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- Supreme Court takes up health care law challenge
The Supreme Court is hearing legal challenges to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act this week. The court will examine arguments about whether Congress has the authority to make people buy health insurance and will discuss whether the rest of the law can stand on its own even if the insurance requirement is judged to be unconstitutional. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)
(3/26)     
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- SEC investigation targets high-speed trading
Firms that employ high-frequency trading have become the target of an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The investigation, whose targets reportedly include electronic-trading platform BATS Global Markets, is focused on whether firms are using computerized trading systems to gain an unfair advantage over other investors. Financial-Planning.com/Reuters
(3/23)
- Critics warn about investor protection as JOBS Act passes Senate
The Senate passed the controversial JOBS Act last week on a 73-26 vote. The bill included an amendment to require companies to provide investors with tax disclosures for equity investments of up to $1 million. The House of Representatives, which has already voted in favor of the act, must now vote to approve the amended bill. Critics, including consumer groups and regulators, argued the act would harm investors through deregulation. AdvisorOne
(3/22)
- GOP budget proposal would overhaul Medicare
The Republicans' proposed 2013 budget includes as a cost-saving initiative an overhaul of Medicare that would let Americans buy a competing, government-approved insurance plan with premium support. The plan is a modification from an earlier proposal to give seniors vouchers to buy private insurance. Reuters
(3/20)
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- Effective marketing begins with a good story
The trick to winning over prospects is to have a well-defined story about what your firm can do for them, says Ross Ozer, senior vice president of Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services. The next step is to tell the story consistently as part of the overall marketing. InvestmentNews (free registration)
(3/23)
- How longevity can factor into a Monte Carlo analysis
Financial planners who employ Monte Carlo analysis might overestimate their clients' longevity, Michael Kitces writes. Planners often choose plans that have a low risk of failure over a certain time period, such as 30 years. However, for many clients, there is only a small likelihood they will live that long. The result is that planners may craft overly conservative retirement plans in some cases. Nerd's Eye View blog
(3/19)
- Do your clients excel at financial self-efficacy?
Research found that people who have a strong sense of self-efficacy are more likely to accomplish their goals, writes Carol Anderson, president of Money Quotient. Self-efficacy takes the right combination of experience, role models, encouragement and emotional and mental health. The same principles apply in the context of financial planning, Anderson writes. "[I]t is important to consider how these four strategies can be applied to personal finance and used to nurture and strengthen your clients’ sense of financial self-efficacy." FPAnet.org/Practice Management Center blog
(3/20)
- 2 of the 12 things you can do to make employees feel appreciated
Joni Youngwirth, managing principal of practice management at Commonwealth Financial Network, shares tips for how financial planners can make their firms better places to work. A Gallup report shows that employees want to be recognized for their contributions and to be a part of a culture of caring at work. All it takes are some simple acts to make employees feel appreciated and to encourage kindness in the workplace, Youngwirth writes. FPAnet.org/Practice Management Center blog
(3/23)
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Join the discussion: What do you think about these suggestions? Do you have any of your own? Or things you did that you thought would make your workplace better, but didn't wind up being successful? Visit FPA's Practice Optimization community to share your thoughts. (FPA Members Only)
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- Indicators point to continued U.S. economic growth
The Conference Board's index of U.S. economic indicators increased by the biggest amount in 11 months in February. The forecast for the next three to six months improved 0.7% last month, compared with 0.2% in January. Improvements in the labor market, including increased hiring and a decrease in applications for jobless benefits, contributed to the trend. Financial Advisor online/Bloomberg
(3/22)
- Trade bonds for stocks, Goldman tells investors
Increasing equity prices will present a major opportunity for investors in the coming years, according to an analysis by Goldman Sachs. The firm says investors should take advantage by transitioning from bonds in favor of increasing stock holdings. The outlook for equities is at its best "in a generation," one analyst says. InvestmentNews/Bloomberg (free registration)
(3/21)
- Increasing health care costs threaten retirement plans
 Unpredictable health care costs are among the greatest risks to clients' retirement plans, says Andrew Osterland. Couples can expect to pay $230,000 on average for health care expenses during retirement. Financial planners can help by familiarizing themselves with the Medicare system and discussing health care risks with their clients. InvestmentNews/INTV (free registration)
(3/23)
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May 15 deadline for P. Kemp Fain Jr. Award nominations
The deadline for nominations for FPA's P. Kemp Fain Jr. Award is May 15. Find out more about the award and how you can nominate a colleague.
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