IN THIS ISSUE: 1. New Scams, Same Old Results 2. Ways to Help Avoid Investment Scams 3. Conclusions – Do Your Homework! Introduction Over the almost 10 years of writing this E-Letter, I have warned my readers about a wide variety of investment scams. Unfortunately, as the years go by the list of...
Despite the rally in stocks and other risky assets since March 9, many portfolios are still damaged from the events of the last few years. For those who are retired or near retirement, one step you have to take after such an event is to re-evaluate your retirement plan, especially your spending. Specifically...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
09-03-2009
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Filed under: Carlson, Bob Carlson, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, portfolio theory
Hedge funds used to occupy a small, obscure part of the investment world. They were out of the public eye; few investors even knew about them. Regulators ignored them, as a matter of law. Gradually hedge funds became more prominent. A few of the pioneers of the business became billionaires, drawing attention...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
07-23-2009
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Filed under: Carlson, Bob Carlson, financial crisis, stock, stock market, investments, market timing, modern portfolio theory, portfolio theory, market indicators, hedge funds
Many people own substantial IRAs and have the bulk of their investment portfolios in IRAs. Some of these investors might not realize there are investments that are prohibited from IRAs and others are allowed but incur tax penalties. The issue of how to invest an IRA is more important in today's climate...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
04-03-2009
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Filed under: Bob Carson, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, real estate, retirement plan, retirement, retirement plans, employer stock, stock, selling a business, small business, stocks, investments, portfolios
The net worth of Americans is declining. That is no secret, though the extent of the decline will surprise many. The decline has affected and will continue to affect the economy, stock market, and your portfolio. The Federal Reserve gives a picture of the net worth of Americans every quarter, in a report...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
02-27-2009
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Filed under: Bob Carson, Carlson, Bob Carlson, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, indicators, market timing, modern portfolio theory, portfolio theory, market indicators
There is at least one silver lining in today's dark clouds—estate planning opportunities are being created. Falling market prices and low interest rates are a great combination for estate planners. If the price depression of the assets is temporary, there is the potential to transfer significant...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
02-13-2009
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Filed under: Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, estate taxes, grandkids, real estate, annual exclusion, grandchildren, financial crisis, stock, stocks, investments, portfolios
Major structural changes have occurred in the economy and markets, and more changes are on the way. The failure of Lehman Brothers was a watershed event. Investors stopped making even routine transactions, bailing out of even money market funds. The effects froze the economy and greatly worsened the...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
02-10-2009
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Filed under: Bob Carson, Carlson, Bob Carlson, iras, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, market timing, modern portfolio theory, portfolio theory, market indicators, income investing
For the two lowest tax brackets, the tax rate in 2008 through 2010 is 0% for qualified dividends and long-term capital gains. This compares to the 15% top rate others will pay on those types of income. Single taxpayers with taxable income up to around $33,000 and married couples filing jointly with taxable...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
01-30-2009
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Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, trusts, estate taxes, grandkids, grandchildren, retirement, stock, stocks, investments, portfolios
Update Dec. 19: On Dec. 11 Congress passed legislation that suspended the required minimum distribution requirement for 2009. But it did not change the requirement for 2008. the IRS was asked by members of Congress to suspend the requirement for 2008. But on Dec. 17 it sent a letter to key members of...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
12-05-2008
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Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, market timing
Come January, Democrats will be in charge all over Washington. They campaigned on a theme of change, and we should expect major changes. The questions are which changes and how will they affect your retirement finances? I will focus on the changes I think are most likely to occur. When evaluating the...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
11-07-2008
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Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, estates, Estate tax, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, estate taxes, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, market timing, market indicators
The current financial crisis and market panic demonstrate why most of the investment plans for those in or near retirement are wrong. There are better ways to manage retirement money, but you will not learn about them from conventional advisors and sources. Most retirement investment plans generally...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
10-24-2008
Filed under:
Filed under: Bob Carson, Carlson, Bob Carlson, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, investments, portfolios, indicators, market timing, modern portfolio theory, portfolio theory, market indicators, income investing