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.
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.
Annuities
RILA Buffer vs. Floor Mechanics: When Each Protection Strategy Works
Registered Index-Linked Annuities protect partial principal through buffers or floors, but they work oppositely. A 10% buffer absorbs losses until the index falls more than 10%. A -10% floor forces you to feel the first 10% of loss but caps it there. Understanding which fits your client's actual loss tolerance changes everything.
Tax Planning
SALT Deduction and Itemization Strategy After the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
The SALT cap jumped from $10,000 to $40,400 in 2026, but a MAGI phase-out claws it back for high earners. Advisors who understand the new thresholds, the phase-out mechanics, and the sunset timeline can save itemizing clients thousands.
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New Content
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Maximizing Social Security Benefits for Married Couples
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