The financial professionals who contribute to Kiplinger's Adviser Intel regularly write about annuities.

Most of these tax surprises are avoidable, but many retirees aren't ready for the shift in how and when taxes show up in retirement. These strategies can help.

What looked like smart tax planning could become a problem. And not just for you — your kids could inherit a tax bomb. How to head off potential disaster.

Want to give your kids a home down payment? Want to help cover daycare expenses? Instead of writing them a check, transfer appreciated stock into their account.

If a special needs trust isn't structured correctly, the recipient could lose out on a chunk of money when they need it the most. Here's how to prevent that.

Some retired taxpayers don't realize that premiums for Medicare and long-term care insurance may be deductible on their return. Here's what financial planners say you need to know.

The established wisdom is never to touch your Roth IRA, but if it contains a large sum and you have a pension, too, here's when you should tap into it first.

Markets tend to experience uncertainty leading up to midterm elections, followed by recovery. Canny investors recognize that dip as a tax planning opportunity.

Shifting from tax preparation to tax planning can help you strategically time Roth conversions and avoid Social Security taxes or Medicare surcharges.

The growing U.S. deficit can only be controlled by cutting spending, accelerating growth or raising taxes. The latter is a real risk, but you can be prepared.

You combine your housing wealth and lifetime annuities to help ensure that an average of three-quarters of your retirement income is not subject to market risk.

If you're considering a 1031 exchange after making a large capital gain from selling a property, stop and ask how it will affect your portfolio in the long term.

You may think you'll pay less in taxes once you retire, but taxable withdrawals and Social Security can keep your tax bill as high as it was during your career.

Sometimes a Roth conversion isn't right for you — or at least not right now. A financial adviser explains what you should consider before getting involved.

Diligent savers who take steps to capitalize on these tax-saving opportunities can keep more of their wealth and even help build a tax-efficient legacy.

The first meeting with a new adviser can be intimidating, but you can reduce your worry and ensure you're hiring the right person by following a few rules.

Direct energy investing offers unique tax benefits, although high-income households should carefully evaluate its risks, not just its tax treatment.

If you've saved millions for retirement, take cover from the "tax torpedo" of RMDs, IRMAA and the NIIT, which all conspire to spike your marginal tax rate.

Many women forgo financial planning because it's just another thing to add to their lengthy to-do list. Here's why you should bump it to the top of your list.

A mega backdoor Roth IRA allows high-income earners to potentially move tens of thousands of dollars into a tax-free retirement account. This is how it works.

As well as making many tax cuts permanent, the OBBBA introduced a host of thresholds, phaseouts and deductions that affect everyday taxpayers, including these key changes.

Tax law changes might be confusing, but there are still ways to be generous without sacrificing financial security. A donor-advised fund is a place to start.

Roth conversions have become a hot financial buzzword in recent years, but they're frequently misunderstood. Here's why they aren't the best move for everyone.

The decision to move to a different state should balance financial issues with the lifestyle you want, rather than simply choosing a low-income-tax state.

Incorporating housing wealth and lifetime annuities in your retirement income plan can offer a significant tax-cost advantage over an investment-only plan.

If you just wrote a check to the IRS, that could be a reminder that today's municipal bond market may offer better after-tax outcomes than you might expect.

If your stock portfolio took a beating this spring, there's a little-known tax strategy that lets you defer — and potentially eliminate — capital gains taxes.

The estate tax was repealed in 2010, meaning billionaires could pass on their wealth tax-free. OBBBA tax provisions aren't that, but high-net-worth families should still act.

As private equity consolidates the accounting industry, high-net-worth families with complex tax situations might want to set up centralized oversight.

Tax planning is a year-round effort that uses strategies like Roth conversions to reduce future bills, even if it means moving into a higher bracket temporarily.