The joint tax return may seem as inevitable as the income tax itself. But commentator Anne Alstott says the joint return is obsolete, and the nation would be better off without it.

How do you plan your investments when you're planning for people of different ages? If a family has one person who is of retirement age and another who's much younger, how should common investments be allocated? Conservatively (keeping in mind the older person) or aggressively (in the interests of the less old person)? Thanks!!! Rina, Bronx, NY