Our insights on various investing topics.
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You read and hear about fixed, equity-indexed and variable annuities, but do you know what they are?
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Investment clubs can be a valuable resource for novice investors
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If you’re like many investors, you may not know or care that bond funds offer advantages individual bonds can’t. You should.
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It's not enough to save for retirement; retirement planning includes the need to monitor investments on a regular basis.
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If you’re 70 ½ and own an IRA or other qualified retirement accounts, federal tax code requires you to take annual distributions.
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Financial advisors are commonly paid in one of these three ways: an hourly basis, a commission basis or fee-basis.
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Just like IRAs, there are differences between Roth and traditional 401(k)s, and deciding which to use isn’t the same for everyone.
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Within reason, what usually matters most is what a mutual fund pays you, not the expenses you pay for the mutual fund.
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Complexity of variable annuities and high commissions, high expenses, lack of liquidity and tax treatments not for most investors.
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When a fund manager who has generated consistent performance leaves a fund, it may also be time for you to leave the fund.
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Many people don’t realize the difference catch-up contributions can make in their retirement nest-egg.
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Mutual funds are not like common retail items; strong marketing efforts by a fund company don't necessarily equate to a good fund.
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The SIPC protects you if your broker-dealer or account custodian commits fraud, resulting in the loss of your investments.
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Required minimum distributions (RMDs) are most commonly taken from traditional IRAs and workplace retirement plan accounts.
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Which should be a greater priority: paying down your mortgage or investing for retirement or other long-term financial goals?
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As you notice a market or economic problem, mutual fund managers likely have already reacted.
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When you open an IRA, who or what you name as beneficiary plays a critical role in the transfer of assets upon your death.
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401k and 403b retirement plans are consistently among the best options you have to accumulate assets for your retirement.
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It’s great if you can invest in a 401(k) account or other retirement plan account, but it's not enough just to invest your money.
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As it is for anything, the question about investment advisory fees is this: are you getting a good value for your money?
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When you know what type of investor you are, volatile times can sometimes be easier to contend with.
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Madoff scandal, and others, show need to understand your investment strategy, whether investing on your own or paying for help.
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To reduce the need for your loved ones to make that decision so soon after your death, help your heirs devise a plan.
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It’s estimated most retirees need 80 percent of pre-retirement income; 401k accounts offer chance to build income.
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Contributions and earnings on your investments increase your retirement income, but fees can also impact your investment return.
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Actively-managed mutual funds feature advantages over index mutual funds
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You may find that as a beginning investor, getting started isn't as difficult as you imagined.
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Independent investment advisors offer advice and manage investments without influence from fund company compensation.
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Surrender penalities, participation caps, tax treatment are among problems commonly associated with equity-indexed annuities.
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The right mutual funds for you are largely the result of efforts by the managers and their daily portfolio decisions.
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Before you hire someone to help manage your investments, it’s important that he knows what your expectations are.
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To develop an investment plan that meets your needs and goals, understand your investing identity and its effect on your plan.
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If you’re looking for something new or different to invest in, absolute return mutual funds may catch your attention.
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Many attempt to use market-timing. The common result: they end up buying when prices are high and selling when prices are low.
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529 plans offer general benefits, but may not be the best option to fund expenses associated with a college education.
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Regular contributions to workplace retirement accounts--dollar-cost averaging (DCA)--helps retirement planning process.
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While many employer-sponsored retirement plans allow you to borrow from your retirement account, is it a good idea?
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Tax-loss harvesting can help reduce your income taxes—sometimes significantly. It may also help put money back in your pocket.
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When companies need to acquire money, they sell shares of stock. Investors buy the stock, hoping to share in profit and growth.
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Start saving and planning early to build a retirement nest egg sufficient to sustain your desired lifestyle in retirement.
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Definitions for a list of the most common terms used in describing 401(k) rollovers and the process of moving your investments.
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A proper asset allocation mix may offer you the best opportunity to reach your goals.
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Understanding the differences between taxable and qualified accounts helps shape investment decisions in those accounts.
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Depending on your circumstances, moving assets through a Roth IRA conversion not, be best for you.
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401(k) rollover accounts have much in common with IRAs, but differ in the treatment of contributions and distributions.
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Some assets outperform others over time; rebalance your asset allocation to keep risk and return characteristics in place.
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Mutual funds offer professional management to investors by pooling their money to buy a specific mix of investments.
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Moving 401k and other qualified retirement plan assets to a self-directed IRA rollover provides benefit and flexibility.
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Individual Retirement Accounts, or IRAs, offer tax-deferred gains and income and the possibility of other income tax advantages.
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You must decide how much investment risk and volatility is acceptable within your portfolio of investments.
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Alternative investments are often desired by investors with certain areas of knowledge in something other than stocks or bonds.
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When looking for the right mutual funds, identify managers who’ve produced the most consistent performances over time.
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Keep in mind these ideas as you manage the investments in your 401(k) or workplace retirement account.
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Sales charges in load funds don't help managers make better buy, sell and hold decisions than no-load fund managers.
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Bonds are agreements between borrowers and lenders in which borrowers pledge regular interest payments and a return of principal.
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Buy and hold should not be confused with buy and forget; accounts require regular monitoring to ensure acceptable performance.
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In simple terms, fixed annuities are contracts between investors and insurance companies.
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Diversification across asset classes is a challenge; it may be easier with a portfolio of mutual funds rather than stocks.
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When stock market volatility rises, fixed-income investments may not always provide the stability and safety you desire from them.
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Mutual fund companies are required to pass along capital gains distributions
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Target-date mutual funds are designed to provide diversification and asset allocation without monitoring or changing investments.
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Some combination of bond funds is appropriate in most investor’s portfolios depending on goals, income and other factors.
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