Must-Knows About ESOPs
These plans are often touted as a way to align employees' incentives with their employers', but the risks can be significant.
Christine Benz
Christine Benz is Morningstar's director of personal finance and author of 30-Minute Money Solutions: A Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Your Finances and the Morningstar Guide to Mutual Funds: 5-Star Strategies for Success. Follow Christine on Twitter: @christine_benz.
Featured
Latest
Do Your Holdings Pass the Decluttering Test?
Asking how well your holdings are doing their jobs is a starting point for trimming your portfolio.
Carl Richards: It Should Be OK to Relax Out Loud
The financial advisor and 'Sketch Guy' discusses what constitutes 'real' financial advice, why traditional retirement is a faulty concept, and how to break the culture of 'I'm busy.'
The 411 on 2021 Required Minimum Distributions
The who, what, when, where, and why of these withdrawals.
Must-Knows About Employee Stock Options
How to balance the tax and investment considerations.
Risk, Not Volatility, Is the Real Enemy
Grant us investors the wisdom to know the difference.
Manisha Thakor: Beware of 'Junk Personal Finance'
The author and financial educator discusses how social media affects financial well-being, how women can close the wealth gap, and why young people should steer clear of individual stock trading.
Rebalancing: What You Need to Know
How to keep your retirement assets on track.
Must-Knows About Restricted Stock
These grants can seem like mad money, but they can add up to serious money over time.
My 'Too Hard' Pile Is Pretty Big
And yours should be, too.
David Herro: 'We Are Not at All Afraid to Vary From an Index'
The portfolio manager of Oakmark's International funds talks about bargain-hunting during the pandemic, ESG and risk management, and why he's not complacent about inflation.
What I Learned From My 'Faux-tirement'
A six-week break from work provides takeaways for retirement--and the years that will come before.
Don't Be Dogmatic About Retirement-Portfolio Withdrawals
In high- (or low-) tax years, retirees may have reason to flout the rules of thumb on withdrawal sequencing.
Leif Dahleen: Finding Financial Independence
The Physician on FIRE blogger discusses the financial and lifestyle choices that go into retiring early, passive sources of income, and why and how he and his family give back.
Hot Spots for Your Midyear Portfolio Checkup
Here's what to keep an eye out for this year.
Get a Tax-Smart Plan for In-Retirement Withdrawals
Consider these strategies to stretch out your tax savings during your retirement years.
Your Financial To-Do List for July
Is it raining or too muggy? Use this time to evaluate your portfolio.
Jason Zweig: Temperament Is Everything for Most Investors
The author and The Wall Street Journal columnist discusses the current trading frenzy, the scorn for expertise, the road to a fiduciary standard, and more.
A Midyear Portfolio Checkup in 7 Easy Steps
Reviewing your year's performance so far, and positioning yourself for the future.
For Inflation Protection, Commodities Belong in the 'Too Hard' Pile
On the pitfalls of defending against the slow, corrosive effects of inflation with an incredibly volatile asset.
Jack Brennan: Price Pressure in the Advice Business Is 'Inevitable'
The author and former Vanguard CEO discusses the current investment landscape, his thoughts on ESG and ETFs, and the outlook for retirement planning.
How to Build a Portfolio You Don't Have to Babysit
Take these steps to become more of a hands-off investor.
Retirees: If You Love Income, You Should Love Cash Flow Even More
You diversify your investments; why wouldn’t you diversify how you source your in-retirement living expenses?
Get Financial Advice First, Investment Advice Later
Investors with more human than financial capital should seek advice on their entire financial life and not just investments.
Sonal Desai: Navigating Historically Low Yields and Stretched Valuations
The CIO of Franklin Templeton’s fixed-income team assesses the risks and rewards of bonds, the economic recovery’s durability, and the future of monetary and fiscal policies.
The Best Accounts for Heavy Savers
An HSA's tax benefits are hard to beat, but there are other options as well.
The Time Is Right for Aftertax 401(k) Contributions
The prospect of higher taxes and the uptake of in-plan conversions make this maneuver a no-brainer for heavy savers who have access to it.
Why Index Funds and ETFs Are Good for Retirees
Low costs and tax efficiency are obvious pluses, but so are ease of oversight and cash flow extraction.
Eduardo Repetto: ETFs Are Winning the Battle
The CIO of Avantis Investors discusses the firm's strategies and academic research, as well as his thoughts on the future of ESG and ETFs.
Retirees: How Inflation-Tough Is Your Portfolio and Plan?
Here's how to check.
50 Must-Know Statistics about Income and Wealth for LGBTQ People
Average incomes are lower and poverty rates are higher, especially for transgender people and LGBTQ people of color.
Clearing Up QCD Confusion
As this strategy becomes more commonplace, so do questions about how to execute it.
How to Calibrate Your Target Savings Rate
Savings rate rules of thumb are better than nothing, but smart investors customize their own savings targets.
Alan Moore: What Millennial Investors Want
The XY Planning Network cofounder discusses serving younger clients, the trading frenzy in individual stocks and cryptocurrencies, and the future of a fiduciary standard.
A Financial To-Do List for June
Make a blueprint of your financial plan and keep it on track with investment and retirement policy statements.
Where to Go for Cash in a Pinch
Without an emergency fund, here are some avenues to pursue--and one that you should definitely avoid.
Calculate Your Net Worth
Occasional checks on your net worth--your current assets minus liabilities--can yield valuable intelligence about your financial health.
How to Assess Your Insurance Needs
You manage risk at the portfolio level; here's how to address it in other parts of your plan.
How to Set and Invest Your Emergency Fund
Here's how to figure out how big your emergency fund should be and how you should invest it.
How to Create an Investment Policy Statement
An IPS helps transition your investment collection to an investment plan.
How to Develop a Plan for Paying Down Debt
Calculating ROIs for your investments and debt paydown can help you make wise capital-allocation decisions.
How to Tackle Estate-Planning Basics
Guess what? You've probably already started the process.
How to Get Financially Organized
Are you a hoarder when it comes to financial documents? Here's how to get them under control.
How to Create a Master Directory
This valuable document can help you see what you own, and serves as a crucial estate planning tool, too.
How to Assess Your Cash Flows and Create a Budget
Take these steps to ensure that spending doesn't interfere with your ability to save no matter your life stage.
Weekend Money Projects With Christine Benz
Use this summer series to cross some financial tasks off your list before fall.
Quantify and Set Financial Goals
How investment multitaskers can prioritize competing financial objectives.
These Charitable Investment Strategies Deliver a 'Three-fer'
These three maneuvers will tend to deliver a higher tax benefit than writing a check and deducting it, and may even improve your portfolio.
Andrew Biggs: Create a Thrift Savings Plan for the Masses
The economist and Social Security expert discusses whether or not there's a retirement crisis, and how the U.S. government's retirement plan could be a model for how low- and middle-income workers save.
Wondering About Withdrawal Rates?
Noted retirement researcher and financial planner Jonathan Guyton visits to discuss his take.