The short answer is no, according to a recent study conducted by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Data in the study suggests that the gap between what people have saved, versus what they need for retirement, is quite significant and by any measure staggering. The funding gap is $6.6 trillion.1 The study examines several reasons why many investors are underfunding their retirement, but three factors stand out as particularly influential. When reviewing these findings below, it’s important for investors to weigh them respective to their own savings and investment plans, including how much retirement income they’ll need, in order to help determine how prepared they are for retirement. Three Reasons Why Nest Eggs Aren’t Big Enough 1) Investors Aren’t Saving Enough Some investors haven’t saved enough simply because they never determined how much they actually needed for retirement. This involves speaking with a financial advisor about what your retirement income needs are, and then determining an appropriate savings level and a desired return on investments over time needed to get there. [+] Read More

For retired people or those nearing retirement, there can be less opportunity to “save more” as part of retirement planning. After all, retirement is supposed to be about working less, not more! Since working less usually means earning less and therefore saving less, it’s important to focus on good investment planning. Here are three planning ideas to consider when planning for retirement. 1) Consider a Strategy to Increase Your Social Security Check In previous blog posts, we’ve written about strategic ways to defer Social Security so as to enhance the size of your benefit checks. Two such strategies are the Restricted Application for Spousal Benefits and the File and Suspend Strategy. Click on the links to learn more. [+] Read More

Money manager Windhaven Investment Management has ranked consistently in our Monthly Top Ten Most Researched Money Managers for some time. Many investors request information about Windhaven because they are attracted to Windhaven’s stated potential ability to capture returns in up-markets, while also seeking to limit losses during market downturns. Below are some insights to help investors who are evaluating Windhaven’s investment strategies. (This is for informational and comparison purposes only. WrapManager is not affiliated with Windhaven Investment Management, and it has not approved for use nor entered into contracts with them.) Windhaven Investment Management Investment Strategies Windhaven Investment Management is a Registered Investment Advisor firm based out of Boston, MA, with over $15 billion in assets under management.1 In November 2010, Charles Schwab acquired Windhaven in an effort to broaden their investment offerings to their clients.2 Windhaven’s investment strategies include Diversified Conservative, Diversified Growth, and Diversified Aggressive, of which Diversified Growth is the most popular.3 [+] Read More

Money manager ClearBridge Investments' December commentary explains their view that many things remain out of balance in today's economy and are therefore unsustainable. Over time, many of these things should adapt to a more sustainable state. "More than five years after the global financial crisis, investors continue to grapple with volatile capital markets, political and social instability in many key regions of the globe, and lackluster economic growth. Interwoven with these challenges are numerous unsustainable conditions that have kept the global economy from achieving full recovery. From our semi-optimistic perspective, the environment is improving, the result of market forces that are attempting to reconnect society and the global economy, while replacing artificial distortions with real, sustainable economic factors." Download ClearBridge Investments' Full Commentary Here Get Free Research Reports on ClearBridge Investments [+] Read More

Dr. David Kelly, Chief Global Strategist at JP Morgan Funds, examines how the global central bank's expansionary monetary policies could affect investors and portfolios in 2014. "The key to successful investing is not seeing the future with some kind of mythical vision – it is seeing the present with clarity. This is truer today more than ever, in a world recovering from financial crisis, rife with political discontent, extreme monetary easing and deep-seated investor prejudice. In this quarterly publication, we try to provide clarity by looking at the big issues shaping the global economic investment environment and fostering both opportunities and risks for long-term investors." Download JP Morgan's Full Commentary Here Get Free Research Reports on JP Morgan Asset Management [+] Read More

With the year coming to a close, it’s important to make sure you have taken, or are set up to take, your 2013 required minimum distribution. The amount you need to take is based on the total value of all your IRA accounts. If this is the first time that you are required to take an RMD, you may have until April 1, 2014 to do so. Below is a brief guide that will hopefully answer many of your questions about taking required minimum distributions. Alternatively, you can call one of our Wealth Managers at (800) 541-7774 to potentially determine your RMD amount. Click Here to Read the Report [+] Read More

For investors thinking about purchasing an annuity, there are two things they should do first. One, speak with a financial advisor (other than the one trying to sell you the annuity) so you can get an unbiased explanation of how the annuity contract works. Second, consider these three reasons not to buy an annuity. Reason 1: Limited Control of Your Principal, Income, and Investment Options Money in Annuities May be Locked Up Most types of annuities restrict access to your principal for a certain number of years. If you have an unforeseen need for cash and have to exit the contract early, you might have to a pay a penalty to access your money. [+] Read More

International equity money manager Cambiar Investors' latest investment commentary discusses their outlook for the international equity markets and the performance of their International and Global equity portfolios. From the commentary: "As we enter the final quarter of 2013, it would not be a surprise if the year-to-date enthusiasm towards equities wanes in favor of a more defensive posture. The reasons for caution are plentiful: gridlock in Washington, taper timing by the Fed, a new Fed Chairperson, uncertainty in Syria, and above all – a stock market that is no longer that cheap. As the saying goes, the market climbs a wall of worry…but resolution on these fronts would certainly bolster investor confidence." Download Cambiar Investors' Full Commentary Here Get Free Research Reports on Cambiar Investors [+] Read More

WrapManager’s Weekly Summary of Market and Economic News The Bellwether US 10-Year Treasury Hit 3% on Thursday Interest rates continue to move higher as the economy recovers and as the Federal Reserve provides additional hints that they plan to “taper” their economic stimulus measures. Some people are concerned that rising interest rates could stifle the recovery of the housing market as well as general business activity.1 While that may be true to a degree, we also believe there are at least 4 Reasons Rising Interest Rates Aren't Necessarily a Bad Thing. In Spite of Rising Interest Rates, US Auto Sales Continue Booming In the month of August, new car sales rose 17% to 1.5 million, which is the highest level of sales since 2007. This is a good indication that the auto sector has moved past the recession and recovered in full. Analysts expect that close to 16 million cars and trucks will be sold in the US this year. Toyota, General Motors, Nissan, Honda, Chrysler, and Ford all posted double-digit gains for the month.2 [+] Read More