- Want the latest highlights in retirement news and indexed annuities? Enter your email in the signup box above to receive our quarterly IALC Insights Newsletter. Click below to browse our archives.
Tag Archives: Personal Finance
The Affordable Care Act and Your Investment Income
So how might you avoid having taxable income from the above sources push you over the income threshold, subjecting you to the 3.8% surtax? One strategy being used by savvy investors is to shift your investment strategy towards assets that provide more tax-efficiency and control, such as fixed, traditional, or indexed deferred annuities. Continue reading
Posted in In the News, Personal Finance
Leave a comment
It doesn’t have to be this way
One of the ways that many investors have chosen to add some balance to their financial plans, particularly in risky markets, is to consider a fixed indexed annuity. These products play an important role in a balanced retirement plan by providing principal protection, upside potential, guaranteed interest, and guaranteed income for life. Continue reading
Posted in Personal Finance
Leave a comment
How can I prepare for the “Fiscal Cliff?”
With huge spending cuts hitting Americans at the same time as tax hikes, the economy could contract, resulting in a recession and subsequent market volatility. Given this uncertain situation, it’s important for those in or nearing retirement to evaluate their risk tolerance and adjust their financial plan accordingly. Continue reading
Posted in In the News, Personal Finance
Leave a comment
How Younger Americans Differ in their Approach to Retirement
Is there a silver-lining to all of the economic turmoil Americans have faced in the past few years? One could argue that it taught younger Americans an important lesson – save! A recent Wall Street Journal article underscores this point, noting that as their parents lost jobs and homes and delayed retirement, these children are—in turn—boosting savings, cutting spending, and planning for retirement. According to a survey by TD Ameritrade, while 46% of people aged 48 to 66 have regular savings plans, the figure is nearly 60% for those aged 23 to 47. Continue reading
Posted in Planning for Retirement
Leave a comment
The very low risk of insurance company bankruptcy
When purchasing a financial product, one of the most important aspects to consider is the financial strength of the company from which you purchase the product. Insurance companies often have a leg up on this regard. Continue reading
Posted in In the News, Personal Finance, Product Features
Leave a comment
Getting close to retirement, but unsure if you can afford it?
Did you know that it takes 75% to 85% of your pre-retirement income in order to maintain your current lifestyle in retirement? What’s more—even though you don’t know how long you’re going to live—you should assume that you’ll need to have enough to live on for at least 25 to 30 years. Continue reading
Posted in In the News, Planning for Retirement
Leave a comment
Jobs Today Affect Retirement Tomorrow
Behind this short term struggle for jobs lies an even more serious long term demon: the need to amass adequate retirement savings, especially in light of the fact that the Medicare and Social Security safety nets may not exist in 20 or 30 years (see our April 25th post on Social Security below). Continue reading
Posted in Personal Finance
Leave a comment
Don’t count on an inheritance to boost retirement savings fund, study finds
As the United States faces increasingly uncertain economic times and employment outlook, working adults can no longer count on an inheritance to boost their retirement savings fund. A 2012 Allianz Life - American Legacies Study released this May suggests a shift in the attitudes of Baby Boomers (between 47 and 66) and Elders (72+). Both of these groups reported that family stories and heirlooms are their most important legacy – as opposed to a monetary inheritance, while only 20% of Elders said that they owe their children any inheritance at all. Continue reading
Posted in In the News, Planning for Retirement
Leave a comment
Indexed Annuities: The Basics
To help people like you understand the different product features of indexed annuities we’ve created this helpful video that explains the ins and outs of the indexed annuity product to give you the facts (without the sales pitch) so you can feel confident and assured in planning for your retirement. Continue reading
The Future of Social Security
A new government report says Social Security reserves could be exhausted by 2033. You can read more about the report in a Wall Street Journal article from Monday. We’ve seen concerns about the future of Social Security for years, and this report doesn’t exactly bring reassurance. It’s unclear if Social Security will support Americans’ retirement plans for the next generations in the way it has traditionally been used. So what does it all mean for consumers? Continue reading
Posted in In the News
Leave a comment