This Critical Part Of Retirement Takes Years Of Planning & Investment, And It’s Not Money

My Comments: Most articles about retirement focus on money. Or how to avoid not having any. For millions of Americans, that’s the number one fear as the years roll by. What’s described here is both tragic in one sense and perhaps avoidable in another. And for each, there’s an underlying message to be learned by …

Continue reading This Critical Part Of Retirement Takes Years Of Planning & Investment, And It’s Not Money

The Average Cost of Healthcare in 21 Different Countries

My Comments: We claim to be a rich and sophisticated country. We agree we have exceptional health care, just that it costs a lot of money. We also like to think our life expectancy reflects our sophistication when it come to health care. I’ve written before that there are five principal stakeholders in our health …

Continue reading The Average Cost of Healthcare in 21 Different Countries

Should We Retire ‘Retirement’?

My Comments: Until recently, I always envisioned retirement as a date in time when I left the work force and became ‘retired’. That probably meant that I was no longer working for money and instead using whatever credits or savings I’d accumulated to pay my bills. Only for many of us, it hasn’t worked out …

Continue reading Should We Retire ‘Retirement’?

A tragedy is unfolding in the stock market that should worry both bulls and bears

My Comments: A tragedy for whom, you might ask. I interpret this to mean everyone with money invested who cannot afford to lose a bunch of it. And especially those no longer working, whose ability to survive financially is dependent on money invested in retirement accounts. Yes, I know, I’ve been telling this tale now …

Continue reading A tragedy is unfolding in the stock market that should worry both bulls and bears

Useful Social Security Facts

By Tony Kendzior, CLU, ChFC These facts about Social Security are intended as general information for those planning to file for Social Security benefits. The idea is to help you get what you are entitled to and not leave dollars behind that can’t be recovered. You should seek guidance from the Social Security Administration (SSA) …

Continue reading Useful Social Security Facts

Beneficiary Designations: 5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid

My Comments: First, a disclaimer: I’m not an attorney. Second, in my 43 years as a financial planner and investment advisor, I’ve run across more than a few beneficiary mistakes that have been problematical. With all of us having a finite time on this earth, the issue of what happens to our stuff when we …

Continue reading Beneficiary Designations: 5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid

Forget millennials — the real financial time bomb in America is Gen X

My Comments: Which generation are you from? I’m in front of the baby boomers, of whom there are many millions. They surfaced following World War II. And fueled the growth of America and it’s influence across the world. The millennials are essentially the baby boomers grandkids. That leaves Gen X as the children of the …

Continue reading Forget millennials — the real financial time bomb in America is Gen X

Another financial crisis is coming, and thanks to Donald Trump, we may not be able to solve it

My Comments: David Brown says current conditions resemble those of 2007-08, but a wave of populist nationalism spearheaded by the US president is undermining global institutions that ended the Great Recession. Will you be ready for another Great Depression? I've long argued we are years away from the next iteration of the Great Depression of …

Continue reading Another financial crisis is coming, and thanks to Donald Trump, we may not be able to solve it

Retirement living: 28% of seniors say it’s worse than expected

My Comments: Let me disclose upfront that some of my income today results from people signing up and taking courses from Successful Retirement Secrets, an online school I created to help people retire. The message from this post by Katie Brockman (some 18 months ago) is that most of those who say they are unhappy …

Continue reading Retirement living: 28% of seniors say it’s worse than expected

Should high schools be required to teach financial literacy?

My Comments: Those of us with years under our belt know how confusing issues about money become. Without a working knowledge of how it works, we become quick victims of those willing to reach into our pockets and help themselves to our money. But, you say, it’s the American way. Some argue vehemently to limit …

Continue reading Should high schools be required to teach financial literacy?