The Journal of Financial Planning awarded the 2023 Best Research Award to four academic researchers.

DENVER (December 6, 2023) – The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) and the Journal of Financial Planning are pleased to announce that four academic researchers have been recognized with the 2023 Best Research Award for their contributions to advancing financial planning practitioners and the profession. The 2023 Best Research Award winners are David Blanchett, Ph.D., CFA, CFP®; Timothy Todd, Ph.D.; and Michael Kothakota. Ph.D., CFP®; and HanNa Lim, Ph.D., CFP®.

"Every year, FPA is honored to highlight, at our Annual Conference and in the pages of the Journal of Financial Planning, the latest in research that builds the base of knowledge in our profession," said 2023 FPA President James Lee, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®. "These outstanding researchers have contributed new research that will keep practitioners on the cutting edge so they can best serve the needs of their clients."

Following a Call for Papers this spring, the researchers were invited to present their work at FPA Annual Conference 2023 in Phoenix, Sept. 27-29. Based on the evaluations of the presentations, the researchers receiving the Award are:

  • David Blanchett, Ph.D., CFA, CFP®, for "Tax Loss Harvesting: Check Your Frequency": Blanchett is managing director and head of retirement research for PGIM DC Solutions. His presentation and research suggested a new approach to tax loss harvesting that can help financial planners work within constraints to realize gains for their clients.
  • Timothy Todd, Ph.D.; Michael Kothakota. Ph.D., CFP®; and HanNa Lim, Ph.D., CFP®, for “Evaluating the Impact of Emergency Savings on Mental, Behavioral, and Future Goal Outcomes”: Todd is associate dean for faculty development and scholarship and professor of law at Liberty University School of Law; Kothakota is CEO of WolfBridge Wealth and lecturer at Columbia University; and Lim is a professor at California State University-Fullerton. Their research and presentation demonstrated how guidance that may be taken for granted affects outcomes for clients, including their financial stability and mental well-being, risk willingness, and equity allocations.

“We appreciate Drs. Blanchett, Todd, Kothakota, and Lim for their contributions to the financial planning profession,” added Danielle Andrus, editor of the Journal of Financial Planning. “Their work helps financial planners understand important financial planning topics to serve their clients at the highest levels of competency and ethics.”

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About the Financial Planning Association

The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the leading membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process. FPA is the CFP® professional’s partner in planning by helping them realize their vision of professional fulfillment through practice support, learning, advocacy, and networking. Learn more about FPA at financialplanningassociation.org and on Twitter at twitter.com/fpassociation.

About the Journal of Financial Planning

First published in 1979, the mission of the Journal of Financial Planning is to expand the body of knowledge in the financial planning profession. With monthly feature articles, interviews, columns, and peer-reviewed technical contributions, the Journal's content is dynamic, innovative, thought-provoking, and directly beneficial to financial planners in their work. Learn more at www.fpajournal.org.