FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Business Owner   FAQs     Advertising a business       How can I get free publicity for my business?       How do I know where to advertise my business?       What is the best form of advertising?     Insurance coverage       A cell phone and laptop computer owned by my company were inside my briefcase when it was stolen. Will my company's insurance cover the loss?       Can I get disability insurance if I'm self-employed?       I drive my own car on company business. Whose insurance will pay for damages if I get into an accident?       I own a business. Are there any creative ways I can use life insurance in my business?       I use my laptop computer for my home business. Is it covered under my homeowners policy?       I'm an independent contractor. Where can I get health and disability insurance?       I'm thinking about opening a day-care business in my home. Does this raise any insurance issues?       What is errors and omissions insurance?       What is stop-loss insurance?       What kind of insurance coverage do I need for my small business?     Starting a business       Don't most small businesses fail?       How do I find good advisors such as lawyers and accountants to help with my business?       Is buying a franchise a good way to get into business?       Should I buy an existing business or start from scratch?       Should I buy or lease assets for my business?       What are the stages of business development?       What should I look for in a business location?   Education Planning   FAQs     529 plan basics       Do 529 plans include both state savings plans and prepaid tuition plans?       How long have 529 plans been around?       How many states currently have 529 plans?       What can you tell me about employer-sponsored 529 plans?       What is the Independent 529 Plan?       What's the difference between state savings plans and prepaid tuition plans?       Who can legally offer 529 plans?       Why are these plans referred to as "529" plans?     Choosing a 529 plan       Can I invest in any state's 529 plan, or am I limited to my own state's plan?       How do I know whether to choose a state savings plan or a prepaid tuition plan?       I've decided on a state savings plan, but how do I go about choosing one?   Retirement Planning   FAQs     Employer-sponsored retirement plans       Can I roll a retirement plan distribution into an IRA?       Can I still have a traditional IRA if I contribute to my 401(k) plan at work?       Does the federal government insure pension benefits?       How can I plan for retirement if my employer doesn't offer retirement benefits?       I teach at a school that has a 403(b) plan. Is this type of plan a good way to save for retirement?       My company has a profit-sharing plan. How do these plans work?       Should I contribute to my 401(k) plan at work?       Should I use my 401(k) to fund my child's college education?       What are my options if I inherit an IRA or employer-sponsored plan?       What does the term "qualified plan" mean?       What is vesting?     Evaluating an early retirement offer       Should I accept my employer's early retirement offer?     Health care issues       Can I deduct premiums paid for long-term care (LTC) insurance?       How can I pay for nursing home care?       How can I tell if a nursing home provides high-quality care?       How do I enroll in Medicare?       How does Medicare+Choice work?       Should I buy long-term care insurance?       What is long-term care insurance?       What is Medigap?     Housing issues       I'm having a hard time selling my home. Should I take out a reverse mortgage?       I'm retired now and own my home outright, but I need money to live on. How can I use my home to raise some money without selling it?       My husband just died. Should I accept my daughter's offer to move in with her?     IRAs       Can I avoid the 10 percent penalty tax for early withdrawals from a traditional IRA?       Can I contribute to a Roth IRA?       Can I roll a retirement plan distribution into an IRA?       Can I set up a traditional IRA?       Can I shift my traditional funds to a Roth IRA?       Can I still have a traditional IRA if I contribute to my 401(k) plan at work?       Can I take money from my IRA without any penalty?       I need money--can I take funds from my IRA?       It's January, and I forgot to contribute to my IRA. Is it too late?       Should I invest in a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA?       Should I withdraw money from my IRA to pay for my child's college tuition?       What are my options if I inherit an IRA or employer-sponsored plan?       What are required minimum distributions and how are they calculated?       What are the rules for IRA contributions?       What's a premature IRA distribution, and what happens if I make one?