Covers various aspects of the principles of investments and their application to financial planning. Discusses risk analysis and risk and return computations. Looks at stocks, bonds, investment companies, options and futures contracts. Includes an extended discussion of tax issues in investing and issues in the practice of portfolio management, including strategic and tactical asset allocation. Provides many examples of ethical and practical issues in managing a client’s portfolio.

Covers various aspects of estate and gift tax planning, including the nature, valuation, transfer, administration and taxation of property. Provides a basic understanding of the estate and gift tax system, including strategies of estate planning. Discusses gratuitous transfers of property outright or with trusts, wills and powers of appointment; use of the marital deduction; valuation of assets; and buy-sell agreements. Covers the client interview, fact finding, ethical standards and development of personal estate plans.

Focuses on the important changes clients face as they age to enable financial advisors to better serve clients' needs. Presents the demographics of aging, as well as economic, historical, biological, psychological and political perspectives. Deals with social aspects—life course transitions, family relationships and social support systems, living arrangements and work and retirement. Covers care issues, including health and health care, caring for the frail elderly and dying, death and bereavement. Also addresses practical considerations involved in communicating effectively with seniors.

Provides a thorough analysis of the alternatives available for senior clients to finance medical and long-term care, including private resources, government programs and private insurance. Emphasizes the need for care, the settings in which health care services are provided, and the types of resources available to finance them.

Focuses on financial decisions clients face as they approach, reach and pass retirement age and on the tools and techniques financial advisors may employ to assist their clients with these decisions. The course covers source of income, retirement calculations, investment considerations both during the accumulation and distribution phases, annuities, housing decisions and estate planning concerns. Especially valuable for practitioners helping clients move retirement assets from employer sponsored to individual retirement plans. Provides perspectives on dealing with aging and retired clients and their families.