The Help Desk

Can I borrow from my retirement savings to buy real estate?

Can you borrow from an IRA, 401(k) or Roth IRA to invest in a rental property or a business? — Bob H.

It can be tempting to borrow money from your retirement funds, but it's usually not a good idea, warns Frank deNapoli, senior vice president at Winslow, Evans & Crocker in Peabody, Mass. "You're shortchanging your retirement," he says.

Assets you take out of your nest egg will not have an MORE

Where can I compare rates for immediate annuities?

Is there a website that provides the best rates for immediate annuities? — Dale D.

First off, a quick definition: Unlike other types of annuities, immediate annuities start paying out right after you buy them with a lump sum payment. Immediate annuities can vary based on the duration of their payments. For instance, they can be "period certain," which pays out over an allotted period of time (typically 5–20 years), or MORE

Can I roll over my HSA funds to a new account?

I have two Health Savings Accounts. Can I transfer funds from one account to the other without incurring a tax liability? — Coleen B.

The short answer is yes. You'll need to contact the trustee of the HSA you want to keep and tell them you want to roll savings over from another account. They will contact the trustee of the other account to perform the rollover, explains Elisa Steele, a MORE

Why are my credit scores all different?

Why are the credit scores that I get from the three major credit report agencies different from the score that a financial institution uses when I apply for a loan? Why are the scores different on all three bureaus' reports even when pulled on exactly the same day? — Curtis S.

The three major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion—use proprietary algorithms to generate your credit score. And your lender may MORE

What's the best investment strategy for a recent graduate?

I just graduated in May and started my first job this past week. I plan on putting the maximum amount that my company will match into my 401(k). But what should my allocation be? Will a standard 60% stock, 40% bonds allocation work for a brand new investor? — Robert F.

First, congratulations on your decision to start saving right away. By starting early, your savings have more time to benefit MORE