FDIC Insured Index-Linked CDs — Play the Market without Risk
Want to play the stock market without risk? FDIC insurance will help you do that. The FDIC insures the “index-linked” CDs offered by some banks. These CDs pay interest based upon the overall performance of a stock market index, and your principal deposit is FDIC insured up to current limits (generally $100,000 and $250,000 for retirement accounts). Here’s an example of how [...]
Categories: CD savings, retirement income Tags: CDs, FDIC insuered, FDIC insurance, index-linked
How to Earn More – FDIC Insured CDs part 1
Callable CDs “Callable CDs” are a variety of CDs that often pay more than regular (non-callable) CDs. These CDs come with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance (FDIC), full principal repayment at maturity and above-average yields. These insured CDs appeal to safety-conscious retirees looking for income. Although FDIC insured, that does not mean they are not without risk. These FDIC insured CDs have features [...]
Categories: CD savings, retirement income Tags: callable CDs, CDs, certificates of deposit, FDIC
Consider These Issues before Choosing an Early Retirement Plan
If you’re 5 years from retirement you may be offered an early retirement plan – i.e. an offer of money in return for retiring at an earlier time than you had planned. What should you consider before choosing to accept any particular early retirement plan? First, you want to make create a retirement plan–start with the retirement planning calculator. You [...]
Categories: Early Retirement Tags: Early Retirement
Will Preparation-Do You Really Know Who Gets What?
Perhaps you have made your will and now you think you know where your money will go. Think again! Is there a new child, a new spouse, or was there a death in your family? If so, then take these changes into account in your will. Or what if after you pass, things as they are now change–will those heirs you [...]
Categories: wills Tags: per stirpes, percapita, simple will, will preparation
Retirement Income Sources
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the sources of retirement income and proportions thereof. Note that 60% of your retirement income sources are not within your control so it does not need to be addressed. Let’s address the sources of retirement income you can control. Let’s also note that the portion of retirement income you can control may [...]
Categories: retirement income Tags: retirement income sources
Long Term Care Options
if you’ve investigated the cost of long term care insurance, you know its expensive. So what ate your long term care options? There are a number of ways to potentially reduce the cost of long-term care insurance. One method for couples is to add a “shared-care” rider. For example, instead of a lifetime benefit period for each of you, consider [...]
Categories: logn term care Tags: logn term care
Retirement Manager from Morningstar Simplifies 401k Management
Do you have funds in a 401k and have you often had questions about managing those funds? Its quite possible that the plan administrator or your employer offers Morningstar Retirement Manager as a tool to make 401k management easier. While software is never as good as sitting with retirement advisors to get in-person individualized advice, this software is a good [...]
Certified Retirement Advisor–What Does the Designation Mean?
Surprisingly, there is no such thing as a “certified retirement advisor” in the US. Because there are several designations, it may be hard to keep them straight so let’s do a little sorting out to help you find a retirement advisor. Most all of these individuals do some sort of financial planning and work with retirees (some may only deal [...]
Categories: retirement advisor, retirement income Tags: certified retirement advisor
Retirement Plan Administration
If you’ve ever been involved in a qualified retirement plan (401k, profit sharing, pension, defined benefit, etc) there has been a retirement plan administrator working behind the scenes. This firm has insured that the plan was in compliance with all federal rules (e.g. ERISA) and maintained all pertient filings with the government and disclosures to you, the plan participant. Retirement plan [...]
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Retirement Investment Advisors-what can they do for you
Typically, a professional that calls themselves a retirement financial advisor helps you prepare for retirement and may not be much value to you if you are already retired (yes, there are big difference in managing assets and providing advice for someone still working as opposed to an investor now living off their assets). Their clientele will typically be age 45 [...]
Categories: retirement consultants Tags: advisors, retirement investment advisors
