President’s Budget Proposal Contains Some Game-Changing Provisions
In early February President Obama submitted his annual budget request to Congress. Congress will then consider the President’s requests when developing its own budget resolution. As he has done in years past, the President has included some provisions in his budget proposal that could significantly change some retirement strategies and
What Does January’s Volatility Mean for Markets?
It is safe to say that we have all benefited from well-functioning capital markets throughout our lifetime. Efficient capital markets have produced technological and medical advances that have made our lives easier, more enjoyable, and longer. Efficient markets also facilitate wealth creation and allow us to have higher standards of
The Federal Reserve Finally Raises Interest Rates
As if the excitement of the impending Christmas and holiday season wasn’t enough, two of the most anticipated events of 2015 occurred last week. The long-awaited seventh installment of the Star Wars franchise, The Force Awakens, was released in theaters on December 17th. As expected, the film shattered all opening
Social Security Changes Will Limit Future Planning Options
A few days before Halloween, Congress managed to slip a couple of ‘tricks’ into the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 that impact many soon-to-be retirees and their retirement plans. On October 28th, the House of Representatives approved a bill that could cost retirees tens of thousands of dollars in benefits
Last Minute Financial Planning Tips for 2015
2015 is quickly drawing to an end, and before we know it the holiday season will be in high gear! Before you get caught up in all of the holiday celebrations and last minute shopping that goes along with the season, let us look at five steps you can take
Should Investors Sell After a Correction?
Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA), the mutual fund complex we place most of our clients’ assets with, employs quite a variety of professionals on its staff. As you would imagine, many of the people who work for DFA are quantitatively oriented with degrees in finance. On the opposite end of the
Lump-Sum Pension Buyout Offers Likely to Increase in the Future
The term “perfect storm” is often used to describe a rare confluence of circumstances that produce an event of unusual magnitude, particularly as it relates to weather. Many of you may have seen the 2000 film, The Perfect Storm, starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Diane Lane which retells the
Retirement University™ Fall 2015 Schedule
School is back in session everywhere across the US, and that means it is time once again for Retirement University™. This fall we are offering six evening sessions covering a wide variety of informational topics you need to know to make the smartest decisions for your retirement. Attend all six
What are the Odds?
How many times in your life has something unusual happened where you stopped and asked yourself, “What are the odds of that happening?” Maybe this summer you heard about a Canadian man named Pete McCathie. Pete has experienced three very rare occurrences in his lifetime: being struck by lightning, his
Social Security COLA Increase Unlikely for 2016
On August 14, 1935 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the 37 page Social Security Act into law, ushering in a new concept of retirement for millions of Americans. But even as the Social Security program celebrates its 80th birthday, retirees will likely be receiving a nasty surprise this year. The
How Does the Crisis in Greece Affect My Financial Plan?
The turmoil in Greece has been dominating the news for much of the past two weeks, and we are aware that some clients are concerned about the impact of that situation on their investment portfolios. So we want to explain the situation in Greece and alleviate some fear and concern
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
It seems like every year I end up having three or four discussions with various people about the merits of paying off your mortgage early. It can be a relative, a client or even a casual acquaintance who will ask my opinion during the course of the conversation on their