Retirement Watch Weekly
Commodities are the Big News in a Quiet Week
It was a quiet week overall. Most investment markets didn’t move a lot. The economic data was consistent with expectations. The politicians have been wrapped up in their conventions this week and much of the major media joined them. For investors, the big news in my opinion has been in commodities. After a substantial rise […]
A Primer on Self-Learning
All learning is self-learning to some extent, but there are more opportunities for self-learning today because of the Internet. This article explains the importance of self-learning and looks at the science behind it to give you a guide for how to be a self-learner today, no matter your age. One good reason to dive head […]
Controversy About Social Security Replacement Rates
I wouldn’t have thought that replacement rates would be a controversial topic, but they’ve become one. Social Security routinely has reported that at median income levels, Social Security retirement benefits replace about 40% of pre-retirement income. The SSA invited criticism, however, when it dropped replacement rates from the latest annual trustees’ report. It turns out […]
The Post-Brexit Global Stock Rally Continues
Inflation for the next year or so is likely to be higher than most investors and the markets are expecting. Once investors realize this, there will be changes in market prices on investments such as for longer-term bonds because today’s prices are based on expectations that inflation won’t increase for years. We’ve probably seen the […]
Markets Rise as Forecasters Stumble
Investors have a lot to worry about, and they know it. Unfortunately, investors often worry about the wrong things, or they take the wrong actions in response to their worries. Britain’s vote to leave the European Union (EU), which occurred after our last issue, is a great example. Markets for risky assets (stocks and commodities) […]
The Tricks and Traps of Taxes on Gold Investments
Gold is on investors’ minds again. The bear market that began in 2011 is over, and gold was up more than 28% in the first half of 2016. Gold could rise higher because of the consequences of Britain’s vote to leave the European Union and the potential for central bank mistakes. Before adding gold to […]
How Much of Your Nest Egg Should be in Annuities?
Should more of your retirement income come from annuities? For most of you, part of your retirement income already is delivered as an annuity payment. Social Security is an annuity, providing guaranteed income for life. It also has the bonus of being indexed for inflation. Most economists recommend people purchase immediate annuities with part of […]
Taking Advantage of the True Self-Directed IRA
A world of investment opportunities is open to individual retirement accounts (IRAs). In addition to stocks, bonds and mutual funds, your IRA can invest in real estate, private businesses, hedge funds, mortgages, tax liens and more. But most IRAs can’t take advantage of the flexibility the law allows, because the custodians and trustees restrict the […]
