Bleak Picture
Bleak Picture. The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) is an organization founded in 1978 with the mission of encouraging and contributing to the development of sound employee-benefit programs. Every year, the EBRI publishes a retirement confidence survey. The 2012 survey interviewed 1,003 workers and 259 retirees in order to find out their confidence in being […]
The Importance of Consistent Contributions
Imagine you’re walking down the street when you spot an obviously inebriated fellow—maybe he’s celebrated a promotion a little too heartily—who is swerving along, chuckling to himself, and headed in your direction. Most of us will, wisely, give this gent a wide berth. Our attitude toward the markets, unfortunately, is often the same. In volatile […]
Retiring Soon? Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage?
The decision to pay off a mortgage or invest in the market is far from black and white. For those who are close to retirement and already have plenty of other liquid financial assets, paying off a mortgage could be a wise use of cash. Such homeowners aren’t likely to be saving a lot because […]
Finally, Taxes Come into Focus
Washington’s agreement early this month on tax legislation brought good news for some and bad news for others. But from an investing and financial planning perspective, the agreement replaced a number of question marks with certainty. And certainty around tax rates and tax policy means it’s easier to make the best decisions for specific clients’ […]
Fiscal Cliff Decision Reached
Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 on January 1st, 2013, providing taxpayers with clearer expectations about what lies ahead. Social Security Payroll Tax Reverts to 6.2% from 4.2%: Back in 2010, President Obama and Congress cut the Social Security payroll tax rate for individuals to 4.2% instead of 6.2%. The rate remained […]
Is Cash Really a Safe Choice?
If you see storm clouds hovering ominously over the markets, it’s only natural to seek a safe harbor. Right now, many people do fear that turbulent times are ahead, whether because of the so-called Fiscal Cliff, because of Europe’s drag on the world economy or other factors. And many of those folks, wanting to protect […]
The Ins and Outs of the 5-Year Rule for Roth IRAs
If you want to take a tax- and penalty-free withdrawal of the portion of a Roth that consists of investment earnings (amount above your initial contribution), you need to be age 59 1/2, disabled, or using the money to pay for a first-time home. However, there’s more to this rule.
“Cliff”-hanger? Or Hype?
For months, Americans have been hearing about the “fiscal cliff.” Washington gridlock, we’re told, is driving the country toward that cliff—and plunging over it would mean catastrophe for the economy and the stock market.
The Do-It-Yourself Health Savings Account
When deciding how much to set aside for an emergency fund, there is a growing category of expenses most people tend to overlook: potential out-of-pocket health-care costs. Even if you haven’t opted for a high-deductible health-care plan, it’s likely that your out-of-pocket health-care costs have jumped up substantially in recent years. Not only have health-care […]
Don’t Play the Sector Game
The S&P 500 index is having a fabulous year. Through the end of September, the index, which tracks top American stocks, had risen 16.4%–making it the top-performing asset class. It’s the kind of performance that can make you want to push the majority of your investment capital into a single kind of investment. But committing […]