Retirement Watch Weekly
10 Best Annuity Providers Unveiled
The 10 best annuity providers unveiled in this write-up give prospective annuity buyers choices for which insurers to use. Choosing an annuity provider that will be able to fulfill an individual needs can be a daunting task. This article will simplify your search for the perfect annuity provider! The following list of the 10 best […]
Annuities: A Glossary of Terms
Annuities are complex financial instruments that can be difficult to understand. Annuity jargon only further complicates the task of comprehending annuities. It is imperative for any annuitant to understand all the basic facets of an annuity, and especially important for them to know the provisions of their specific contract. The following key annuity terms provide […]
Bob’s Journal for 8/5/21
What Inflation Means for Medicare and Social Security Beneficiaries The numbers won’t be final for a few more months, but it looks like this year’s rise in inflation will affect beneficiaries of Medicare and Social Security. Social Security, as you know, gives beneficiaries an annual cost of living adjustment, or COLA. The COLA is based […]
How To Avoid the ‘Double Tax’ on Your Retirement Benefits
As you know, IRAs and other retirement plans are included in the estate of the owner… And subject to federal estate taxes — when the estate is valuable enough. Here’s what many people don’t know: Unlike other assets, the tax basis of IRAs is not increased to current fair market value by those who inherit […]
Bob’s Journal for 7/29
Today’s Great Inflation Debate Are the recent high inflation rates transitory, as the Federal Reserve says, or are we at the beginning of a long inflationary period, perhaps one like the 1960s and 1970s? That’s a major debate among economists and market watchers. Regular readers of Retirement Watch know that, over the last few years, […]
The Foundations Of A Great Estate Plan [Part 2]
Today, we’ll pick up where we left off last week, with more advice on making the most of your estate plan. Should Heirs Get Equal Shares of the Estate? Parents have several different reasons for considering leaving unequal shares of their estates to children. Some parents are tempted to leave a child less money because […]
Bob’s Journal for 7/22/21
Junk Bonds Aren’t ‘High-Yield’ Now The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy achieved at least one of its goals. The policy pushed investors out of safer investments into more risky ones in search of higher yields and returns. High-yield bonds typically offer yields well above those of treasury bonds and other safe income investments. Usually, the excess […]
Investors Start to Worry About the Fed
The stage is set for the second half of 2021 to deliver a strong, broad economic expansion, probably the best in a long time. There’s a strong foundation for sustained growth. Households improved their balance sheets during the pandemic, helped by stimulus payments and rising asset prices. Also, incomes are rising. Households, as a whole, […]
