The Specialist’s Desk
Sharpen the advice you give Monday morning.
Articles and research that practicing advisors actually use. Eight specialty areas. No paywall. No fluff.
Browse by Specialty
Browse by Specialty
Each topic area maps to an IBF designation program. Click any specialty to see its articles.
Mutual Funds & ETFs
Fund selection, expense ratios, performance evaluation, portfolio construction
Annuities
Fixed, variable, indexed annuities, income riders, suitability
Estate Planning
Trusts, wealth transfer, beneficiary planning, estate tax strategies
Retirement Income
Withdrawal strategies, distribution planning, Social Security timing, income floors
Tax Planning
Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, QCDs, bracket management
Social Security & Medicare
Claiming strategies, Medicare enrollment, IRMAA, spousal benefits
Divorce Financial Planning
Asset division, QDRO, tax implications, settlement analysis
Digital Assets
Bitcoin ETFs, crypto taxation, blockchain, digital estate planning
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Featured
Editor’s Desk
Curated from our latest research and most-read pieces.
Mutual Funds & ETFs
S&P 500 Weekly Drops of 5% or More
Since 1980, the S&P 500 has dropped 5% or more in a single week roughly 40 times. Here is every instance, what happened next, and what the data means for client conversations during volatility.
Mutual Funds & ETFs
Online and Robo-Advisors: The Evolution of Digital Advice Platforms
Digital advice platforms now manage over $1.6 trillion in the U.S. alone, yet most clients with complex needs still turn to human advisors. Here is how the landscape evolved and where it is heading.
Estate Planning
Wills, Probate, and Estate Administration: What Advisors Need to Know
Most clients believe their will controls their entire estate. It usually controls only a fraction of their total wealth. Here is what advisors need to know about wills, probate, and estate administration.
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