President Obama's voluntary '"myRA" proposal, with no option to invest in stocks, could be doomed to failure, advisers say. The plan "isn't going to go anywhere," according to one skeptic. <i>(Don't miss these <a href="http://www.investmentnews.com/gallery/20140123/FREE/123009998/PH" target="_blank">tips for a worry-free IRA rollover</a>.)</i>
Taking benefits early means permanent reduction &ndash; but sometimes that's OK.
Advisers must know whether clients who have worked for federal, state or city governments may be affected by pension rules that can reduce or even eliminate certain Social Security benefits.
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> January was rough, and though Seattle winning the Super Bowl is a good omen for stocks, it's going to be a bumpy ride. Also: How defined contribution assets surged, celebrating 25 years as a top PM, who to thank (or blame) for 401(k)s, finding gems in the emerging markets and who won the Super Bowl of advertising?
Proposal would enable investors to open accounts with as little as $25. But would it turn us into a "nation of savers?"
MetLife Inc., the insurer reducing variable annuity sales by more than half, said rivals that are expanding are probably retaining less funds to back the retirement products.
Fixed-annuity sales in the third quarter reached their highest level since 2009, topping $22 billion. That number represents a 31% rise from the previous quarter and more than a 35% increase from the same period last year.
Just as advisers have to become experts in learning the best Social Security claiming strategies, they need to learn how Medicare and tax rules could affect their clients' bottom line in retirement.
Don't move funds based solely on the word 'free,' regulator says.
Fiscal cliff agreement on exemption jettisoned in budget proposal; financial planners scrambling
More Americans than ever converted their tax-deferred IRAs into Roth plans in 2010, led by IRA holders with annual incomes exceeding $1 million. Advisers successfully pitched the switch as a pay now, save later strategy.
Future cost-of-living adjustments applied to larger base benefit
Financial planners share their concerns and actions for mitigating a slow-growth economy and the general trend of wage stagnation.
Financial planning practices are on a collision course with skyrocketing retirement health care costs, which could lead to higher-than-expected health care costs during retirement.
Waiting until age 60 or later to remarry preserves Social Security benefits.
It's a tough discussion that's not going away. It's only going to get tougher.
He will remain head of the DC business; Bruce Wolfe is COO of new business.
