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Breaking Bad News To A Client About Prior Problematic Financial Decisions: Kitces & Carl 199

Breaking Bad News To A Client About Prior Problematic Financial Decisions: Kitces & Carl 199

When a financial advisor engages a new client, they are analyzing a lifetime’s worth of financial decisions that have brought the client to this point. While this often includes many great decisions, it is also likely that a client has mis-stepped along the way… or at minimum, made suboptimal decisions for their goals. Yet these […]

Michael Kitces
Don’t Roth All of Your 401(k) Money

Don’t Roth All of Your 401(k) Money

By The White Coat Investor, originally published at The White Coat Investor. By Jim Dahle, WCI Founder <!–Moderation in all things is a good way to live your life. This certainly applies to the Roth contribution/conversion dilemma, the most complicated question in personal finance and investing. Anyone who thinks this is an easy issue really […]

The White Coat Investor
What the Latest Social Security COLA Forecasts Mean for Your $2,000 Benefit in 2027

What the Latest Social Security COLA Forecasts Mean for Your $2,000 Benefit in 2027

Key Points The coming annual cost-of-living adjustment will be confirmed near the end of next month. Following last week’s release of August’s inflation data, a couple of forecasts for 2027’s COLA have recently been updated. The implied number is certainly close enough for Social Security recipients to start thinking about even before the official number […]

The Motley Fool
3 Medicare Misconceptions That Could Mess With Your Retirement Finances

3 Medicare Misconceptions That Could Mess With Your Retirement Finances

Key Points Don’t assume you won’t have to pay for Medicare. Know that the timing of your enrollment matters. Recognize that Medicare may not pay for all of the health services you need. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Once you turn 65, you may have a whole new option for […]

The Motley Fool
Managing Legacy Investments: 6 Best Practices To Reduce RIA Fiduciary And Compliance Risk

Managing Legacy Investments: 6 Best Practices To Reduce RIA Fiduciary And Compliance Risk

While financial advisors often have discretionary control over a client’s entire investment portfolio, sometimes new clients enter an advisory relationship with large, ‘legacy’ positions that they do not want (or are not able) to liquidate. For instance, the client might own a significant number of shares in a closely held business, hold a large position […]

Michael Kitces
This Trump Administration Policy Could Be a Backdoor Social Security Cut

This Trump Administration Policy Could Be a Backdoor Social Security Cut

Key Points Social Security is facing serious financial trouble in the coming years. A Trump administration policy moved up the date of trust fund depletion. The policy change could be a backdoor cut to Social Security by starving it of much-needed revenue. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Social Security is […]

The Motley Fool
Why Are Valuations Falling in a Bull Market?

Why Are Valuations Falling in a Bull Market?

By Ben Carlson, originally published at A Wealth of Common Sense. Some notable market moves we’ve experienced this year: Mortgage rates have gone from 6% to 7%. The 10 year Treasury yield has gone from 4% to 5%. The inflation rate was 2.4% earlier in the year. Now it’s 3.4%. Oil prices have shot up […]

Ben Carlson
Retiring With a Huge HSA Balance? Here’s an Important Rule to Know.

Retiring With a Huge HSA Balance? Here’s an Important Rule to Know.

Key Points HSAs make it easy to save for healthcare costs in a tax-friendly manner. Taking a non-medical HSA withdrawal can trigger a costly penalty. Once you reach a certain age, that penalty goes away. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you’re nearing retirement with a huge balance in your […]

The Motley Fool
What Was the Best Portfolio Over the Last 50 Years?

What Was the Best Portfolio Over the Last 50 Years?

By Nick Maggiulli, originally published at Of Dollars And Data. A few months ago, I analyzed U.S. stock returns over the last century. Today, I’m going to determine the best portfolio over the last 50 years among the following asset classes: U.S. Stocks International Stocks Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) U.S. Corporate Bonds 10-Year Treasury […]

Nick Maggiulli
Great News for Social Security Retirees: The 2027 COLA Will Most Likely Be the Highest in 4 Years

Great News for Social Security Retirees: The 2027 COLA Will Most Likely Be the Highest in 4 Years

Key Points Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment is determined by inflation data from July, August, and September. Retirees just received the second critical data point for the COLA. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Although inflation remains stubbornly high, Social Security retirees can take some solace in knowing they will likely […]

The Motley Fool