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…
The findings of a recent study suggest that “retirees tend to reduce spending once they realize they are unprepared for how quickly expenses add up.” However, the study also found that certain subsets of retirees – such as retirees with pensions – spend considerably more than average, which the author of today’s article points to as reflecting “the power of…
The problem with investing and saving for retirement, according to the author of today’s article? “People are “psychologically ill-equipped” to invest in risk assets, even if they need to do so. They also don’t save very much for retirement, possibly because they don’t think they need to yet or because they can’t afford it.” This is where behavioral finance can…
When it comes to utility stocks, the author of today’s article notes that “Retirees have been favoring these stocks for years…and they have been handsomely rewarded.” But is it time for retirees to adjust their stance on utility stocks and look elsewhere for income? That’s the recommendation of the man behind a top-ranking newsletter. Why? And, if not utilities, which…
Are you better off retiring in a bull market or a bear market? For those who have the option of retiring now while the good times are still here or waiting until things go south, this is an especially salient question. In today’s article, the author runs the numbers on retiring during a raging bull market versus retiring in a…
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…
What are the biggest sources of financial regret among Americans who have retired or are nearing retirement? A recent study examined just that – and today’s article outlines its findings. More specifically, the author highlights ten “retirement killers” the study identified “that might not be so obvious in advance.” For these ten retirement killers – “and the probability that each…
To annuitize or not to annuitize: that is the question that the author of today’s article tackles – and a question that he notes “nearly all retirees and soon-to-be-retirees face at one time or another.” Do annuities have a place in your retirement portfolio? Is there a better alternative when it comes to having a stream of income that is…
What happens if you have the bad luck to retire at a market peak, right before a brutal bear market (a scenario that many approaching retirement right now may be especially concerned about)? The author of today’s article runs the numbers to determine what effect this has on a portfolio’s value over the course of a retirement – and his…
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…