Retirement Watch Weekly
Bob’s Journal Update for 1/17
We’ll soon know if the recent rally in the markets will continue, because fourth-quarter earnings reports are being rolled out. Most markets had a dismal fourth quarter of 2018. But markets turned a corner after Christmas and the subsequent rallies are impressive. While the S&P 500 still is down 4.28% for the last three months, […]
How the Social Security Lump Sum Benefit Works: Pros & Cons
Do you know there’s an option to receive up to six months of benefits in a lump sum when initiating Social Security retirement benefits? Not many people do, until they apply for benefits. While this is a nice option, too many people are surprised by it, and don’t receive the benefit package that’s best for […]
How to Generate Guaranteed Lifetime Income (Second Social Security Check)
In my new Retirement Watch Spotlight Series, I’ll share my newest breakthrough strategies for protecting your assets and growing your portfolio, including how to prepare for the next market downturn. Click here now to learn more. […]
Why Annuity Investments Are on the Rise (With Help from the Federal Reserve)
People are buying annuities again, and for good reasons. Not long ago, there was a steady decline in the amount of money flowing into annuities and there seemed to be no bottom. Annuity purchases, however, have rebounded — and indications are that the demand for annuities is likely to keep rising. In the second quarter […]
Bob’s Journal 12/20/2018
Last week’s Employment Situation reports were extremely strong, but don’t use them as good indicators of the strength of the economy or its trend. The nonfarm payrolls report showed that 312,000 new jobs were created, and revisions added a total of 58,000 jobs for the previous two months. The number of new jobs was well […]
Bob’s Journal for 1/3/2019
While Treasury bonds outperformed stocks in 2018, what happened within the bond markets was more important to investors. Stocks outperform bonds over the long term, but bonds have better years from time to time. Treasury bonds have outperformed the major stock indexes for only a few calendar years since the end of the financial crisis. […]
How to Trim Taxes and Maximize Benefits from RMDs
Last week, I shared 4 ways to trim taxes, and maximize required minimum distribution (RMD) benefits. This week, let’s continue the discussion, with 5 more strategies to consider, starting with.. Timing distributions. The tax law says the IRA must distribute at least the RMD by the close of business on Dec. 31. Other than […]
Warning: Your Children May Have To Pay for Your Long-Term Care
What’s the cost of not planning for your long-term care? Your estate or your children might be required to pay for it. Some little-used laws make this situation possible. Use of these laws increased the last few years, and they are likely to be used more in the future. Either the government or non-government providers of […]
