Adapting to The Changing Landscape of Income
What happens if what you’ve been planning for changes right before the goal line? We’re seeing that today in the world of retirement income.
When Diversification Backfires
Your investment plan lineup is not a buffet table–the dangers of naïve diversification. There are times when the general principle of diversification can work against investors
Implementing a Fresh Portfolio? Don’t Forget About Taxes
It may be tempting to undertake a dramatic makeover, but an incremental, forward-looking approach is best for taxable accounts.
Plan Talk: Assessing Fixed Income Options in Retirement Plan Lineups
This Janus Henderson podcast discusses current plan menu designs and investment trends in defined contribution (DC) plans.
Savings Shortfall: 41% Worry They Won’t Have Enough to Retire
If you are worried you will not have enough saved for your retirement, you are not alone, a major new study has found.
How Trump’s Second-Term Tax Ideas Could Impact Investors
Retirement Director Ben Rizzuto discusses these ideas and what investors should consider from a tax planning perspective if Trump gains a second term.
When to Take Social Security Benefits
The precise Social Security benefit you will be entitled to will vary based on a number of factors such as years worked, income level, etc.
Blind Spots in the Retirement Space
Nate Miles, Head of Retirement at Wells Fargo Asset Management, reveals three retirement blind spots that he and his team have noticed in conversations with defined contribution plan sponsors, their consultants, and advisors.
Aligning Pension Fund Equity Investments with the UN Sustainable Development Goals
In this Q&A, Pensioenfunds Detailhandel’s, one of Netherlands largest pension funds with €28 billion in AUM, head of investments Henk Groot explains how the Dutch pension fund married the SDGs to its return objectives.
What “Equalizing” Retirement Contributions Could Mean for Investors
Retirement and wealth strategies expert Matt Sommer digs deeper into the Joe Biden tax plan with a synopsis of the plan’s proposal to equalize tax treatment for retirement plan contributions.
What to Do If You Don’t Have a 401(k)
Evaluating the best options for tax-efficient–and automatic–savings outside of a company retirement plan.
The Four Levels of Income
By John Rekenthaler’s count, there are four primary varieties of “income”. They are growth, presevation, erosion, and exit.
Dollar-Cost Averaging: A Formula for Consistent Investing
Many younger investors may be financially unable – or emotionally unready – to invest large sums of money in the market all at once. Retirement Director Ben Rizzuto explains how dollar-cost averaging can provide a useful approach.
Do 401(k) Plans Still Make Sense?
Do 401(k) Plans Still Make Sense? Yes, but perhaps the system requires additional support.
IRS Provides Relief to All Who Have Taken RMDs in 2020
Retirement Director Ben Rizzuto explains how the recently introduced IRS Notice 2020-15 provides relief for these individuals by allowing them to roll the funds back into a retirement account.
Don’t Blame Retail Investors for Stocks’ Volatility
A longtime adage among fund providers is that retail investors are more desirable than institutions, as not only will retail investors pay higher fees, but they also provide relatively “sticky” assets that will stay with funds through long periods of mediocre performance. Once again, everyday shareholders are heterogeneous.
Private Equity in 401(k) Plans: More Smoke Than Fire
To my surprise, private equity fund executives convinced the Department of Labor to issue a letter, dated June 3, 2020, approving the use of private equity investments within 401(k) plans. If the private equity funds are selected judiciously and used appropriately, wrote the Department, plan sponsors will not “violate the fiduciary’s duties under section 403 and 404 of ERISA.”
How State and Local Taxes Affect Your Retirement Plan
With state and local budgets under pressure because of the coronavirus, taxes from these entities may become a front-burner issue if they’re not already.
What to Do When Your Employer Cuts 401(K) Matching Funds
401(k) matching is often one of the first things on the chopping block, and the 401(k) matching rules are clear. Unless the matching is part of a union contract, companies have the right to slash or eliminate matching, even mid year. This applies to both traditional 01k plans and the safe harbor 401(k) plans more popular with small businesses.
Building Resilience: What It Means for Retirement Savings
As the economic fallout from COVID-19 threatens peoples’ livelihoods and erodes their short-term savings, it follows that their long-term financial security is also at-risk. What does it all mean for retirement savings and what steps can we take to build a more resilient system?
Should I Open A Roth IRA Right Now?
The Roth IRA — its cousin being the Roth 401(k) — can be thought of as the mirror image of the traditional IRA or 401(k) plan.
Retirement Planning In The Midst of a Pandemic
The CARES Act waives RMD requirements for this year. So, if you don’t need to take an RMD this year because you have liquid savings in a bank account or regular taxable brokerage account you can live on, it’s really better if you don’t.
Missing the Recovery? How to Get Back In
If you’re near or in retirement, it might be closer to 50%. Figure out what sounds right for you, and set that as your baseline. You don’t have to get there tomorrow. But, in my opinion, this at least gets you a road map.