Retirement Watch Weekly
Reducing Medicare Coverage
It’s no secret that everyone in Washington feels a need to reduce the cost of Medicare. What they disagree about is how to do it. The appointees of the administration, however, seem to agree on their preference. They want to reduce the care that is covered under the program. You’ve seen evidence over the last […]
Long Term Care Costs Rise, But at a Lower Rate
The cost of long-term care insurance rose again over the last year, but at a fairly moderate 4.4%, according to an annual MetLife survey. For a long time, the costs rose at 7% or more annually, well above the rate of inflation. In recent years the rate of increase has declined, but so has overall […]
Countering the Attack on Medicare
Once the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010 was enacted, government leaders began the push to reduce the cost of the program. Their main focus is to reduce care and treatment, claiming much of it is unnecessary and doesn’t provide benefits. But they might not be using the best analysis and studies to decide the […]
Comparing Annuities and Bond Ladders
Which is better: an immediate annuity or a bond ladder? I’m asked that frequently these days, and the frequency increases as more Baby Boomers inch closer to their post-career years. First, let’s define terms. A bond ladder is constructed by purchasing a portfolio of bonds that mature in different years. The simplest ladder is equally […]
November 2011
December 1, 2011 11:15 a.m. Responding to the Central Bankers’ Big Move Central bankers made a big splash Nov. 30 with coordinated announcements to make dollar loans available to European banks at lower interest rates. Global markets in risky assets responded with large gains. Here’s my take. There’s been a quiet run on European banks […]
How to Close a Major Gap In Most Estate Planning Strategies
Some people with estate plans do some-thing that is almost as bad as not having a plan. They avoid key decisions in their plans. The result can be the same as having no estate plan: Potential problems for loved ones, including loss of wealth and family disharmony. Once people start on an estate plan, they […]
Writing Family Love Letters for Estate Planning
The typical result of an Estate Planning strategy is a collection of legal documents with sterile discussions of trusts and property distributions. It need not be that way. Your estate planning and your legacy can be enhanced by adding to your plan documents that are more personalized and speak directly to your loved ones. Certainly […]
Avoiding Penalties on Your IRA Investments
Alternative investments are growing in popularity. These include precious metals, real estate, and small businesses. Owning these through IRAs or other qualified retirement accounts could be a good financial move, or it could lead to trouble. Make this move without the right advice and you could fall into one of the many traps in the […]
