Social Security: File and suspend
In honor of the 77th anniversary of Social Security, last week I covered the basic variables that go into any decision on when to claim benefits. This week, I'll cover...
All Stories
Social Security: File and suspend
In honor of the 77th anniversary of Social Security, last week I covered the basic variables that go into any decision on when to claim benefits. This week, I'll cover...
When to take Social Security benefits
The Social Security Act became law 77 years ago this August. All these years later, the number one question that I field about Social Security (SS) is: "When should I...
Lessons learned: US downgrade one year later
A year ago, investors got a jolt. Over the course of one week, the debt ceiling agreement in Congress went to the brink, and within days, Standard & Poor's downgraded...
The F(iduciary)-word
One of the many provisions of the July 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was the creation of the first new federal regulatory agency in a decade,...
The pros and cons of annuities
Last week we covered the basics of annuities. This week we address specifically the pros and cons of these tax-deferred retirement savings vehicles. Immediate annuities Guaranteed income for life is...
The ABCs of Annuities
Guaranteed income for life, especially in the aftermath of a deep recession and financial crisis, sounds wonderful. That must be why insurance companies are ramping up their marketing of annuities....
You can’t beat the market, so stop trying
I have been fielding a lot of questions lately about purchasing individual stocks in retirement accounts. While the allure of finding the "next big company" can be compelling, how many...
For my father on Father’s Day
This Father's Day weekend, it's time to honor my dad and to share with you some of the wonderful lessons he has imparted to me. My father spent most of...
Real estate as retirement income
Is the real estate market a good investment for retirement? I haven't fielded that question in at least five years, but over the past six weeks, I have been pleasantly...