Half of Americans see market swings as opportunities to cash in
Although volatile markets mean opportunities for some investors, most clients will be better off ignoring market corrections if they are investing for the long term.
Retirement income
The No. 1 reason workers save money (it’s not for retirement or to buy a home)
More than one third of the respondents (37%) save for emergency purposes, while 30% save to secure their retirement. See the reason that tops the list.
Cash balance plans evolving to look more like 401(k)s
Unlike a traditional defined benefit plan, these retirement vehicles place more of the volatility on the shoulders of the account holders.
What Congress is doing to boost retirement savings
Congress is considering seven bills, which if passed, would help Americans improve their retirement prospects.
Maximize Social Security benefits for surviving spouses
82% of surviving spouses could have collected a higher benefit if they did things differently with their filing, according to a new report.
Benefits Think How many top 10 mutual funds are in your 401(k) plan?
Six funds are actively managed, which may surprise plan administrators who think that index funds are the only way to invest.
Robert C. Lawton
Lawton Retirement Plan Consultants
The stealth pension mortgage on your house
States with unfunded public employee retirement obligations will have to rely on real estate property as their ultimate collateral to deal with the risk.
The HSA opportunity clients miss
The right health insurance is all that’s needed to use this triple-tax advantaged savings account.
Retirees share 6 secrets to financial well-being
Many seniors who succeeded in retirement set their sights on becoming millionaires while they were young.
A different kind of diversification pays off for retirees
Clients will be better off using the income allocation strategy than the asset allocation approach when building a retirement portfolio, an advisor says.
Financial wellness engagement remains low
Employers and employees both say programs are necessary to help manage debt and prepare for retirement, but participation still lags.
Taking aim at employee stress, employers expand financial education benefits
Many workers are not financially stable and not prepared for retirement, according to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, resulting in an increase in onsite financial programs.
New policies needed to empower plan sponsors to think outside the box
Employers looking to beef up retirement strategies must talk with lawmakers and adopt new strategies to create innovative ways to better prepare workers for post-work years.
How workers can build a dividend portfolio
Dividend income is taxed lower than interest yields. And for the federal taxes that apply, clients can take steps to minimize those as well.
Taking aim at employee stress, employers expand financial education benefits
Many workers are not financially stable and not prepared for retirement, according to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, resulting in an increase in onsite financial programs.
With lower taxes, consider a Roth conversion to make the most of lower rates
The new tax law lowers the tax rates for many investors, allowing clients to enhance tax savings on the converted amount.
Signing up for Medicare while covered by employer’s health plan
Seniors need to be mindful of enrollment deadlines with Medicare.
Benefits Think Danger Zone: Strategies for employees approaching retirement
As workers live longer, employers need to help them save for their post-work years.
Curtis Cloke
Thrive Income Distribution System LLC
This neglected group could get some relief if proposed 401(k) changes happen
Congress is considering a proposal that would allow small companies to create a multiple-employer retirement plan to enable their workers to build their nest eggs,
Millennials are making a costly investment mistake
Younger workers think cash is the best long-term investment. Unsurprisingly, they’re not seeing good returns.
