You've finally hit the wonder years. You no longer have to pull the sheets back early in the morning to head off to work, and best of all, if hitting up the greens for a nice round of golf on a Tuesday is what you feel like doing, then that's perfectly okay. Here's a quick look at a few tips that can help your money last longer in retirement. Pay Close Attention to your Withdrawal Rate Now more than ever, having a budget and sticking to it will be of the utmost importance. If you withdraw more than your investment plan calls for, you'll find yourself dwindling down your retirement savings more quickly than anticipated. [+] Read More

For investors who are heavily invested in the US markets, there may have been some disappointment when they saw their returns during the six month period ending in September. The S & P 500 has shown an 8.3% return year to date as of September 30th, but some overseas markets such as India (+24.7% over the same time period) have shown higher returns.1 Portfolio diversification strategy is important for all investors. While diversification does not guarantee profit or protect against loss in declining markets, investing mainly in US stocks (or any single country or region) can be harmful to your portfolio and ability to reach your goals. The below chart demonstrates the importance of a balanced portfolio and shows how different markets and asset classes can perform well one year, and not so great the next year. [+] Read More

Getting through stock market corrections begins before they happen. While it is almost impossible to predict exactly when a market correction will begin and end, there are things you can do now to help reduce the stress felt by many investors during these events. Remember that corrections are temporary and a normal part of healthy markets. You can get through any stock market correction if you have the right frame of mind, adhere to a few basic guidelines and use your financial advisor as a sounding board. Avoid Hasty Investment Decisions It’s normal to feel anxious during corrections and think about changing direction with your investments. But timing the market rarely, if ever, works. By the time you’ve made a decision to change investments, it’s possible the correction could be half over. Once you’re out of the market, the next decision is when to get back in, which is also timing the market. [+] Read More

Planning for Social Security benefits is complex, and if you’re divorced, you may have wondered how spousal benefits will work for you in your retirement years. One thing is for certain: when it comes to Social Security, timing is everything. Knowing and understanding your options can help improve your retirement income plan. General Options Just as there is flexibility for married retirees, divorced retirees have several options when it comes to Social Security. Spousal benefits are generally 50% of your ex-spouse’s full retirement benefits if you file at your full retirement age (66). [+] Read More

There was once a time when investing in the markets was as simple as choosing how much money to have in stocks, versus bonds, versus cash in the bank. Since that time the investment landscape has evolved and the menu of investment options has grown, giving you several products like hedge funds, annuities, ETFs, mutual funds and private REITs. Unfortunately, many of these investments often lack transparency and come with hidden risks and inconsistent returns. Take care in analyzing these three investments as you work with your financial advisor to plan your investment portfolio and retirement income plan. [+] Read More

In response to the 2008 global financial crisis, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates to near zero in an effort to save the economy. As the US economy strengthens, it becomes more likely the Fed will reverse course,1 and the possibility of rising interest rates has some investors worried. Higher rates imply the cost of doing business (or buying a home, for instance) could become more costly, which could hurt the economy. Does this mean that rising interest rates could mean poor stock performance ahead? If so, are adjustments to your portfolio warranted? [+] Read More

Your life is busy and full. You have your family and friends, your business, your hobbies and more. These fill up your days, leaving precious little time for other important cares like your finances. That's why you find a financial advisor, an expert who can steer you through the confusing world of investments, planning, and legal and tax ramifications while you focus on the other significant things in life. While you're taking care of these, your financial advisor can pay attention to the issues surrounding your investments and retirement plan. They can keep tabs on the markets, changes in legislation, investment pitfalls and opportunities, and more. That's the way it should be. Unfortunately there are financial advisors who neglect to tell you the whole story, including their fees, their shortcomings, and their loyalties. [+] Read More

Managing retirement income is a highly personalized endeavor. What works well for one person isn't necessarily the best solution for another. But one thing is usually true for everyone: increasing your social security income is a good thing. It turns out that your social security income amount isn't necessarily fixed. You can potentially increase social security benefits by taking advantage of one more of the following strategies. And that's definitely a good thing. [+] Read More

U.S. investors are significantly under-allocated to international stocks, according to JP Morgan Asset Management. They found that even though 50% of the world’s equity market capitalization is found outside the US, investors have less than a third of their portfolios allocated abroad.1 This imbalance represents a significant disconnect between where the world’s growth is generated today versus where investor portfolios are allocated, and is especially magnified as investment prospects outside the US continue to improve.1 To address this investment issue, you should review your retirement plan’s international exposure with your financial advisor. Is your investment portfolio positioned for whatever growth opportunities may lie ahead in the international markets? [+] Read More