Debt Optimization Strategies As part of improving your financial situation, you might consider reducing your debt load. A number of strategies can be used to pay off debt. However, before starting any debt payoff strategy (or combination of strategies), be sure you understand the terms of your debts, including interest rates, terms of payment, and [...]
Clearing Financial Hurdles on the Road to Retirement When friends and loved ones finally raise their glasses to bid you a long and healthy retirement, you do not want to be worrying about how your bills will get paid. That is why it is so important to participate in your company's retirement plan now. On [...]
Can You Afford Early Retirement? Early retirement is a phrase many Americans wish they could turn into a reality. While retiring in your 50s or early 60s sounds enticing, it typically requires years of planning to make sure you've accumulated enough retirement assets to last for 20 or 30 years or more. It's important to [...]
Nearing Retirement? Time to Get Focused If you're within 10 years of retirement, you've probably spent some time thinking about this major life change. The transition to retirement can seem a bit daunting, even overwhelming. If you find yourself wondering where to begin, the following points may help you focus. Reassess your living expenses A [...]
Social Security: What’s Changing in 2016? Whether you will soon be applying for Social Security, or are already receiving benefits, here’s what you need to know about what’s changing (and not changing) in 2016. What’s Not Changing No Cost-of-Living Increase: Because inflation was unchanged from the third quarter 2014 to the third quarter 2015, there [...]
Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy One of the most well-known investors of the 20th Century, Benjamin Graham, said that “the investor’s chief problem—and even his worst enemy—is likely to be himself.”¹ What Graham understood—and modern research is catching up to—is the idea that we all have emotions and biases that affect our decision-making. The [...]
Catch-Up Contributions A recent survey found that 37% of people were very confident about having enough money to live comfortably through their retirement years. At the same time, 28% were not confident.¹ Congress in 2001 passed a law that can help older workers make up for lost time. But few may understand how this generous [...]
Social Security: Five Facts You Need to Know Social Security can be complicated and, as a result, many individuals don’t have a full understanding of the choices they may have. Here are five facts about Social Security that are important to keep in mind: 1. Social Security Is a Critical Source of Retirement Income Some [...]
Saving for Retirement Although most of us recognize the importance of sound retirement planning, few of us embrace the nitty-gritty work involved. With thousands of investment possibilities, complex rules governing retirement plans, and so on, most people don't even know where to begin. Here are some suggestions to help you get started. Determine your Retirement [...]
Does Your Portfolio Fit Your Retirement Lifestyle? Most portfolios are constructed based on an individual's investment objective, risk tolerance and time horizon. Using these inputs and sophisticated portfolio-optimization calculations, most investors can feel confident that they own a well-diversified portfolio, appropriately positioned to pursue their long-term goals.¹ However, as a retiree, how you choose to [...]
