In the current low-rate environment, “generating steady retirement income has never been harder,” declares the author of today’s article. Moreover, the author cautions that yields could just as likely go lower from here as higher. As such, he proceeds to discuss “eight popular sources of retirement income, ranging from dividend stocks to bonds to real estate to annuities, what current…
New rules are coming into effect this month that the author of today’s article states “will fundamentally change the way money market funds operate.” In light of these new rules – which are aimed at preventing runs on money market funds as happened in the 2008 financial crisis – the author looks at the case for investors moving their cash…
While the Department of Health and Human Services estimates that almost 70% of those turning 65 today will require long-term care at some point (and 20% will require it for longer than five years), today’s article acknowledges that – shocked by the prices – too many are choosing to forego this insurance. As such, today’s article outlines five “insider tips…
The author of today’s article divides the 10,000 baby boomers that are turning 65 each day into two groups: those that will depend on Social Security as a major source of income in retirement and those that have more savings and will therefore be less reliant on Social Security. To those in the latter group, however, she cautions that “it’s…
While many investors will not begin to think about taxes for several more months, today’s article argues that “anytime is a good time for tax planning” and that this time in particular – the fourth quarter of the year – is a particularly good time for this, stating that “planning before the end of the year increases the number of…
While alternative investments have the potential to both reduce a portfolio’s risk and boost its returns, the key word here, as today’s article emphasizes, is can: “If done poorly, alternative investments can just as easily take a wrecking ball to a portfolio and destroy years’ worth of gains.” Specifically, the author outlines the real-life example of the Dallas Police &…
With their low default risk, high dividend yields – with some paying yields above 6% – and ability to provide most Americans with tax-free income, the author of today’s article describes municipal bonds as having “the retirement income trifecta.” Recognizing that it can be difficult to buy quality individual municipal bonds, the author recommends seeking out the kinds of municipal…
Today’s article notes that – when it comes to the graying of America’s population – “one great way to capitalize on this trend is through healthcare, or, more specifically, the growing need for healthcare facilities – already a trillion-dollar market.” As such, the article provides an overview of the “big three” healthcare real estate investment trusts – Welltower, HCP and…
While inflation may currently be low, the author of today’s article warns that “this makes the possibility of an inflation threat going forward even more likely.” Moreover, she notes that health care costs are rising faster than inflation. All of this poses a particular threat to retirees relying on sources of income that lack inflation protection. As such, the author…
Today’s article notes that, in 2013, Social Security benefits made up 52% of household income for those aged 65 and over, and at least 90% of household income for almost a quarter of older retirees. These statistics make the findings of a new study by the Government Accountability Office all the more concerning: The GAO has determined that “Americans getting…