After a long period of low interest rates, the Federal Reserve (Fed) has raised its federal funds rate twice since late 2016. Most analysts believe there will be at least two more rate hikes in 2017. What does this portend for individuals investing near or…
…funds by the year 2034, about eight years before the first millennials are set to retire. A millennial is really relying on two things. Number one, does his or her employer have a 401(k) plan? Number two, is there a matching contribution? I firmly believe…
…Funds Rate will be based on inflation measures. Outside of the U.S., the European Central Bank announced that its quantitative easing methodology would entail monthly asset purchases of roughly $70 billion through the third quarter of 2016. Globally, India is supplying attractive growth rates in…
…Capital (“BarCap”) U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (-0.1%) faired better than the BarCap Long Government/Credit Index (-2.0%), but trailed the BarCap “B” High Yield Index which produced a gain of 2.7% in Q1. Money market funds again produced returns near zero and continue to lose ground…
…the retirement plan against misappropriation of funds by individuals handling the plan’s assets. However, the fidelity bond does not protect against claims for losses sustained because of a breach of fiduciary duty. Fiduciary Liability Insurance Protection Fiduciary liability insurance provides protection for trustees and other…
…took steps 2 years ago to prevent coordinated sovereign debt short-sale attacks from private investors and hedge funds (similar to George Soros’ raids on Asian currencies in the late 1990’s). We think the likely result is a series of ‘spasms’; it starts with news reports…
…401(a) plan with employer contributions, the 401(a) plan is subject to the 415 limits, but the 403(b) plan has a separate 415 limit. Funds contributed to 403(b) plan generally do not reduce the 415 limits for the 401(a) and vice versa. In May, 2012 the…
…not subject to the non-discrimination testing requirement for salary deferrals, whereas 401(k) plans are. ARE THERE ANY DIFFERENCES REGARDING INVESTMENT OFFERINGS? Yes, there are. 403(b) plans are limited to annuities contracts through insurance companies or custodial accounts that are invested in in mutual funds. The…
…employees can make a direct rollover from a Roth 401(k) account to a Roth IRA. Under a traditional 401(k) plan, funds are typically rolled over to a rollover IRA. And while an employee can convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, income taxes must…
…rollover of 100% of your funds. If the day ever comes when you have to decide whether to take your retirement money early, picture that warning label: Don’t touch. Then avoid the threat to your future financial well-being by preserving your cash in a tax-deferred…
…Chinese stocks can be accessed through local shares, companies listed on US stock exchanges and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Summary Although there are a number of trade, market, economic and social issues associated with China and its economy, China will continue to be a growing…
…have often noted that it is difficult, if not impossible, to accurately forecast exchange rates, because so many factors are involved (monetary policy, interest rates, flow of funds, etc). Hedging (preventing risk from currency rate moves through futures and options transactions) will have both direct…