Retirement Watch Weekly
Bob’s Journal
I hope each of you had an excellent July 4 holiday. In this holiday-shortened week, let’s diverge from our usual Bob’s Journal entry. This week let’s take a look at a crime that has touched or scared almost everyone: identity theft and cybercrime. I share the insights from a published interview with Frank Abagnale, author […]
Markets Without People – Passive, Index and ETF Investing
Howard Marks of Oaktree Capital in his latest shareholder memo addresses the consequences of index investing, quantitative investing, and artificial intelligence. In other words, he addresses the trend toward investing with minimal interference from people. He starts with a nice history of passive investing and exchange-traded funds, and then goes on to discuss his view […]
Corporate Stock Buybacks And The Market
This article argues that a surge in stock buybacks have supported the stock market and outweighed a surge in individual investor selling of stocks. It also says that support for the market is likely to continue for a while, and that individual stock selling often is a good time to buy stocks. Companies announced $433.6 […]
Act Now to Avoid Higher Medicare Premiums in Two Years
The Medicare premium surtax jumped higher for many retirees in 2018, making planning for this Stealth Tax more important now and in the future. The Medicare premium surtax, or surcharge, is officially known by the acronym IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount). It was created by the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, and was first imposed […]
Lining up Your Cash Sources for the Next Emergency
One key to a successful retirement is being able to handle the surprises. You don’t know when the surprises will come or what they will be, but you can bet retirement will have surprises. A sharp market downturn is one possible surprise. A wide range of large, unplanned expenses also is possible: home repairs, auto […]
What Every Spouse Needs to Know about Inheriting IRAs
One of the most difficult financial tasks facing a surviving spouse is how to handle the individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and other qualified retirement plans. Mistakes often are made with inherited IRAs, whether they are inherited by spouses, children or others. It is understandable. Retirement accounts are treated differently than most other assets in the […]
Ensuring Your Legacy: Estate Planning for IRAs and Other Retirement Accounts
IRAs and other qualified retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, are among the most valuable assets many people own. Often, the goal is to pass at least part of these accounts on to the next generation and let the tax-deferred compounding of any remaining funds continue until they are needed. The IRS and the tax code […]
Power of Attorney: The Most Important Document in Your Estate Plan
The financial Power of Attorney (POA) could be the most important document in your estate plan. Yet, many people don’t have one. And many people who do have a power of attorney didn’t give it much thought and have inadequate documents. Adverse results can range from bills not being paid on time to trusted people […]
