When it comes to the top three reasons that retirement withdrawal strategies fail, the author of today’s article sees them as (1) sequence of return risk, (2) sequence of return risk and (3) sequence of return risk. How might sequence of return risk be a greater problem for retirement withdrawal strategies than even low average returns, how can you “get…
Half a percentage point. That is what one assessment suggests to expect return-wise from a balanced U.S. stock and bond portfolio over the next 10 years (before fees and taxes!). So what would the effects of an era of “persistently low returns” be on retirement strategizing? Today’s article examines the implications for 401(k)s, annuities, Social Security, medical care, alternative investments…
How do you calculate how much income you will need in retirement (and how much you need to save for retirement given that figure)? What kind of retirement account is right for you? What makes a good 401(k) plan (and how can you make the most of your 401(k) plan)? What about fees, asset allocation, and retirement income streams? And…
As the House of Representatives prepares to change hands in the new year, both the outgoing Republican chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and the presumed incoming Democratic chairman of the committee are proposing changes to retirement regulations – including changes pertaining to the risk of retirees outliving their savings. For more on these potential changes, how they could…
How should you invest your retirement accounts? With IRAs holding about $9 trillion and 401(k)s holding about $5 trillion, that is the critical question that today’s article tackles. In seeking to answer it, the author highlights the importance of intrinsic stock value, reinvested dividends (and tax deferral), diversification – and Warren Buffett. For more on investing your retirement accounts, CLICK…
Contributing to tax-deferred retirement accounts is an attractive option for building your nest egg. However, the author of today’s article cautions that “While contributing to your 401(k) account can be beneficial, exceeding the statutory limit could cost you a lot.” In order to ensure that your contributions are all above-board, the author proceeds to outline the rules pertaining to contributing…
When it comes to 401(k)s and IRAs, the author of today’s article argues that “Gambling away your retirement funds in a government-sponsored game of chance is a game you have little hope of winning.” Instead, he asserts that if you want to retire for real (and early), the key is attaining financial freedom – which requires focusing on cash flow…
The author of today’s article is no fan of 401(k) plans, asserting that they don’t work. On the other hand, traditional pensions are largely obsolete. However, he notes that “There is one widely overlooked option that combines the best of the two retirement savings plans.” That option? Cash-balance plans, which are hybrids of traditional defined-benefit pensions plans and 401(k)s –…
What does it take to have accumulated $1 million by retirement age (65)? The author of today’s article outlines how this seemingly Herculean task is “actually much easier–especially if you start saving early–to let your investments do as much heavy lifting as possible.” How can you have $1 million saved by age 65 – and is $1 million even an…
Americans on the whole are not contributing enough to their 401(k)s to fund retirements that will not require a reduction in their standard of living. As such, the author of today’s article looks at “how you can meaningfully begin saving more today for your retirement”. For his insights – including what he identifies as “the simplest and most effective way…