The Latest Update on the Fiduciary Rule
While you have been watching the recent volatility in the stock market or the latest political drama unfolding in Washington, you may have missed the latest news on the Department of Labor fiduciary rule that we have been periodically writing about for several years. On March 15, the fifth U.S.
Some Perspective on Market Volatility
Before the brief ten percent market correction that began on January 26th and ended on February 8th, domestic equity (stock) markets enjoyed the longest period of market calm in history. Prior to the recent period of volatility, the S&P 500 had not retreated by 3% over one day or several
How Does the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Affect Your Financial Plan?
Next year will mark the 30-year anniversary of one of the most popular movies from the ’90s, Forrest Gump. Of all the memorable moments in that movie, one phrase seems to be quoted most often: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.”
Should You Bite on Bitcoin?
No matter where I went over the holidays it seems there were three subjects everyone wanted to discuss. Whether it was a formal holiday party, or an informal gathering of old friends, discussions centered around 1) The new tax plan and what it would or wouldn’t do for the economy,
The Year in Review: 2017
Heading into the year, 2017 was viewed by many investors with a great deal of trepidation and concern. Political turmoil in the US, uncertainty in the global economy, rising tensions in the middle east, strained relations with North Korea, and an eight year-old domestic bull market gave many investors pause
Lessons from Newton’s South Sea Bubble Disaster
If I were to postulate that Sir Isaac Newton (1642 – 1727) was one of the most brilliant minds the human race has ever seen, I would have ample evidence to support my position. The English physicist and mathematician is legendary in his contributions to the advancement of mankind. Newton
2018 Adjustments to Social Security and Medicare Announced
While we continue to wait for Congress to act on tax reform, two pieces of next year’s financial planning puzzle have recently been revealed for retirees. In October, the Social Security Administration announced that 61 million Americans will receive a 2.0% increase in their monthly Social Security benefits beginning in
Which Illusion Do You Suffer From: Wealth or Poverty?
Think quickly, would you rather have a $1 million retirement nest egg or $5,000 in monthly income to spend during retirement? Your answer could tell you whether you possess an ‘illusion of poverty’ or an ‘illusion of wealth’ according to recent research published in the Journal of Marketing Research. In their
Health-Care Costs Rise Again
Health-care costs for retirees are on the rise again, a new study from Fidelity Investments reports. According to the Fidelity study released in August, a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2017 will need $275,000 to cover health-care costs during their retirement years. This cost is 6% higher than it was in
Another Potential Delay in the Fiduciary Rule
It is starting to sound like a broken record: the future of the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule is once again in question. Shortly after the first phase of the regulation went into effect on June 9th, the Department of Labor (DOL) submitted a proposal that would delay the full
Where You Retire Matters
The old adage of “Location, Location, Location” applies to more than just real estate apparently. According to a report from GOBankingRates and a recent article from Bloomberg News, location can have a big impact on your retirement. More specifically, where you live has a big impact on the health of
Mutual Funds: Do You Really Get What You Pay For?
We have all heard the old adage “You get what you pay for” at one point or another in our lives. We understand the adage to generally mean that inexpensive items and services tend to be inferior, or of lower quality, than more expensive items or services. We understand that