The post-election “Trump rally” has been very good to investors. But, as today’s article notes, “retirees…have a vested interest in making sure their newly plumped-up nest eggs remain intact.” So, should retirees head for the exits in anticipation of a pullback, or would doing so likely cause them to miss out on further gains next year? The author looks at…
When it comes to whether personal finances or portfolio management is more important, the author of today’s article is firmly in the personal finances camp. As such, he lays out a list of 20 personal finance rules, or “20 simple ways you can be smarter about your money.” Among these rules, why does he state that your goal should not…
New Year’s resolutions are made to be broken (today’s article notes that only 8% of people actually follow through on their resolutions). But breaking some resolutions has greater consequences than breaking others. When it comes to resolutions pertaining to retirement goals, procrastination can have serious ramifications. As such, the author of today’s article outlines “some steps to set the right…
When it comes to a year-end bonus (or any newfound cash for that matter) you undoubtedly have a number of ideas for what you would like to do with it. But what should you do with it? Today’s article lays out five responsible options for what to do with such funds. First and foremost? Replenishing (or establishing) your emergency fund.…
Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) have been growing in importance on household balance sheets, and the author of today’s article notes that this is likely to continue as more and more Boomers roll over their 401(k) assets to IRAs as they retire, and as more people become aware that “some IRAs let you hold just about any kind of asset inside…
While the author of today’s article does not expect that the next bear market will be as painful as the last, he notes that those approaching or already in retirement still “need to keep a sharp eye on risk.” As such, he proceeds to highlight what he believes are the best stock funds for 2017 for retirees. Specifically, these are…
When it comes to determining when to start claiming Social Security, the author of today’s article notes that “few decisions are as financially consequential…or as hard.” As such, he attempts to provide some Social Security claiming guidance based on the findings of some new studies. Why does one new study conclude that postponing claiming Social Security may be even more…
“Over the next several decades, baby boomers – the wealthiest and one-time largest generation in U.S. history – will pass down an estimated $30 trillion in assets to their children and grandchildren,” notes the author of today’s article which looks at the considerations this so-called “great wealth transfer” creates for boomers, their heirs and the financial industry itself. The first…
Based on the findings of a recent analysis conducted by human resources consultancy firm Aon Hewitt, half of 401(k) investors using target-date funds may be using them wrong. What exactly are people getting wrong when it comes to target-date funds? They “spread their dollars across other investments available to them in their plans” rather than using the target-date fund –…
“We think this is a policy shift of enormous magnitude. If Reagan was a Richter 8, this is a Richter 9.” This is how one financial planner cited in today’s article sizes up the tax changes that will come under President Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress. While the general advice is to defer income and accelerate deductions, what specific moves…