While some argue it’s not enough – and others argue it’s needlessly high – the figure of $1 million is frequently cited as the amount to strive for when it comes to retirement savings. And with the average 401(k) and IRA accounts having balances of around $100,000, today’s article lays out scenarios to get from this starting point to $1…
The long-awaited Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act has been passed by Congress and signed by President Trump – and several of its many provisions affecting 401(k)s, IRAs, annuities and more take effect as soon as 2020 begins. So what are the new rules of retirement saving? Today’s article outlines some of the most important provisions of…
The good news? Over the past decade, the outset of which coincided with the beginning of the recovery from the Great Recession, Americans’ odds of a successful retirement have improved significantly. The bad news? This applies almost exclusively to affluent Americans, whereas most Americans’ retirement prospects are no better than they were at the beginning of the decade – or…
What makes the stock highlighted in today’s article “one of the best stocks for retirees and dividend investors”? Among other things, 36 consecutive years of dividend growth (including a recently announced 2% dividend increase), rewarding investors with big cash returns through share buybacks (including a recently announced $4 billion share buyback), and capital appreciation thanks to steady share price growth.…
As you wrap up presents this holiday season, you might also want to consider wrapping up some financial loose ends. Such as? Today’s article outlines some year-end financial housekeeping tasks to consider, whether you’re retired or aim to be retired someday. For more – including “a tax strategy for diversifying big positions” – CLICK HERE.
It’s “the cornerstone of retirement planning” – yet in a recent study, 92% of the American adults surveyed either demonstrated a lack of understanding of it or couldn’t even define what it was! What is this retirement-planning cornerstone? Fixed-income investing – and one portfolio manager cited in today’s article warns that “The lack of knowledge about fixed-income investing is a…
Inflation may not seem like much of a concern right now, but the author of today’s article points out that periods in which inflation has been significantly higher than average have typically arrived without any advance warning. Given this, and considering the fact that, as he notes, “even average rates of inflation can take a large toll”, it’s worthwhile to…
“Here’s a sobering thought: Much—and perhaps most—of the money you’ll accumulate for retirement will reflect the raw dollars you sock away and not the investment returns you earn,” begins the author of today’s article, who proceeds to outline some examples to illustrate this fact, as well as examine its implications. For more – including the “perverse conclusion” this leads the…
When it comes to the ultimate size of your retirement nest egg, the author of today’s article notes that “Calculating future savings requires numerous factors, including current age and predicted retirement age, any current assets, how the portfolio is invested and at what rate a person can realistically expect that money to grow.” And it’s this latter factor – the…
There’s a consensus that Americans are not saving enough for retirement. But what are the obstacles – including the mental obstacles – that are preventing them from doing so? What can they do to save more for retirement (including those who are close to retirement but haven’t saved enough)? What’s the “wrong picture” many may have of the FIRE (Financial…