My Comments: Those of us old enough to be taking SSA benefits have experienced minimal increases in the last few years. That’s because the ‘official’ numbers for inflation have been low. There is an argument they should be even lower as a way to keep the so-called SSA reserves from going to empty. In my …
Continue reading Social Security Cost-of-living Adjustments Projected to Increase Slightly in 2015
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: Once again, the question of a market crash raises its ugly head. And once again, no one has a clue when it will happen. And once again, as I tell my clients and prospective clients, it really doesn’t matter if you have your money where it can grow regardless of when and how …
Continue reading Stocks Will Rise And The 3 Trades You Can’t Make
My Comments: These might seem like a no brainer. The financial media is awash with articles talking about how Americans simply don’t have enough money to retire. In the larger perspective, this, if true, is going to put enormous pressure on the government to subsidize the living cost of those who run out of money. …
Continue reading 6 Strategies to Reduce Your Need for Money When You Retire
My original idea was to post these every week or so. (That didn't work out too well! ) Many people like to make their own investment decisions and this recap is a great way to gain insight into what is going on globally. This weekly broadcast from J. P. Morgan will give you some insights …
Continue reading J.P. Morgan Weekly Market Recap – July 21, 2014
My Comments: If you are unsure what is meant by the headline above, you are not alone. However, a reading of the comments that appeared in the Financial Times tends to reinforce in my mind the discomfort all of us should feel about the US Government agency known as NSA or the National Security Agency …
Continue reading Washington’s Hawks Have Usurped the Huntsmen
My Comments: Not too many years ago, the idea of stability in the markets was divine. Now, not so much. That’s partly because with new technology and tactical opportunities from Guggenheim Partners, volatility increases your chance to outperform and watch your accounts grow. Of course, it also increases your chance to lose money if you …
My Comments: There are those in the financial services industry that do not have to be accountable for what they say and do with respect to clients and their best interest. They claim to, but if push comes to shove, it’s buyer beware. Of course, with today’s instant media, if you are on the wrong …
Continue reading ‘Trust me, I am a financial adviser’ is Not Good Enough
My Comments: I’ve now reduced retirement years to three types of years. They are “go-go”, “slow-go” and “no-go”. Planning for them before you reach retirement is a matter of attempting to get as many $ in the pot as possbile. After that, it’s a timing issue that is driven by health, the expected life style, …
Continue reading 3 Retirement Planning Essentials to Understand
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