Even without congressional action, the retirement system won’t go broke for decades, so why all the fuss? It’s all about scaring voters. By David Morris, Senior Political Editor, The Kiplinger Letter That’s right. The sky is not falling. It’s not, as retiring rockers R.E.M. would put it, “the end of the world as we know …
Continue reading The Mythical Social Security Crisis of 2011
Lin Yifu, a chief economist with the World Bank, says maybe. Many financial advisors, working to help their clients accumulate enough money for retirement, are painfully aware of the investment risk associated with the “lost decade” that Japan suffered through recently. The sagging economies of the developed world still account for 60% of the combined …
Every now and then I come across something that helps makes sense of the world around me when all the pieces seem disconnected. These are things over which I have absolutely no control, yet all play a role in our lives. In my case as an investment advisor, they influence my clients financial success, and …
Continue reading U.S. Foreign Policy and Electoral Realities
Eight drastic policy measures necessary to prevent global economic collapse. None of them will be popular. By Nouriel Roubini Posted Monday, Sept. 19, 2011 The latest economic data suggest that recession is returning to most advanced economies, with financial markets now reaching levels of stress unseen since the collapse of Lehman Bros. in 2008. The …
The decision on when to begin taking Social Security benefits is a complex one. The following discusses three strategies clients can consider in an effort to maximize the amount of benefits they receive. 1. Changing your mind Many people think that once they elect to receive Social Security benefits, the decision is an irrevocable one. …
The focus of this post is suggest a couple of ways to minimize the stress associated with money and retirement. I want you to think about how age can change your pre-conceived notions about retirement. Some of you have heard me describe the three stages of life: The first is when we are young and …
I’ve recently realized that for the past several years as an investment advisor, I’ve been doing my best to force square pegs into round holes. And it hasn’t worked very well. You’d think with all my experience, it would have become obvious much sooner, but apart from being uncomfortable, I had no clear understanding until …
not what the pretend politicians are telling us. Financial Times article by Martin Wolf What is to be done? To find an answer, listen to the markets. They are saying: borrow and spend, please. Yet those who profess faith in the magic of the markets are most determined to ignore the cry. The fiscal skies …
Continue reading We must listen to what bond markets are telling us,
Here is your Weekly Insights update from Curian’s Asset Management Group. This informative capital market update is designed to help you stay informed about important developments in economics, the markets, and … CONTINUE
The idea behind this post came from Bob Veres whose thoughts and writings appear from time to time in the magazines and journals that I follow regularly. This has been an up-and-down summer and there are lots of thoughts to share. 1. Emotions rule asset prices and any effort to invest rationally is doomed from …
Helping Define Your Financial Future 