Market Insights

5 Facts You Might Not Know About Social Security

August 07, 2018Economy, Investing, Politics

Social Security pays benefits to children.
Social Security can pay benefits to parents
Widows’ and widowers’ payments can continue if remarriage occurs after age 60

Embedded thumbnail for Investment &amp; Economic Strategy Update: August 1, 2018

Investment & Economic Strategy Update: August 1, 2018

August 02, 2018

Wages are increasing & Job numbers are improving
US Economy continues to grow with no signs of a recession
Policies put in place under current administration are strengthening the US economy
Trade Wars or Tariffs don’t concern our strategy because Fair Trade is good for all
We recommend Emerging Markets and to stay out of developed Europe
Conservative accounts should hold cash while waiting for buying opportunities
We have reduced bond exposure across the board

Question: Equity Indexed Annuities . . . Good or Bad?

August 02, 2018

Investors are misled by the Annuity Charlatans with 6% returns & 10% bonuses
These annuities are designed to return maybe 1.5% over a 10 year rolling period
Do your homework! Don’t be suckered into the fake pot of money by a sales pitch

Details Emerge on Troubles at Wells Fargo Wealth Unit

July 30, 2018Business, Investing

Two whistleblower letters cited sales goals that led employees to push products with more fees
Financial advisors encouraged investors to move funds into products in order to generate extra fees, more revenue and larger bonuses

Embedded thumbnail for Investment &amp; Economic Strategy Update: July 26, 2018

Investment & Economic Strategy Update: July 26, 2018

July 27, 2018

Broad deal between US & EU reached to drop the tariffs in favor of fair trade
Eventually, trade deals with others will be reached strengthening the US economy
Just because the economy is good, doesn’t mean investments will skyrocket simultaneously
Emerging Market economies are performing well
Corporate earnings at record numbers - companies are growing & it's trickling down to the individual
We believe the strong economy will eventually translate into higher investment prices & should improve your investment account’s performance

Question: “Over-Invested in Bonds?”

July 27, 2018

When interest rates increase, bond values decrease
Bonds can change in value just like any other investment & aren’t as safe as everyone assumes
If US economy continues on its current course, those over-invested in bonds can receive poor returns or even significant losses
Just because you’re more conservative, owning an oversaturated bond portfolio in a Buy & Hold stock asset allocation is not an appropriate strategy

For more on Bonds, download our special report, “Beware of Bonds!”

If You're Worried about Social Security, Do These 4 Things Instead

July 24, 2018Investing, Politics

Social Security is facing an impending revenue shortage that will cause it to most likely deplete its trust funds by 2034 and will only manage to pay about 79% of its scheduled benefits unless Congress steps in and comes up with a fix
If you're an older worker who's concerned about Social Security, you may want to
- Build a Stronger Nest Egg
- Work Longer
- Plan to Work Part-time as a Senior
- Reduce Your Senior Living Costs

House Panel Passes Social Security Online Tools Act

July 19, 2018Investing, Politics

The bill requires the Social Security commissioner to make publicly available online tools allowing individuals that are eligible for disability benefits “to assess the impact of earnings on the individual’s eligibility for, and amount of, benefits received through federal and state benefit programs.”

Embedded thumbnail for Investment &amp; Economic Strategy Update: July 12, 2018

Investment & Economic Strategy Update: July 12, 2018

July 13, 2018

Overall, markets are slightly up halfway through the year

Less volatility than we saw in the 1^st quarter of 2018 & will continue to see normal volatility

The trade imbalance has been an issue for decades, Trump aims to resolve this to strengthen the US economy

Expect to see growth of the economy of over 3% on an average annual basis

We have reallocated our portfolios for increased growth in the 2^nd half of the year

After trimming bond exposure, we are holding more cash in conservative accounts, waiting for the next opportunity

Like what we see in the US economy and Emerging Markets, & have exited positions in Developed Markets like Europe

Embedded thumbnail for Question: &quot;Tariffs . . . Good or Bad?&quot;

Question: "Tariffs . . . Good or Bad?"