Perhaps you are familiar with an annuity. The basic premise is that you convert a lump sum of money into a stream of income. Unlike an investment, once you commit a fixed amount of money to the insurance company, that company is contractually obligated to provide you a minimum level of income with the option […]
Why Buy an Annuity When the Market is Up? Read More »
As the Social Security Trust Fund approaches its expiration date, many existing entities are offering helpful suggestions for funding alternatives. For example, the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) recommends a combination of changing how cost of living adjustments are made, delaying retirement age and updating the delayed credit strategy. Among its proposals, the AMAC
Social Security Proposals and Strategies Read More »
Spectrem Group’s recent Market Insights Report found that millionaire investors in the U.S. achieved a new record last year. The number of households with a net worth ranging between $1 million and $5 million (excluding primary residence) increased by 600,000, reaching 11.6 million in 2020. In addition:1 The number of households with a net worth
Building Wealth and Income Read More »
Financial professionals and economists have been talking about the “graying of America” and the retirement crisis for at least a couple of decades. Now, it seems, things have reached a tipping point. Even labor union workers, largely beneficiaries of rich benefits and pension plans, have been hit hard. Throughout the past century, unions set up
New Status on Pension Plans Read More »
If there’s one thing that can move the economy and stock market forward, it’s hope. This year, that hope is being presented in the form of COVID-19 vaccines. Economists and Wall Street analysts have long proclaimed that comprehensive economic recovery is not possible until we have contained the virus. The prospect of wide distribution of
Vaccines and the Stock Market Read More »
At some point in your life, you may lose the ability to make or communicate responsible health-care decisions for yourself. Without directions to the contrary, medical professionals are generally compelled to make every effort to save and sustain your life. Depending on your attitude toward various medical treatments and your views on the quality of
Incapacity and Advance Medical Directives Read More »
Stock market volatility in 2020 has clearly reinforced at least one important investing principle: Short-term goals typically require a conservative investment approach. If your portfolio loses 20% of its value due to a temporary event, it would require a 25% gain just to regain that loss. This could take months or even years to achieve.
Accumulating Funds for Short-Term Goals Read More »
This is the first of a two-part article on Dynamic versus Static Risk Strategy. Fifty-five percent of Americans said that they (and/or a spouse) had money invested in the stock market in 2019. Since this is the same percentage of Americans as was reported in 2018, it’s obvious stock ownership still has a way to
Dynamic versus Static Investment Risk Strategy Read More »
In the past two years, Congress has passed two pieces of legislation that have made an impact on individuals. The first was the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”, the largest tax overhaul of the tax code in 30 years. The second, more recently passed (and effective January 1st, 2020) was the “Setting Every Community Up
The SECURE Act – What You Need to Know and How It Changes Your Retirement Plans Read More »
Want to know a secret? The two keys to 401k investment and retirement success* are: Save and invest aggressively when young Manage risk well in allocations as you approach and enter retirement I know those are oversimplified but they are accurate. Knowing this, when was the last time you evaluated how much you’re saving or
Two Keys to 401(k) and Retirement Investment Planning Success Read More »
