Retirement Watch Weekly
How to Save Money on High Prescription Drug Costs in Retirement
As you might expect, medical care will be one of your highest expenses during retirement. And prescription drugs will be among your highest medical expenses. Now consider this… A 65-year-old couple today that has median prescription drug expenses for the rest of their lives will need $165,000 of savings to have a 50% chance of covering their health expenses in […]
How Is Your State Pension Fund Doing?
This article discusses a study of the financial health of a few state employee pension funds. The study sought to estimate what would happen to these funds if there was another sharp downturn in the investment markets. It found that at least two funds, Kentucky and New Jersey, are in such bad shape that they […]
Some Guides To Downsizing in Retirement
Many people say they want to downsize, but few do it. Even fewer know how to do it effectively and efficiently. They learn by doing, making a lot of mistakes along the way. Bankrate.com has a guide to downsizing. It explains the reasons why people downsize, how to estimate potential savings, and how to go […]
The Dollar’s Recent Surge Is Unusual
The dollar has been soaring lately, and that has affected both the global markets and economy, as well as reflected recent occurrences. The moves in the dollar in the last few months are unusually large for a major currency. The Bloomberg U.S. Dollar Index increased 4% since mid-April. The dollar had been trending steadily lower […]
The Challenging Phase for Investors Begins: Investment and Economic Review — June 2018
Six months ago in my semiannual investment and economic review, I explained how the United States was in the midst of a transition from a period of very easy monetary policy to a tighter policy. This transition now is over, and we are currently in a period of tight monetary policy and in the late […]
The Costs Of Loss Aversion on Investment Performance
Most people fear losing money than missing out on gains. It’s known as loss aversion. This article explains the costs of loss aversion and why it is so widespread. Of course, it’s the type of article that often appears at market tops and makes those who fear losses more confident they are right than they […]
Legacy Planning & Your Estate Planning: Part 2
When it comes to legacy planning, it’s all about the details. Before deciding to make specific bequests or other gifts from your estate, consider these additional strategies discussed below. Beneficiary designations Bequests of cash or property from your estate often are not the most tax efficient way to make charitable gift. That’s especially true when appreciated […]
Rising Cost Of Retiree Health Care
Fidelity Investments is out with its latest annual estimate of retirement medical expenses. The latest study estimates the cost over the next 30 years for a married couple currently aged 65 at $280,000. That includes a wide range of out-of-pocket expenses, but doesn’t include long-term care and some other expenses. As this article points out, […]
