Traditional corporate pensions have largely fallen by the wayside in recent decades – but there is a way that investors in particular situations can still get a pension-like benefit in retirement: personal defined-benefit plans. The author of today’s article notes that, while few investors are even aware they exist, “they very much do, though now it’s up to us to…
Leverage and retirement don’t conventionally go together – but a new exchange-traded fund targeting retirees who require more income than they can get from a typical 60-40 stock-bond portfolio is looking to include a leverage component in an effort to provide investors with superior returns. As today’s article outlines, “this fund takes those vanilla investments, adds a dollop of exposure…
The stock market is rising, tax rates are falling, and the final GOP tax reform bill didn’t make dramatic changes to 401(k) contributions. All of this would seem to be good news for retirees and retirement savers. However, today’s article outlines a number of things that retirees and those approaching retirement may be wise to keep an eye on this…
“There will never be a better time than now,” declares one tax attorney cited in today’s article in regards to converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. And many financial planners are expressing the same sentiment. Why? The GOP tax bill reduced most rates, and converting now allows individuals to pay taxes on retirement savings at a lower rate…
It can have a dramatic impact on your retirement – and, unfortunately, it is largely out of your control. We’re talking about the market’s sequence of returns leading up to – and throughout – your golden years. The author of today’s article illustrates the impact that differing sequence of returns can have on the equity portion of one’s portfolio and,…
If you’re planning on retiring this year – or in the next few years – the author of today’s article warns that there are some “potentially market changing events” that could throw a wrench into those plans – and he proceeds to detail three to be cognizant of. The first could come as early as April, the second involves a…
The common belief about retirement assets is that they are systematically drawn down by retirees over the course of their retirement. However, it turns out that this may not actually be the case. Today’s article highlights a surprising research finding: most current retirees, across all wealth levels, have been holding onto the bulk of their retirement savings, even 20 years…
In today’s article the author reveals his best dividend stock picks for retirement income this year. The theme of this year’s picks is “Opposites Attract”, which he notes “implies that this collection of stocks might not have a lot in common with each other, but are in a good position to attract both growth and income for your retirement portfolio.”…
In 2013 the author of today’s article made a move that was considered irresponsible at the time and added bitcoin to the alternative investment portion of his retirement account. He then proceeded to lose half of his investment in an ensuing price drop – and called “stupid” for this investment blunder. However, he held onto his position in bitcoin and…
The importance of diversification in financial planning is constantly emphasized – and generally accepted. However, the author of today’s article notes that “when you look at those who achieve the greatest wealth or have the greatest impact, virtually none of them ever diversify…or at least, not throughout most of their years.” He proceeds to examine how different diversification strategies –…