In this summer’s issue of VESTED, we address reader questions about new regulations from the Department of Labor affecting financial advisors, gifting via qualified charitable distributions, and stock market behavior in election years.

Incapacity means that you are either mentally or physically unable to take care of yourself or your day-to-day affairs. Incapacity can result from serious physical injury, mental or physical illness, advancing age, and alcoho

These days, it’s not unusual to hear of $2 million, $10 million, and even $20 million court judgments against individuals. If someone is injured in your home, or if you cause a serious auto accident, you could have to pay such a judgment. If you don’t have an umbrella liability policy at the time of the accident, anything above the limits of your homeowners, renters, or auto insurance policy will have to come out of your pocket.

Many people are aware of the benefits of using a traditional 401(k) or an individual retirement account (IRA) to save or invest money for their retirement, but they may have either not heard of—or possibly overlooked—the advantages of Roth savings opportunities within their employers’ retirement plans.

Accumulating a substantial nest egg for your retirement years may seem overwhelming, but there are smart ways to plan for retirement at every age, says Eric Freedman, chief investment officer for CAPTRUST.

When it comes to saving for retirement, starting early is crucial, says Michael S. Pratico, a CAPTRUST financial advisor in Falmouth, Maine.

“The key to building wealth is simple in theory but difficult to do: Spend less than you make and invest the rest,” says Jean Duffy, a CAPTRUST financial advisor in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Saving and investing for retirement is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to plan for it, work at it and, if possible, get help from investment professionals.