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Want to improve your returns? Keep your finger off the button.
It’s a new year and president, and with that comes uncertainty and many opinions about the direction of the investment markets. What’s key to remember is that uncertainty is nothing new. Studies suggest that despite major political and economic events that can impact returns in unpredictable ways in the short-run, it’s better to keep stay away from the panic button if you want better long-term results. A recently updated Dalbar,…
What do the new annual savings limits mean for you?
Below are the IRS updates for 2017, which are similar to 2016 due to low inflation. Read on for special opportunities to save more… 401(k), 403(b), 457 Plan deferral Limit: 2016: $18,000, 2017: $18,000 “Catch-up” Contribution >age 50: 2016: $6,000, 2017: $6,000 Defined Contribution Plan Total Dollar Limit: 2016: $53,000, 2017: $54,000 Highly Compensated Employee definition: 2016: $120,000, 2017: $120,000 Click here for full IRS announcement of 2017 limits Some…
An age-based savings multiplier rule of thumb as a quick test
One retirement readiness rule of thumb: Have 1x your salary saved by age 30. What about other ages? …2x at age 35, 3x at 40, 4x at 45, 6x at 50, 7x at 55, 8x at 60, and 10x at 67. These are general rules of thumb, however, that vary according to when you plan to retire and other factors. Use the WealthStep free Planning/Saving advice engine to get advice…
Uncertainty is an interesting beast
Life would be less interesting if we knew how everything would turn out in advance. However, the same factor of the unknown that makes investment markets nervous is what makes investing attractive in the long-run. Unpredictability can cause asset prices to drop, but is also indirectly what pushes prices higher when good news occurs and fear diminishes. Over the last year, surprises included continued slow global growth, the first interest…
Noise gets more attention than silence, however what is quiet can sometimes be dangerous to ignore
Stock market volatility attracts a lot of attention in the news, which causes some people to believe that such fluctuations are the only retirement preparation risk. In reality, there are other risks that are worse. Here’s the lowdown… When scared investors reduce volatility risk (i.e. reduce or get out of stocks), other risks increase… inflation and longevity risk. Inflation risk is about rising prices, if your savings value isn’t also…
What to make of “Brexit”
SUMMARY: The United Kingdom’s vote last week to leave the European Union has global significance, but it may take years to know the full impact. The U.K. is likely to feel long-term affects. In the short term, uncertainty about the degree of global ripple-effect makes investment markets nervous. Given tepid global economic growth, the medium-term stock market outlook that was already guarded before Brexit is a bit more so now,…