Alternative Assets 101
A term we like to use here at iPlanGroup is “alternative asset class.” When we use it in front of our clients we often get blank stares, even in front of very seasoned investors! An alternative asset can be difficult to define: basically, it is not a direct, fixed or equity claim on…
How New Recommendations Can Wreck Your Retirement Savings
Fidelity recently released new rules and recommendations for retirement. Although some of the recommendations are really helpful as a barometer for retirement, there are quite a few assumptions Fidelity makes on your behalf- and you know what assuming does. It is important to remember that these recommendations are generalizations created for a large…
Just Starting Out? 4 Tips to Start Thinking About Retirement
It may seem strange to suggest that young people new to the workforce start planning for retirement- but especially as Social Security, pension plans and employer-match programs continue to dry up, planning early and revisiting your plan often is absolutely necessary. So even if you’re quite young, or have a young person in…
The Fiscal Cliff: How It Could Affect Your Retirement
As lawmakers struggle to come to a consensus about the federal budget, concessions are being thrown around Capitol Hill in an effort to strike a deal. One of the many compromises being discussed are major changes to the federal tax code. Just how much of the tax code could be changed is unclear;…
The First Steps to a SDIRA
At the beginning of the month we hosted the OREIA conference. We met with many eager investors and potential investors who wanted more information about self-directed IRAs and retirement accounts. Almost every single person had the same question: How much do I need to know about investing to open a SDIRA? The answer isn’t…
Do You Know Your Limits? Facts You MUST Know About 401k Contribution Limits
It’s that time of year again: as we come to the close of 2012, the focus is all about how to cut taxes. Did you know that one of the best ways to reduce your taxable income is to put a little more in your 401(k)? Of course, to steer clear of any…
The Cold, Hard Facts About Planning for Retirement
According to Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economics at the New School for Social Research, 75 percent of Americans come into retirement age with less than $30,000 in retirement savings. In addition, 49 percent of the middle class will rely on a food budget of about $5 a day in retirement. Although most Americans have…
Where Do They Stand ?: The Presidential Candidates and Retirement
With Election Day right around the corner, knowing where the candidates stand on retirement is crucial to making informed decisions about the candidate that best protects your interests. President Obama’s lead has narrowed since the first debate, but Medicare is still one of the areas in which he still comes out on…
The Pension Funding Gap
With states and local governments still making painful financial cuts, it is becoming more and more clear that robust pensions are a thing of the past. 5.7% of state and local taxes and fees are allocated to pensions, and that could rise drastically if governments are to keep up with current pension…
On the Go? A Quick FAQ For Savvy Investors with Busy Lives
Q: What is a self-directed IRA? A self-directed IRA is an individual retirement account that allows account holders a wider choice of investments, including but not limited to, traditional options such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Many SDIRAs include real estate. SDIRAs must be opened at financial institutions with trust powers…
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