A 401(k) plan represents one of the most powerful retirement savings opportunities available today. If your employer offers a 401(k) plan and you're not participating in it, you should be. Contribute as much as possible The more you can save for retirement, the better your chances of enjoying a comfortable retirement. If you can, max [...]
With temperatures in parts of the Bay Area recently moving the thermometer well north of 100 degrees, I have begun to wonder if there was any connection between the stifling weather and other unexpected and bumpy developments in the financial world! As you might have guessed, I am referring to a recent period of heightened [...]
Whether you're close to retirement or years away from receiving Social Security benefits, you may not know much about the intricacies of this important program. Here are some questions and answers that can help you learn more. Will Social Security be around when you need it? You've probably heard media reports about the worrisome financial [...]
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), passed in early January, permanently extended a host of expiring tax provisions. It also largely set the rules for tax planning for 2013 and beyond. As you take stock of your tax situation this year, here are a few new wrinkles to keep in mind. New top [...]
Recently, one of my clients asked my opinion about “actively” managed investments, as compared to “passive” strategies which attempt to track the performance of a particular index. This is not usually the stuff of interesting dinner table conversations, but I do think it is a great question and one that inspired me to share my [...]
I'd like to share some insights into the issues impacting the current market and economic landscape. We all know the big changes and events the markets face in the second half of 2013: a potential reduction of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) bond-buying program, the need for Congress to craft a deal to avert the debt [...]
If you're like most people, you probably evaluate your portfolio in terms of its return. However, return isn't the only factor you should consider; also important is the amount of risk you take in pursuing those returns. The term "risk" is often understood to mean the risk of loss. However, a portfolio is generally a [...]
Created 10 years ago as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003, health savings accounts (HSAs) have gained in popularity over the past decade. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), more employers and employees have been contributing to HSAs in recent years, and the amount contributed to HSAs has [...]
When times are tough, that pool of dollars sitting in your 401(k) plan account may start to look attractive. But before you decide to take a plan loan, be sure you understand the financial impact. It's not as simple as you think. The basics of borrowing A 401(k) plan will usually let you borrow as [...]
Social Security provides retirement income you can't outlive. And, in addition to your own benefit, your spouse may be eligible to receive benefits based on your earnings record in the form of spousal benefits and survivor's benefits. So, it's easy to see why, with all of these potential benefit options, Social Security is an important [...]