Retirement planning
The fight to protect consumers against bad investment advice is advancing, but slowly
William F. Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, at a press conference on Sep. 10, 2018. Galvin championed a state rule governing investment advice, which a judge invalidated in March 2022. Michael Swensen for The Boston Globe via Getty Images The fight to protect consumers from bad investment advice has been a multi-year saga. […]
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Inflation and an aggressive Fed could mean investors should rethink the traditional 60/40 portfolio
Investors in this allocation could find themselves suffering declines in both the equities and fixed income sides of their portfolios. Source
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Worried about rising inflation? With nearly risk free I bonds soon to pay 9.62%, here’s what you need to know
Eakgrunge | Istock | Getty Images Less risk often means lower returns. But that’s not the case with I bonds, an inflation-protected and government-backed asset, which may soon pay an estimated 9.62%. I bonds currently offer 7.12% annual returns through April, and the rate may reach 9.62% in May based on the latest consumer price index data. Annual […]
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Not earning enough? Many workers are unhappy with their pay
The “Great Resignation,” also known as the “Great Reshuffle,” has many Americans at least considering a career move. But increasingly, job hopping may be more necessary than voluntary as the recent spike in inflation puts households under financial stress. While wage growth is high by historical standards, it isn’t keeping up with the increased cost of […]
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Getting a divorce? Here’s how to tackle those money issues
Peter Dazeley | The Image Bank | Getty Images When dealing with a divorce, it can be hard to focus on your future finances. However, it’s crucial to face up to them sooner rather than later. “People often say ‘I just want out,’ but the reality is going to hit you later,” said certified financial […]
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Last chance to avoid a 50% penalty on required withdrawals is April 1 for some retirees
If you turned age 72 during the second half of 2021, the deadline for your first annual required withdrawal from retirement accounts is April 1. In many cases, it’s the last chance to avoid a hefty penalty. These required minimum distributions, known as RMDs, apply to both traditional and Roth 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and […]
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Consumers have saved more than $100 billion in health savings accounts
Morsa Images | Digitalvision | Getty Images Health savings accounts eclipsed $100 billion by the end of January, according to Devenir, an HSA investment consultant, as more consumers use the tax-advantaged accounts to save for future health costs. The firm forecasts HSA funds will hit $150 billion by the end of 2024. “The growth is […]
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Vanguard reclaims top target-date fund manager spot, leapfrogs Fidelity and BlackRock
Thomas Barwick | Digitalvision | Getty Images Vanguard Group captured the most new investor money in its target-date funds last year relative to other asset managers, reclaiming the top spot it’d held for over a decade before being dethroned in 2020, according to a new Morningstar report. Target-date funds, or TDFs, have become popular in […]
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Americans are pausing investments because of the Russia-Ukraine war. Here’s what it could cost them
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is degrading Americans’ financial outlook, sparking the desire to save more and postpone investing, according to a survey from MassMutual. But steering clear of stock market volatility may be a mistake, financial experts say. Two-thirds of Americans worry the conflict will hurt their wallets, with nearly half eager to save more […]
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Work at a small employer? You likely pay high 401(k) fees
Yongyuan | E+ | Getty Images Workers who save in a 401(k) plan offered by a small business pay fees that are twice as high as those paid by employees who work at the largest companies in the U.S. The smallest workplace retirement plans (those with less than $25 million in aggregate savings) charge total […]
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