​The year is halfway over. Have you met your savings goals so far this year? Are you behind on your savings for retirement? It’s easy to get behind on savings, especially when it comes to retirement, which may be years or decades in the future. After all, you probably have many other expenses and financial challenges that seem more urgent.
 
Fortunately, there’s still plenty of time left in the year to put away money for retirement. You may want to use qualified accounts to do so. These accounts, which include 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs), allow you to grow your funds on a tax-deferred basis. That means you don’t pay taxes on growth while the assets are inside the account.
 
Below are three commonly used qualified accounts and how they can help you save for retirement. You still have time left this year to ramp up your savings. Work with a financial professional to implement a savings strategy.

​Planning for your own death isn’t a pleasant exercise, but it’s too important to ignore. That’s especially true if you have children or other financial dependents. Estate planning is a critical component of any financial plan because it helps you protect those you love after you pass away.
 
An estate plan provides formal, written instructions to your loved ones on how to manage your assets after your death. It may provide financial support to your beneficiaries and loved ones. It also may direct your heirs on how to split up your assets. In some cases, an estate plan helps you protect your assets should you become incapacitated because of cognitive disorders in the final years of your life.