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The Newly Enacted SECURE Act is a Game-Changer

“Nothing lasts forever but the certainty of change.” — Bruce Dickinson

 

The passage of the SECURE Act has resulted in major changes to the tax rules governing contributions to, and required withdrawals from, qualified retirement plans and IRA accounts.

In many cases, the Act makes existing estate planning for retirement benefits obsolete.

While most of the changes will accelerate taxes on retirement assets, there are also some taxpayer-friendly changes as well.

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Reach Your Retirement Goals By Following 10 Basic Axioms

What’s the key to making good investment choices? It isn’t necessary to understand the inner workings of the securities markets or the mathematical economies underlying investment theory.  Instead, 10 axioms of effective investing provide the critical cornerstone for guiding investment philosophy and making decisions. This will ensure that you meet the universal goal of creating financial wealth for retirement.

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Dollar Cost Averaging

 

As evident with the recent volatility in the stock market, investing inherently involves some risk – that’s just the way life works. Our job as investors is to figure out ways in which to minimize this risk.  One common method that investors use to minimize risk is dollar cost averaging (DCA).  Dollar Cost Averaging offers a strategy for investors to gradually increase their stock market exposure for potential long-term upside results, while taking into account the whipsaw nature of current market conditions.

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Concentrated Investment Positions

 

 

With the recent runup of stock market levels over the past several years, many investors might find one or more of their investment holdings have appreciated considerably in value, now representing a disproportionate percentage by market value. With this in mind, it is important for investors to pay attention to these concentrated investment position(s), an important investment concept that often is over-looked for proper portfolio management.

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Benchmarking: The Art of the Science

Craig L. Israelsen, Published in the AAII Journal in November 2019 (Updated in January 2020 with full-year 2019 performance)

 

 

 

 

 

 

As found in the Merriam Webster dictionary the term “benchmark” has the following definitions:

  • a mark on a permanent object indicating elevation and serving a reference in topographic surveys and tidal observations.
  • a point of reference from which measurements may be made.

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Defining Your Investment Objectives

 

With the start of 2020, now is an ideal time for investors to review their forward-looking investment objectives, understanding these objectives are affected by short- and long-term needs and changing requirements.

This fact sheet provided by the CFA Institute will help you work with your financial adviser to determine how to best meet your financial goals.  If you are an independent investor, we think you too will find this fact sheet worthwhile for helping you to better manage your investment portfolio(s).  Continue reading Defining Your Investment Objectives

Save and Invest…

 

 

Saving is a key principle. People who make a habit of saving regularly, even saving small amounts, are well on their way to success.  It’s important to open a bank or credit union account so it will be simple and easy for you to save regularly.   Then, use your savings to plan for life events and to be ready for unplanned or emergency needs.

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