Becoming Financially Independent Part 3: Build Your New Three-Legged Stool™ and Help It Grow
It’s just as important to diversify how funds are saved as it is to diversify how they are invested.
Financial Challenges of Losing a Spouse in Retirement
Widows and widowers whose spouses were younger than 72 at the time of death need to examine their options carefully before rolling over their spouse’s IRA.
Becoming Financially Independent Part 2: Do Not Disturb Accumulation, Do Not Overlook Consolidation
Do not spend money that has been accumulated for financial independence. Invading long-term savings extends the time it will take to achieve a goal.
7 Steps to Take When You Inherit an IRA
When Inheriting an IRA there are complex rules you will need to follow to avoid costly errors.
Becoming Financially Independent, Part 1: Where to Start
Time is the most important word in our investment vocabulary. If financial independence is the goal, starting today beats waiting until tomorrow.
What’s the Difference Between Premium Bonds and Discount Bonds?
A premium bond has a coupon rate higher than the prevailing interest rate for that particular bond maturity and credit quality. A discount bond, in contrast, has a coupon rate lower than the prevailing interest rate for that particular bond maturity and credit quality.
Common Traps That Could Catch Early Retirees
Until you reach age 59 ½, attempting to access tax-deferred retirement accounts could trigger taxes and penalties.
How Does the SECURE Act Affect Legacy Planning for Large IRAs?
With the passage of the SECURE Act inherited IRAs from those who passed after December 31, 2019 are no longer allowed to stretch the withdrawals over their life expectancy.
Passive Investing: Index Mutual Funds vs. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
The difference can be summed up in two words: intraday trading. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs can be bought and sold anytime throughout the day.
Are Pennsylvanians Saving Enough for Retirement?
Only 51% of Pennsylvanians have tried to figure out how much they need to save for retirement—and just 31% are satisfied with their current financial condition.
How to Determine Your Bond-to-Stock Asset Allocation
One way is determining your risk tolerance.
Why is Time-Weighted Return a Good Way to Track Performance in Retirement?
Learn why we use time-weighted return as a reporting metric and see how it gives you an accurate picture of portfolio changes over time.
Cut Your Taxes in Half During Retirement?
Many people believe all they need to do for retirement is defer as much money as they can. This is rarely the case.
The Three Things That Matter Most in Our Retirement Investment Strategy: Allocation, Allocation, Allocation
The myth that security selection and market timing are keys to investment success may drive many to make poor investment decisions.
Why Chasing Yield Is a Bad Idea
A better overall strategy is to invest for total return.
Prudent Withdrawal Rate
Even if the probability of success for a 4% withdraw rate is less than some thought, it’s still strong when your portfolio is monitored actively.
Non-working Spouses Can Contribute to an IRA: Here’s How
Income earned by one spouse can be used to fund retirement accounts for both spouses.
Important Age Milestones in Retirement
59½? 70½ ? How does the IRS come up with these?
IRS Says Gold Is Not an Investment
Gains from gold and gains from investments are taxed differently.
Do Stock Splits Increase a Company’s Value?
A stock split is when a company decides to increase the number of shares outstanding.
