A new law was passed late last year which has significant impacts on retirement savings. The SECURE Act has a positive name, but not all changes are positive.
2019 returns were very strong across most asset classes, something not many expected at the beginning of the year. View six charts which capture the current market. As viewers of Hill Street Blues may remember - "Let's be careful out there."
This time of year can be busy. Try to find some peaceful moments... and be like a kid again.
A relatively quiet month on the surface as the market seems content with a Fed on hold (reinforced at Powell Congressional testimony mid-month), inflation and GDP solid but not hot, and trade negotiations moving along.
There are limits on the amount one can save in tax qualified accounts like 401(k)’s and IRA’s. For those age 50 and over (55 for HSAs) additional catch-up contributions are allowed. The IRS recently published the contribution limits for 2020. Check out the summary table compared to 2019 levels.
The economy is steady, the Fed is likely done for a while and trade negotiations are moving along. Stocks like it!
The 2020 inflation adjustments for Social Security are finalized. Benefits will increase 1.6% and the wage limit for FICA taxes will increase 3.6%. Medicare premiums for 2020 have not been officially announced but the spring Trustee report showed an expected increase of $8.80 per month.
Despite the continued themes of trade war and slowing growth – and a couple new shocks in September – the markets remain resilient through September but economic indicators bear watching.
The fall season brings us changing leaves, harvest, football - and the inflation adjustment for Social Security benefits and maximum salary subject to Social Security payroll taxes. The final CPI-W data point will be released October 10th but with 2 of the 3 data points known, an early estimate can be calculated.
When a corporate bond ETF has a higher YTD return than US small caps which returned close to 12%, you know rates are an important story.
Beyond investments, there are many risks one faces in their financial life - inflation, taxes and how long you live just to name a few. This post will discus various risks and things that can be done to reduce their impact.
What a boring month in the markets … except for the last afternoon! It was only boring because the past months have been so volatile. Based on the first two days of August, not so boring...