Financial planning

Catherine Yeulet | Getty ImagesWhat the inverted yield curve meansGenerally, longer-term bonds pay more than bonds with shorter maturities. Since longer-maturity bonds are more vulnerable to price changes, investors expect a "premium," explained Preston Caldwell, head of U.S. economics for Morningstar Research Services."In normal times, the yield curve slopes upwards," he said. But there's currently a downward sloping curve, also known as an "inverted yield," with the 2-year Treasury paying more than the 10-year Treasury.…

C.j. Burton | The Image Bank | Getty ImagesWhat happens if a loved one dies without a will? Millions of us are bound to find out, as two-thirds of American adults have no will, according to a recent Caring.com study.If a person dies without a will, or intestate, the probate court decides who gets the deceased's property, said certified financial planner Vid Ponnapalli, founder of Unique Financial Advisors LLC in Holmdel, New Jersey."But while the court distributes the property, it is ultimately up to the survivors to…

Shapecharge | E+ | Getty ImagesInvestors crashed the Treasury Department website for Series I bonds on Friday as they clamored to lock in a record-high interest rate before a key deadline.I bonds have proven to be a bright spot for investors amid declines in the broad stock and bond markets this year. They are a nearly risk-free asset tied to the rate of inflation; as inflation has soared to its highest level in roughly four decades, so too have returns for I bond investors.Investors must buy I bonds and receive a…

Insta_photos | Istock | Getty ImagesIf you're eager to secure 9.62% annual interest for Series I bonds for six months, the deadline is quickly approaching.You must purchase I bonds and receive your confirmation email by Oct. 28 to lock in the record 9.62% rate, according to TreasuryDirect. The rate is expected to drop to roughly 6.48% in November, based on the latest inflation data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  More from Personal Finance:You can save $22,500 in 401(k) plans and $6,500 in IRAs in 2023Here's…

If you've already maxed out 401(k) plan contributions for 2022 and you're eager to save more for retirement, some plans have an under-the-radar option, experts say.For 2022, you can defer $20,500 into a 401(k), plus an extra $6,500 for investors 50 and older. But the total plan limit is $61,000 per worker, including matches, profit sharing and other deposits. And some plans let you exceed the $20,500 deferral limit with so-called after-tax contributions. "It's definitely something higher-income people may want to consider…

If you're planning to sell investments or rebalance your taxable portfolio, you may be less likely to trigger a tax bill in 2023, experts say.This week, the IRS released dozens of inflation adjustments for 2023, including higher income tax brackets, increased standard deductions, bigger estate tax exclusions and more. The agency also bumped up income thresholds for the 0%, 15% and 20% long-term capital gains brackets for 2023, levied on profitable assets held for more than one year.More from Personal Finance:IRS bumps up…

RyanJLane | E+ | Getty ImagesAfter a difficult year for the stock market, investors have poured money into Series I bonds, a nearly risk-free and inflation-protected asset that's paying a record 9.62% annual interest rate through October.With the rate expected to drop to roughly 6.48% in November, there's a brief window to secure higher interest for six months, assuming you haven't exceeded the I bond purchase limits for 2022. While I bond rates shift twice yearly based on inflation, you can still lock in 9.62% annual…

More advisors are using alternative investmentsAlternative investments typically fall into four categories: hedge funds, private equity, "real assets" like real estate or commodities and pre-packaged investments known as "structured products."Amid double-digit losses in the stock and bond markets this year, there's been an uptick in advisors turning to alternative investments, as planners seek further diversification, according to a recent survey from Cerulli Associates. The top reasons for alternative allocations were to…

Luminola | E+ | Getty ImagesIt's natural to fixate on portfolio losses, especially with the S&P 500 down more than 20% for the year.But you may still have gains after years of growth, and the profits could qualify for a 0% tax rate, depending on your earnings.The thresholds may be higher than you expect — even six figures of joint income for a married couple, financial experts say.More from FA 100:Here's a look at more coverage of CNBC's FA 100 list of top financial advisory firms for 2022:Many investors think of two…

If you're racing to meet the Oct. 17 tax extension deadline, make sure you don't skip key forms as you're rushing to the finish line, experts say.It's critical to file a complete and accurate return to avoid processing delays, according to the IRS, including details from all the necessary forms.Further, you may prevent stalled refunds and future IRS notices by filing an error-free return online with direct deposit.More from Personal Finance:As demand soars for Series I bonds, TreasuryDirect gets a makeoverThe job market…