As of Friday January 8th, 2016 started off with the worst stock market returns (S&P 500) since 1923… and this week (down 2.5% today alone) is not much better so far. But lets review 2015. To do that, I made the chart below from Yahoo Finance. It goes from 1/01/2015 through 12/31/2015. The market did not have it’s traditional Santa Claus rally at the end of this past year. The market dropped instead of it’s “usual” ending the year on a … Continue reading

Most Certified Financial Planners and the academic community no longer believe that the 4% “safe withdrawal rate” is a dependable rule of thumb for an inflation-protected 30 year retirement income stream. I just read an article in Financial Planning magazine that said, based on the last 15-20 years, the “safe” withdrawal rate is closer to 2% (plus inflation). But what if you could actually guarantee a 4% withdrawal rate – not only for 30 years… but for 40 or 50 years of generally increasing retirement income? And … Continue reading

A client emailed me this morning with this scan of the USA Today article that I was quoted in the newspaper issue date 12/30/2015. It’s a great way to end the year to let folks know about my Social Security book. Happy New Year…. Mark

I realize that I write and speak a lot about longevity. But I only do so because it’s so very important in planning your retirement. A recent video of mine highlighted longevity as the largest of the 5 major retirement risks. Why? Because the longer you live, the more likely the risks of inflation, investment losses, higher health costs and tax increases are to happen. According to Social Security, half of all woman aged 65 today will live to or beyond age … Continue reading

Wow! Just like that, two strategies that have helped my clients take full advantage of Social Security spousal benefits have been wiped out. As part of the budget deal struck by House Republicans and President Obama to raise the U.S. debt limit, two key Social Security “loopholes” have been closed: “file and suspend” and “restricted application” for spousal benefits. While I’m still working my way through all of the changes (and few exceptions or some delays in taking effect). The … Continue reading