My Comments: One thing I’ve learned over the years is that people in my profession have a profound bias when it comes to trying to explain the dynamics of money. We include a lot of self promotion. I’ve also learned that I’m not immune to this bias. Some of this is justified since probably 95% …
Continue reading 3 Essentials Missing From Many Retirement Plans
• It’s too expensive • My attorney takes care of that • Planners just want to sell me something • Too complicated • It may jeopardize my own financial security • My children want me to spend it all • Leaving too much to my children can make them unmotivated • My children are financially …
My Comments: This article appeared as An emergency checklist for advisors and clients: essential legal and financial documents. It caught my eye since lists are always useful when it comes to writing a blog post that someone might read. After all, I read this one. More than that, however, is the fact that getting older …
Continue reading Essential Legal and Financial Documents to Have
My Comments: I’ve argued vigorously over these past few years in favor of the PPACA, what all of us know as ObamaCare. Without it we would be at the mercy of the drug industry, hospitals and the insurance industry. Of the five primary stakeholders in the health care debate, any two of those three could …
Continue reading Obamacare Helps Add Life to Medicare as Shortfall Delayed
My Comments: You have read my posts before where I talk about income inequality (the HAVES vs. the HAVE NOTS) and how if left unchecked, could result in social chaos in this country. Probably not in my lifetime, but definitely affecting the lives of my grandchildren. It’s an issue that demands discussion among ourselves and …
Continue reading The Typical Household, Now Worth a Third Less
My Comments: Earlier this week I introduced the idea of a QLAC. If you didn’t see it, click on the link and check it out. Some of you are going to want to use this contract as soon as it becomes available this fall. Others are going to think about how your investment mix will …
Continue reading New Longevity Annuity Rules: 5 Things to Know
My Comments: When I talk with prospective clients and those already clients, I talk about existential risk. These are risks that may or may not happen, depending on any number of variables. One of them is inflation since it reduces the purchasing power of your dollars over time. Another existential risk is the financial burden …
My Comments: QLAC? What the heck is a QLAC? By Jeffrey Levine / July 18, 2014 On July 1, 2014 the Treasury Department released the long-awaited final regulations for Qualifying Longevity Annuity Contracts (QLACs). These new annuities will offer advisors a unique tool to help clients avoid outliving their money. The QLAC rules, however, are …
My Comments: You may not agree with me but Social Security is a complicated issue. If you hope to find a quick and easy summary of what is implied by the title, you'll be disappointed. My assumption is that if you haven’t yet applied for Social Security benefits, that day will come, and statistics tell …
Continue reading What You Don’t Know About Social Security—but Should
My Comments: I’m involved in a philosophical conflict these days between those on one side who believe there is a universal truth that says investment skill trumps traditional permanent life insurance every time. On the other side is someone who believes permanent life insurance trumps traditional investment methodologies. They argue vehemently that permanent life insurance …
Helping Define Your Financial Future 