The percentage of Americans over 85 is growing steadily, and with it a new conundrum: Where will the elderly live? For a growing number of folks who are still healthy, the answer is “right at home.” According to the federal Consumer Expenditure Survey, from 1987 to 2003 the percentage of persons over age 85 living […]
Read MoreMonth: August 2017
Retirement is Not the End of Your Time Horizon
In my experience, common misconceptions investors have deal with their understanding of their investment time horizon. They tend to plan as though their horizons end at retirement or at age 70-1/2 when required minimum distributions from retirement accounts must begin. It is true, our goals, tolerance for risk, return objectives and allocations should be reviewed […]
Read MorePlanning for a long life
Not many years ago, the typical retirement age, 65, was viewed as the onset of old age. Today, gerontologists define matters differently: If you’re between the ages of 65 and 74, you are one of the “young-old.” To be considered “old”, you need to be in the 75-to-84 age bracket. After that, you’re known, demographically, […]
Read MoreRetirement Strategies
As we pass through the dog days of summer, the month of August is barely hanging onto a gain as of Friday’s close. The financial media is reporting the market in August is on track to be the worst of the year. No matter how August finishes, clear thinking investors know none of this month’s […]
Read MoreFeuding heirs
“I sincerely ask that all beneficiaries are sensible and do not argue.” This wish, expressed by Australian coal-mining billionaire Ken Talbot in his will, has gone unfulfilled. Talbot’s will was drafted in 2002, when his fortune was estimated at $130 million. At his death in an airplane accident in the Congo in 2010, his wealth […]
Read MoreSecurity and Securities in an Insecure World
One of the greatest investors, economists and educators of all time began his lecture, Securities in an Insecure World, with the following statement: In the field of financial security, as limited to the problems of investment policy, I would say there are three kinds of threats or dangers that investors should recognize as possibly existing […]
Read MoreDeveloping a strategy for retirement
Even if you are several years away from retirement, it’s not too early to start gathering facts, weighing choices and mapping out your tax and investment strategy. Here are several suggestions that should help you organize your planning. Be aware of the Social Security and Medicare benefits that you will receive. You can receive a […]
Read MoreSecond Quarter Wrap Up
Of the 420 S&P 500 companies which have reported Q2 earnings to date, 60% have reported revenues above analyst expectations and 73% have reported earnings above expectations. Earnings for the S&P 500 are on track to increase by 12.0% from the second quarter of 2016. The first estimate of Q2 GDP was a better than […]
Read More