CFP® Study Guides
Certified Financial Planner exam guides covering insurance, retirement, tax, estate planning, and more.
Insurance — How to Pick the Right Policy Type
Term vs. Whole vs. Universal: when to use each, coinsurance, umbrella coverage, and the exam traps that catch candidates off guard.
Retirement Plans — The Decision Flowchart
A systematic framework for choosing between DB, DC, 401(k), SEP, SIMPLE, and more. Includes contribution limits, eligibility rules, and employer vs. employee risk.
Tax — AGI vs. Taxable Income
Above-the-line vs. below-the-line deductions, the SALT cap, phase-out traps, and what's included vs. excluded from gross income.
Estate Planning — Property Ownership Types
JTWROS, Tenancy in Common, Community Property, and Tenancy by Entirety — probate, gross estate inclusion, and step-up in basis rules.
Business Entity Selection
C-Corp vs. S-Corp vs. LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship — liability, taxation, ownership rules, and when each structure wins.
Education Savings — 529 vs. Coverdell vs. UGMA
Contribution limits, income phase-outs, qualified expenses, FAFSA treatment, and the key differences between each education savings vehicle.
Life Insurance — Policy Riders and Dividend Options
Dividend options explained, key policy riders, 1035 exchanges, MEC rules, and how policy loans work.
Retirement Distribution Rules
RMDs under SECURE 2.0, early withdrawal exceptions, Roth IRA rules, Form 8606 pro-rata calculations, and NUA strategy.