Bob's Journal
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Some Highlights from Retirement Watch 2023
We covered a lot of ground in Retirement Watch during 2023. I’m closing out the year by reviewing some key and popular items from my updates over the past 12 months. This might remind you of some forgotten points or highlight some you might have missed the first time. Interest in annuities soared in the […]
Bob’s Journal for 12/21
IRA Ideas for Last-Minute Gifts If you’re still looking for gift ideas, consider making an IRA-related gift. You can’t give away all or part of your IRA. An attempt to do that would be considered a distribution to you. If it’s a traditional IRA, the distribution would be taxable to you. The recipient might be […]
Bob’s Journal for 12/14
It is Time for 2024 Investment Predictions We’re near the end of the year, so most investment firms are rolling out their market predictions for 2024. Most of the predictions are predictable. The bulk of the analysts estimate the stock indexes will rise by an amount near the long-term average. The long-term average total return […]
Bob’s Journal for 12/7
Treasury Bonds and Federal Debt: A 20-Year Warning The financial markets can’t sustain more than 20 years of the currently projected deficits and interest rates, according to the Penn-Wharton Budget Model from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. The model is used to estimate what the effects might be on the federal fiscal picture of […]
Bob’s Journal for 11/30
How to Capture the Benefits of Year-End QCDs A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from a traditional IRA often is the best way for someone over age 70½ to make charitable contributions. You have until Dec. 31 to nail down the benefits of the QCD for this year, but you want to avoid some key mistakes. […]
Bob’s Journal for 11/23
Happy Thanksgiving to all my Retirement Watch members and readers. This week I’m putting financial analysis aside. Instead, I’m letting you know that my wife, Elaine, and I are thankful for the opportunity to help each of you establish and maintain your independence during retirement. I’m grateful to the many readers who let me know, […]
Bob’s Journal for 11/16
Estate, Gift Tax Exemption Increases, Other Tax Benefits Boosted for 2024 Inflation increased the lifetime estate and gift tax exemption for 2024 as well as other tax benefits, the IRS announced last week. The lifetime estate and gift tax exemption will be $13.610 million in 2024, up from $12.920 million in 2023. Married couples can […]
Bob’s Journal for 11/9
Know the Factors That Generated Recent Stock Market Returns Investors know they earn money when stock prices rise. But they don’t always know why prices rose and what that portends for future returns. A new analysis breaks down the sources of total shareholder returns and determines how much each source contributed to the total. You […]
