Retirement Watch Weekly
It Is All about the Earnings
Rising earnings are boosting stock prices. Until recently, central banks (especially the Federal Reserve) were prime movers of the markets. Quantitative easing was designed largely to increase stock prices by pushing money into the markets, and it largely had that effect. But the Fed has been reducing its role since 2014. That pushes earnings and […]
Secrets to Aging in Place
You need a plan if you want to stay in your home for as long as possible. Most older Americans say they want to stay in their homes, or age in place, for as long as possible. An AARP survey in 2015 said almost 90% of those age 65 or older want to stay in […]
Should You Opt for Social Security Lump Sum Benefits?
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 a nice option, too many people are surprised by it and don’t receive the benefit package that’s best for them because […]
Ensuring Your IRA is Safe from Creditors
Is your IRA safe from creditors? Your assets are at risk from several directions. Of course, there always is the potential for a downturn that reduces cash flow from your job, business, or investments. Creditors could seek payment from your personal assets. Lawsuits are another risk. Some occupations, such as being a doctor, carry high […]
Avoiding the Most Common Causes of Failed Estate Planning
Many estate plans end in failure, and most of those failures were preventable. Estate planners know that many plans don’t produce the results the owners intended. The failures usually don’t spring from the tax strategies or language in the will. The failures most often result from the human side, or soft side, of estate planning. […]
Leveraging the Tax Code to Make Your Nest Egg Last Years Longer
Would you like to make your nest egg last years longer during retirement? Would you like to do that without worrying about the markets or searching for the hottest investments? You can. Over the years my research, confirmed by others, found a nest egg will last years longer if you pay attention to a few tax […]
The Fed’s Balancing Act, the Markets and Your Portfolio
Central bankers are dancing on a tightrope as they try to steer us toward higher interest rates and less monetary stimulus without triggering a downturn. Beginning in 2009, central banks made the markets safe for risk-takers by flooding the globe with money. The results were a very long period of modest economic growth and one of […]
Do Mutual Fund Manager Changes Matter?
Occasionally a change in the manager of a mutual fund makes financial headlines and influences the flow of investor dollars. A high-profile departure such as Bill Gross of PIMCO a few years ago can cause hundreds of millions of dollars, or more, to leave a fund. But there are many fund manager changes during the […]
