Some foreign governments may offer a higher interest rate on their bonds than the US Government does. Additionally, some foreign corporations might offer a higher interest rate than the US companies. For retired investors, this could be an opportunity to diversify in an area that offers potentially higher returns, more stable returns and a hedge [...]
Most people think about charitable bequests as part of their will or trust to be consummated when they die. However, you will miss some senior tax breaks if you wait until death. If you attend to these charitable giving issues while alive, there are some big tax breaks available and a decent income for life.
Charities [...]
People invest in variable annuities for many reasons including the tax-deferral of earnings, the ability to name beneficiaries and avoid probate, the growth potential of the managed sub-accounts and potentially the death benefit.
Then whenever they are ready to withdraw an income from their annuity, they have the opportunity to select lifetime income payments. However, with [...]
Perhaps noments word is scarier to a fixed income investor than inflation – especially for those who depend on the yields from bond investments for their retirement income needs. For example, inflation can reduce the payout rate of bonds over the long-term, as the higher costs of living can often weaken the purchasing power of [...]
What Happens to Bondholders When a Company Goes Bankrupt?
Seniors and retirees like bond investments because they provide a steady income, diversify a stock portfolio, and are backed by the issuer’s financial strength. But things don’t always go as planned. Companies occasionally have financial problems and must file for bankruptcy as you well know.
Investors holding bonds in bankrupt [...]
Use of nontraditional mortgages has increased among home buyers, according to a Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive poll–could you benefit too?
There are four major types of non-traditional mortgages:
Interest-only mortgages, which have received considerable media attention as home prices have skyrocketed, allow borrowers to pay interest but no principal during the early years of the loan.
Piggyback [...]
In retirement you may want access to some or all of the cash in your senior life insurance policy. What are some of the ways to get at it?
All cash-value life insurance policies include a “surrender right,” which entitles you to give the policy back to the insurer for its current cash value if you [...]
Every year, millions of Americans file their 1040s and end up having to pay taxes; even after all possible deductions have been taken. Many are able to itemize, while others are eligible for dependent care credits, or above-the-line deductions for their retirement plan contributions. But those who have enjoyed short-term market gains or other investment [...]
Thinking about early retirement before you start collecting Social Security Benefits?
Doing so won’t reduce the benefit that you accrued before you stopped working—but it could produce a smaller benefit than your estimated benefits statement suggests. You should receive an estimated-benefits statement from the Social Security Administration each year. The benefits it projects assume that you continue working [...]
If you’re using I-Bonds to protect yourself from inflation, you know it can get tricky.
Series I-Bonds are Treasury-backed bonds designed to help protect investors from inflation. Like most Treasury bonds, they appeal to investors seeking the security of an investment backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. This, they are popular [...]
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