Bonds can be a core, low-risk component of retirement portfolios. However, they do come with one significant risk factor: If interest rates go up, the bonds you already own will plummet in value. A bond ladder strategy can be a way to reduce that particular risk. What Is a Bond? A bond is a fairly…
Financial advisor fees can be confusing because different kinds of financial advisors have various ways of charging for their services. These are the most common types of fee structures: commissions; flat or hourly fees; assets under management (AUM); and fee-based (a combination of fees and commissions). All of these payment methods are used by legitimate…
Many people have never met with a financial planner because they are afraid. They might be afraid that they are going to find out that their finances are insufficient, they might be afraid that they are going to feel stupid, or they may have some uncertainty over how to start the conversation. The fear of…
While there are many different reasons people turn to financial advisors during their life, the majority turn to them for one reason: retirement. While most people seek out financial advice for retirement, other big life events also prompt Americans to seek out financial planners, including divorce and the death of a close family member.Here are…
A lot of people wonder if a financial advisor is worth it. Are they really worth the time, expense and hassle. It can be a sizable expense and you don’t want to make mistakes or feel uncomfortable about the process. If you decide you could benefit, it is important to choose an advisor that is…
Can you retire without consulting a financial advisor or some kind of retirement professional? Of course. The question is, do you have good resources for reliable retirement information? More importantly, can you retire AND have a secure future without talking with a retirement professional? The answer to this question might be a little more complicated.…
Episode 20 of the NewRetirement podcast is an interview with Rick Ferri — CFA, author, and founder of Core-4 — and discusses Ferri’s perspective on investing and the future of financial advice after being in the industry for three decades. They address the difference between investing strategy and investing philosophy, advisors as legal fiduciaries and…
The past month has seen some wild dips in the stock markets. Nothing yet too terribly miserable for most, but enough to make us jittery. Should we be worried about a stock market correction? The easy answer is yes. After all, investing in the stock market is inherently risky and today’s world feels more unpredictable…
Earlier this week I traveled to Chicago to attend the Retirement Income Summit — a financial advisor industry conference focused on the latest ideas about how to improve and secure retirement income. I saw presentations, met up with insiders in the financial services industry and found a few ideas to help you have a better…
Every financial publication has an article about how Trump might be ruining your retirement with his executive order to revise the Department of Labor’s DOL fiduciary rule for financial advisors. However, because you are reading this article, you are probably relatively engaged with your retirement accounts and may have less reason to worry. There are…
As you near retirement, you may decide it’s time to have someone help make sure you are set up for a successful future. We could all use financial advice. But how to find a good financial advisor is the more important question. Unfortunately, more than 12% of financial advisors who are registered in the U.S.…
Can you trust a financial advisor? The benefits of working with a financial planner are widely known and convincingly supported by research. However, too few of us actually turn to professional help when it comes to planning for. A recent study by Northwestern Mutual found that only 20% of Americans have a written financial plan.…
Sound financial advice can help you play leapfrog instead of stock market dodgeball. Are retirement plan consultants worth the investment? Toss a quarter in the air and it will land on the right answer. Depending on who you ask, of course. The case for hiring one might be found in the recent stock market plunge.…
Alexis Schroeder is a 22-year-old fitness, finance and travel blogger. She writes about saving money while living a healthy, adventurous life in her 20s. Steve Douglas once said, “Your future is always more valuable than today,the sooner you realize that, the better.” With that in mind, working with a financial counselor to plan your retirement…
Whether you’re new to planning or have a few years under your belt, a retirement advisor can help you meet your unique goals. A financial advisor and retirement advisor are the same in many ways. But there’s one significant difference. Where a financial advisor is concerned with your finances and goals generally, a retirement planner…
If you’re like many Americans, you probably have concerns about your retirement plan. But research shows that those who work with a financial planner are often better prepared for retirement and have more confidence in their savings plans. There are many different types of financial advisors. However, taking those first steps toward meeting with a…
The best financial advisors offer many benefits to their clients. However, many of us think that they only provide advice on investments to extremely wealthy people. Financial advisors can offer you confidence, security and a secure retirement plan.Here are six things that financial advisors do to benefit clients of all levels of wealth. 1. Financial…
If you are not exactly sure what fiduciary means, you are not alone. However, this concept is incredibly important for anyone that is seeking help with retirement, investments, savings, and all personal finance matters. A fiduciary is an individual in whom another has placed the utmost trust and confidence to manage and protect property or…
A new proposal by the Obama Administration is taking unprecedented steps toward protecting people who are planning for retirement. President Obama is directing his administration to move forward with a proposed rulemaking that will protect families by imposing a “fiduciary standard” on retirement advisors. The fiduciary standard ensures that advisors put the interest of average…
What is a Certified Financial Planner? It seems like every day Americans are reminded how ill-prepared they are for retirement — especially as numerous reports highlight the country’s lack of savings. If this is you, you might consider working with a certified financial planner (CFP). The benefits of teaming up with a financial planner to…
Don’t let financial planners intimidate you. They’re there to help, and most of them do a great job. The question isn’t really whether financial planners are worth what they earn; it’s more about whether it’s the best choice for you. If you’re on the fence about hiring a planner to handle your wealth, or prospective…
Baby boomers are feeling less confident about retirement. Boomer confidence regarding their retirement preparations and expectations has declined since 2011 — from 44% expressing confidence in 2011 compared to 35% today. However, Boomers working with a financial advisor are more likely to have savings for retirement and are more likely to have set a retirement…
A lot of people approach retirement by their own wits. This can be a decent way to plan – nobody knows your finances and hopes for your future as well as you do. No matter your financial expertise or lack there of, you at least know what you want. And, the wrong financial advisor –…
Retirement plan advisors help make the plan more efficient. It almost seems to go without saying. Retirement plan advisors help retirement plans perform better. And that’s what a recent study by EACH Enterprise, LLC, and Transamerica Retirement Solutions Corporation has revealed. A survey of retirement plan sponsors that work with an advisor found that over…
Good financial advisors can usually improve the finances of almost anyone. But when money is exchanged for a service—especially a service involves your personal finances — there are important considerations for choosing the right professional. You want an advisor who is ethical and has your best interest in mind. Add to these considerations the fact…