“Slow and steady wins the race” is an idiom we’ve all heard. But you probably haven’t thought to apply it to planning for retirement. Taking a slower, more consistent approach often leads to a better outcome. It’s easy to forget this, and to take risks in an attempt to catch up. That’s not necessary. Remaining cautious with your retirement strategy and making sure you know all your possible options is important. Reach out to us to learn more. 

We’ve received questions from some of our clients asking what a hike in the Fed rate means to them. As a result, we reached out to an investment strategist to see what they said. “This year’s expected series of rate hikes, the first since 2015, marks the beginning of Fed Policy normalization. But it also has increased market volatility and changed sector leadership so far this year.” This opinion is consistent with others’ views that this will likely mean more volatility and pressure in market valuations. If this is of concern to you, call us. We can tell you about

Last week many people heard about the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System losing more than $3 million when it sold off its direct investments in a Russian Bank. (read more here) However, they aren’t the only pension funds in possible trouble. Many state pension funds have Russian financial holdings. “Pensions in the U.S. and around the world hold Russian stocks in their international equities portfolios, with the holdings making up perhaps 1% of total pension assets.” According to the Wall Street Journal.  The article goes on to state “Retirement systems divesting from Russia can expect to sell at a significant loss,

With news reports saying the markets are nearing “bear market territory,” people are starting to ask us what that actually means. Let’s start with definitions: “A bear market is when a market experiences prolonged price declines. It typically describes a condition in which securities prices fall 20% or more.” “Bear markets also may accompany general economic downturns such as a recession.”  How does that affect you? It depends on where your savings are. If you have invested directly in the stock market, you are at risk for this type of decline in the value of your portfolio. On the other

There are many factors to understanding whether you are on track to meet your financial goals for retirement. These not only include what you have set aside in savings and investments, but your rate of return, and inflation. If factors you can’t control such as the market or inflation have undermined where you thought you were, we may have a new option to help you get back on track. Check out this Forbes Investment Calculator, it may help.

We often think of retirement in terms of years. We think about how there isn’t enough time left in our lives to do all the things we planned on doing. That same thought of ‘not enough time left’ also comes to mind when we lose some of our life savings. Those who were handling it will respond by saying “Over time, things will change, and you will probably get it back.” But, just how long is “Over time?” When does that timeline begin, when will you have “Probably” made back those losses? And how much can you depend on that

We’ve all read so many articles reminding us to start early with our retirement savings. But, considering all of the different financial obligations that seem to happen along the way, some of them expected and some not, sometimes retirement sneaks up on you. Before you know it, you may realize you’re only five to ten years away from it. What should you do? Two recommendations certainly come to mind: 1) Meet with a financial professional  2) Adjust your asset allocation We are financial professionals, and are here to help you, no matter your stage of planning. Reach out to us.