My Comments: There are good annuities and there are bad annuities. Most of the bad ones have been created and aggressively sold by insurance companies whose sole objective is to generate revenue for the company and their agents. The study results described below tell us why they have been successful. It’s not easy to find …
Continue reading Annuities are key to American retirement. So why are so few Americans buying them?
My Comments: For many, getting serious about retirement doesn’t happen until someone reaches their 50’s. There’s too much other stuff going on. But sooner rather than later, you have to make sure you’ll have enough money to sustain yourself for the next 30+ years. This is critical if you don’t want to find yourself climbing …
Continue reading 8 Proven Investment Options to Safeguard and Grow Your Retirement Money
My Comments: I’ve taught Social Security workshops over the years and both my wife and I signed up for benefits. I think I know a little about this issue but this question inevitably resurfaces. And it’s become more problematical since there’s discussion now about changing the age criteria. This is largely because so many of …
Continue reading When Should You Start Social Security Benefits? It Depends
My Comments: As a financial planner for the past five decades, I’ve seen my share of success and of failure. These days, too many folks have money worries that are very uncomfortable. It’s largely because while you’re young and working, it’s hard to conceive the day will come when your income stops or dramatically slows …
Continue reading Four Unseen Icebergs That Could Sink Your Retirement Plan
My Comments: These words appeared some time ago but are still very relevant to those of you expecting to retire at some point. Yes, it’s difficult to think about, but if you remain alive and well, retirement will arrive and having a developed framework in place will help you enjoy your retirement. As someone who …
Continue reading 5 Commonly Held Beliefs About Retirement That Are Simply Wrong
My Comments: Some of this seems counter intuitive but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked with people who have retired and seem unable to enjoy their lives. The six signs described below need to be focal points for most people when reaching age 60. By that time you probably know that at …
Continue reading 6 Key Signs You Will Be Able To Enjoy a Middle-Class Retirement
My Comments: This comes from a publication called The Motley Fool that I follow. This article describes averages that may or may not apply to you. But the framework is real and if retirement is in your future, there may be thoughts here that resonate with you, especially if you are 20-25 years away from …
Continue reading The Most Important Retirement Table You’ll Ever See
My Comments: Like the author’s first words below, I’ve spent my career looking for ways to help clients grow and maintain their financial lives. Many of them are living much longer than they expected to. I’ve lived far longer than my father, despite our having similar health issues, and I expect to be around for …
Continue reading How a Fixed Index Annuity Can Manage Retirement Income Risks
My Comments: We’re living longer, too many of us have limited financial skills, the level of pervasive uncertainty about the survival of our democracy and what it will look like in a few years, all add up to stress which is not a healthy outcome for any of us. Whether you have enough money to …
Continue reading 11 Signs You Will Be Able To Live Off Your Retirement Nest Egg
My Comments: Over recent months, I’ve received negative comments from readers suggesting I don't know what I’m talking about when it comes to investing money. One recent comment suggested I clearly had no clue what I was talking about; the comment was just buy and hold with no attempts to time the markets. However, that …
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