Interested in submitting a manuscript to the Journal of Financial Planning? Know an expert who might write for us? Below is a list of topics for potential original contributions to the Journal.
In some cases, the topics are broad and the author would narrow the focus to a specific slant. In other cases, the topics are more narrowly defined.
Life or Senior Settlements
Is it ever a smart financial strategy for an aging client in declining but not terminal health to sell an unneeded or unaffordable life insurance policy as a life or senior settlement? A recent study dismissed this strategy in all but rare circumstances. Others argue it can make sense. The article should look objectively at the numbers-what percentage payout, expenses, etc.-and the circumstances (children as heirs, etc.). The article would not cover life settlements from the investor's side.
Pension Plan Stability
Financial solvency has become a significant issue for traditional pension plans. This article would provide tools to help planners assess the financial stability of a client's pension plan. For example, what should the planner look for in the plan administrator's Form 5500 and other supporting documents that might suggest the true seriousness of any underfunding problems? Some critics argue that some of these numbers are misleading or essentially uninformative about how solvent the pension fund really is. What numbers should the planner examine and interpret that most accurately assess the situation? The article might include a sidebar on what planners might recommend for clients should their plan show worrisome underfunding problems.
Take a Pension Lump Sum?
We're looking for a companion article to the pension safety article that would re-examine the issue of whether to take a lump sum instead of an annuity should there be a real risk the employer-private or public-won't meet its pension obligations. Have the high-profile bankruptcies changed the equation in making this determination? Or is this offset by rising interest rates, which make lump sums smaller and thus less attractive? Do predictions of less-than-average market returns in the coming decade make ump sums less attractive? What is the latest thinking on this subject?
Health Savings Accounts
HSAs are likely to grow in use, whether consumers wish them to or not. We'd like to see an article that looks across the nation to compare premium differences among health savings accounts and more traditional forms of health insurance. What's the breakeven point in premium savings (20–30% savings, for example), client age, client health, etc., for HSAs that may or may not make these a good choice for a given client? In short, we need a hard-numbers article that gives planners applicable assessment tools or guidelines in order to determine when it makes sense for a given client to choose an HSA over say an HMO or PPO.
New Guidance for Separately Managed Accounts
The CFA Institute's Centre for Financial Market Integrity has issued new guidelines designed to help consumers and advisers better evaluate SMA costs and more accurately compare different investment options. This article would bring planners up to speed about these guidelines.
Max Out or Not Max Out 401(k) Plan?
Should high-income clients max out their tax-deferred qualified plan versus investing in them only enough to meet the employer match and investing the rest of the money in Roth IRAs, a tax-efficient taxable account, or perhaps stocks whose long-term capital gains are taxed at a low rate? The argument is that eventual 401(k) distributions could be taxed at an even higher rate than the rates at the time of contributions. The article should compare various investing alternatives.
Auto Leasing
Clients often ask planners to weigh the pros and cons of leasing versus owning a car. It might be useful for planners to know how to run the numbers to determine whether a particular lease deal works for a client, versus either other lease deals or versus outright purchase. What advanced elements can we provide for planners, what new strategies or considerations should they consider? Where do planners lack knowledge in this area?
Combination Long-term Care Insurance Policies
What are the merits and disadvantages of a life insurance or annuity policy that carries a long-term care rider? Do these combination policies offer a reasonable alternative for clients who can't afford or who balk at buying a stand-alone long-term care policy? What features and provisions should planners look for if they are considering them?
Advance Medical Directives
What new perspectives might a contribution article bring to this still-hot topic regarding living wills and the companion durable power of attorney for health care? What don't planners know or what aren't they doing properly in this area with their clients?
Interest-only Mortgages
This relatively new version of home mortgages has become very popular. Planners seem split on the merits of this type of mortgage. We could use an objective piece that offers guidelines for when this makes sense and when it doesn't.
Market-weighted Indexes Versus Alternative Weightings
In recent years we've seen academic debate and the emergence of a handful of index funds and indexes that are not traditional market-value weighted, but are weighted by alternative criteria, such as by sales, cash flow, and book values. An article on this topic would examine this new indexing approach and how it compares with traditional indexing, and whether financial advisers should consider using these new indexes for their clients.