole life insurance policy, while Fred is interested in long-term care insurance.

On the investment front, Gary wondered about index vs. managed funds; Peter is concerned about his muni bond fund; Mike is trying to diversify his portfolio in advance of retirement and Roy is attempting to find a financial advisor.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet me: @jillonmoney

While you are busily returning your holiday bling, tune into this week's show for some sound financial advice.

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There are just two business days left in the year, but there's still time to take advantage of money saving ideas before we ring in 2014. Check out these two posts for some ideas:

• Year-End Planning: Investing
• Year-End Planning: Benefits, Retirement

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet me: @jillonmoney

Hope we can keep you company as you race around the last days before Christmas! Remember, there's still time to do some last minute year-end planning, so check out the show!

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Mitch from MN and Mary from NC are finding that the much-lauded asset under management (AUM) model of advisory fees is not the best fit in every situation. If you are in the market for an advisor, here are some resources:

• 10 Questions to Ask Financial Advisors
• Financial Planning Association Planner Search
• NAPFA Planner serach

Francis from Boston asked about structured settlements, which led to the old saying that "If it's too good to be true..."

Ed and Ron weighed in with Social Security questions; Howard and Glen asked about estate planning; and Robert and Roy had retirement issues.

If you need year-end tips, check out these two posts:

• Year-End Planning: Investing
• Year-End Planning: Benefits, Retirement

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Mark, the BEST producer in the world. If you have a financial question, there are lots of ways to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

• Tweet me: @jillonmoney