The takeaway: You can lose a bad annuity without losing your shirt — maybe. Even though annuities can alleviate a lot of anxiety about outliving your money, sometimes what seemed like a winner turns out not to be. Since you typically put a fair amount of money into an annuity, it’s important to understand your … [Read more…]
The takeaway: There are 11 critical questions you’ll want to ask before you buy an annuity. Played right, annuities can alleviate any fear you might have of outliving your money. Played wrong, and you’ve needlessly parted with a lot of cash. Annuities are simple in concept, but the devil’s in the details. $$$ Part 1 … [Read more…]
The takeaway:Deliberate purposeful practice wins the day–not talent. So say FSU’s renowned Anders Ericsson along with Robert Pool in the book Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise. Whether you want to pen the great American novel, improve your golf game, or learn to draw, deliberate practice is the path—no talent required. $$$ … [Read more…]
The takeaway: Protect yourself from sequence of returns risk so it doesn’t wreak havoc with your retirement plans. Sequence of returns risk is the danger that market returns will decimate your nest-egg, just as you finally need that money to live on. If you plan to ever live off your savings, you’ll want to understand … [Read more…]
The takeaway: The Coronavirus and your nest-egg should each be treated the same way during this crisis: maintain social distance. Take the long view. History shows that, in time, the market will return to its recent highs, and eventually surpass those highs. Beware the flight to “safety.” For now, understand basic nest-egg management principles. $$$ … [Read more…]