EMPLOYEES GET MORE THAN A PAYCHECK

Surveys show that employees tend to underestimate the amount of money that their employer is spending on employee benefits. It's up to you to get them to realize the compensation they are receiving.

ARE DISABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS TAXABLE?

Have you decided to include disability insurance as part of your financial plan? If so, the next decision is how to pay the premiums. Here's why: The choice you make now can affect the taxability of the benefits received later.

SHOULD YOU USE A BANK LINE OF CREDIT?

Just exactly what is a bank line of credit and who should be using one? A bank line of credit is not a great deal different from a credit card. You make draws against your line of credit from time to time as you need cash. You pay interest only on the amount of the loan balance outstanding. You are expected to make payments and occasionally bring your outstanding balance to zero. Let's look at an example.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR 2013 TAX CUTTING

There's not much time left for you to make beneficial tax moves for 2013. Consider these possibilities.

TAX STRATEGIES FOR CHARITABLE GIVING

Now that the holiday season has arrived, you might decide to step up your charitable donations to boost your deductions for 2013. Here are six timely strategies.

TAKE A CREDIT FOR SAVING

Depending on your income, you might qualify for a tax credit of up to $1,000 for contributing to an IRA or other retirement plan. Don't overlook this "saver's credit" as an opportunity to both cut your 2013 tax bill and increase your retirement nest egg. You have until April 15, 2014, to make a 2013 IRA contribution that could qualify for the credit.

SUPPORTING A PARENT COULD CUT YOUR TAXES

If you provided more than half a parent's support in 2013, you may be entitled to a $3,900 dependency exemption. If other family members helped to provide support, you can use a "multiple support agreement" to decide who gets the exemption for 2013. Paying a caretaker or paying for a parent's medical expenses might qualify for a tax credit or deduction.