Bob's Journal
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Bob’s Journal for 12/12
The Artificial Intelligence Boom After Two Years It’s been just over two years since OpenAI released ChatGPT and ignited the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. The phenomenon affected stock markets, business investment, employees and many aspects of the economy. Bespoke Premium summarized the effects with the following highlights. Perhaps stocks have shown the biggest effect thus […]
Bob’s Journal for 12/5
Some Notable Events That Grabbed My Attention This Week The Best Investment of the 21st Century So Far Most people probably will be surprised to learn what has been the best-performing investment of the last 25 years. While stocks, especially U.S. stocks, have done very well the last 15 years or so, that’s partly because […]
Bob’s Journal
Happy Thanksgiving 2024 I’m once again putting retirement finance analysis aside this week to let you know that my wife, Elaine, and I are thankful for the opportunity to help each of you establish and maintain your independence and security during retirement. Over the years, I’ve seen many alternatives to Retirement Watch come and go. […]
Bob’s Journal for 11/21
What to Know About the Late-in-Life Loophole for Medicare Advantage Plan Members A number of Medicare beneficiaries switch from Medicare Advantage plans to original Medicare in the last year of life, saving themselves a lot of money, obtaining care they might have been denied and costing Medicare a lot of money. Those are the findings […]
Bob’s Journal for 11/7
IRS Announces 2025 Inflation Adjustments for Retirement Plans Inflation increased the amount people can contribute to 401(k) plans in 2025 and changed other limits for retirement plans. The maximum tax-deferred contribution by an employee to a 401(k) plan in 2025 will be $23,500, up from $23,000 in 2024. The additional catch-up contribution for those ages […]
Bob’s Journal for 10/31
Choose Your Medicare Open Enrollment Guide Carefully It’s Medicare Open Enrollment Period. As I’ve advised several times, Open Enrollment this year is unusually important because of significant changes in Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. Medicare is complicated, and most people have numerous options. So, it’s important to seek help in evaluating the […]
Bob’s Journal
October 24, 2024 Some Notable Events That Grabbed My Attention This Week Gold Miner Stocks Join the Gold Rally Gold set a series of record price highs in 2024, and my recommended portfolios have been along for the ride. But, as I pointed out in the Aug. 29 Bob’s Journal, stocks of gold mining companies […]
Bob’s Journal for 10/17
Social Security Inflation Adjustments for 2025 Are Set The Social Security Administration (SSA) last week released the cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for 2025, based on the Consumer Price Index through September. In January 2025, benefits payable to Social Security beneficiaries will increase 2.5%. The SSA estimates this will increase the average benefit by $50 per month. […]
