The Facebook Frenzy Is Building. Should You Care?
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
Anticipation is high. Facebook filed an S-1 form with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, taking its first big step toward going public. It aims to raise $5 billion through its upcoming IPO. The Google IPO raised $1.9 billion, and this IPO could potentially dwarf that.
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Are People REALLY Retiring Later?
Monday, January 23rd, 2012
True or false? You may have heard this claim before (or something like it): Many Americans are being forced to retire later because their savings and investments took a hit in the Great Recession.
Recently, a big-name economist disputed that belief. In a commentary for Bloomberg, former White House budget director Peter Orszag wrote that some of the statistics dont seem to back up this conventional wisdom, but perhaps it all depends on which statistics you cite.
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Is Now The Time To Refinance Your Mortgage?
Friday, January 20th, 2012
Mortgages are cheaper than ever. Economists and real estate analysts who predicted lower interest rates were not disappointed; the earliest numbers from 2012 have reached an all-time low, leading a number of homeowners to consider their options.
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Starting Off 2012 On the Right Foot
Monday, January 9th, 2012
Every year brings some financial change, so here are some relevant changes relating to investment, tax and estate planning for 2012. As you strive to contribute as much as you comfortably can to these accounts this year, you will probably notice some changes with the retirement plan at your workplace.
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Wow…The Payroll Tax Cut Has Been Extended For Two Whole Months
Monday, December 26th, 2011
A last-minute gift to 160 million Americans. On December 23, Congress approved a 2-month extension of the payroll tax holiday that President Obama quickly signed into law. So we will not see shrunken paychecks come January. The new law also extends long-term unemployment benefits through February 29 and authorizes a 2-month reprieve on pay cuts to doctors by Medicare.
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What Do You Do When An Account Owner Passes Away?
Monday, December 19th, 2011
If your loved ones have invested, saved or insured themselves to any degree, you may be named as a beneficiary to one or more of their accounts, policies or assets in the event of their deaths. While we all hope that day never comes, we do need to know what to do financially if and when it does.
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Will The Payroll Tax Cut Survive? Could It? Should It?
Monday, December 5th, 2011
There is hope yet that this big tax break will return in 2012. While a pair of bills designed to extend the payroll tax holiday stalled in the Senate on December 1, a bipartisan effort could take place to save the tax cut that amounts to roughly $900 a year for the average U.S. household. It may not be taken for granted as much as the annual AMT patch, but it seems unlikely any Congress would want be remembered for ending such a big tax break for Main Street in such a tepid economy.
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The (Anything BUTT) Super Committee’s Epic Failure – What This Might Mean For The Economy & The Markets
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011
Congress punts on third down. Unable to reach consensus, the Congressional super committee of 12 offered America a disappointing result Monday. As the super committee failed to create a plan to trim $1.2 trillion or more from the federal deficit, that sets things up for an automatic $1.2 trillion in cuts effective over a 10-year stretch beginning January 2, 2013.
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Could Big Changes Be Coming to Your 401(k)?
Monday, November 14th, 2011
Our federal government needs to reduce its massive deficit – and among the many revenue-generating ideas being discussed in Congress, two in particular could have disturbing consequences for employees saving for retirement.
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Your Annual Financial To-Do List – Things YOU Can Do Before & For 2012
Monday, November 7th, 2011
The end of the year is a good time to review your personal finances. What are your financial, business or life priorities for 2012? Try to specify the goals you want to accomplish. Think about the consistent investing, saving or budgeting methods you could use to realize them. Also, consider these year-end moves.
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Obama’s New Debt Relief Initiatives
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011
President Obama has just announced two initiatives to try and ease debt burdens for Americans – moves that some view as election-minded appeals to the younger and middle-class voters that backed him wholeheartedly in 2008. With the American Jobs Act having stalled in the Senate, it isn’t surprising that these changes are coming through executive branch measures rather than proposed legislation. When put into play, will these two ideas have a meaningful economic impact? Let’s take a closer look at them…
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Another Recession? NOT!
Monday, October 24th, 2011
This year, assorted economists and journalists have contended that the U.S. is on the edge of a new recession. Yet recent indicators hint that the economy is doing a bit better than some analysts think. The continued vitality in consumer spending and other encouraging factors points to a recovery. It may seem unimpressive or frustrating, but it doesn’t indicate a recession.
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Stocks in the 4th Quarter
Monday, October 10th, 2011
Will the Street put its anxieties aside? Right now, you have a lot of uncertainty. Many analysts see a stock market unimpressed by tepid domestic growth and waiting fearfully for the other shoe to drop (meaning Greece). They see more pain ahead for U.S. investors. On the other hand, there is also talk of when a point of capitulation might be reached, i.e., is Wall Street simply ready to rally even in the face of the debt troubles in Europe and the slow recovery here.
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How Does Greece Impact Me?
Monday, September 26th, 2011
Many economists think a Greek default is inevitable. As we enter 4Q 2011, Greece has a debt-to-GDP ratio of about 160% (and that percentage is rising). While Greece accounts for less than 3% of Eurozone GDP, ripples from a Greek default could strain the European banking sector and global financial markets. Struggling for the best worst-case scenario. Greece is redoing its financial system, but it is still facing one of five potential (and painful) outcomes…
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401(k)s & IRAs: PHASE-OUTS & CONTRIBUTION LIMITS
Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
Will phase-outs affect your IRA contributions? Highly paid employees who contribute to workplace retirement plans can’t always maximize their IRA deductions. That is because of IRS phase-outs that kick in at certain modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) levels. A 2011 example. This year, you could contribute up to $5,000 to a traditional or Roth IRA ($6,000 if you were 50 or older). Yet if you were covered by a retirement plan at work, your contribution to a traditional IRA was reduced if your MAGI was…
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Debt Deal, Downgrade, Dow Drop … Where Have We Landed?
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011
August 2011 is on pace to become the roughest and most volatile month for the stock market in almost three years. Where exactly will this correction bottom out? How long will buyers stay on the sidelines?
Two crucial questions await answers – but before turning to those questions, consider the developments that really hurt equities in the middle of August.
Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase forecasts depressed investors. On August 18, Morgan Stanley said it had cut its global growth forecasts, citing “policy errors” on the part of the U.S. and European Union. It now anticipates global growth of 3.9% for 2011 (down from the previous estimate of 4.2%) and it sees the global economy expanding by 3.8% in 2012 (down from its previous forecast of 4.5%). JPMorgan Chase revised its 4Q 2011 U.S. GDP projection down to 1.0% from the previous 2.5% on August 19; on the same day, Goldman Sachs cut its …
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Time To Invest More In Stocks?
Monday, August 15th, 2011
“The lower things go, the more I buy.” The legendary Warren Buffett said those words on August 9 in a chat with Fortune. Buffett is a buy-and-hold kind of guy, and even if you don’t buy into his approach, you have to admit stocks are cheap in the wake of the recent correction. For many investors, a downturn like this means picking up quality stocks at markdown prices, including dividend-paying stocks.
Just how cheap are stocks in August? We have some compelling valuations out there. Just to give you some idea of where the broad market is at, the 12-month forward equity earnings yield of the MSCI World Index (according to Reuters) was just above 10% on August 12. This was the highest earnings yield since January 2009 – and more than five times the yield of the 10-year Treasury in mid-August.
Domestically, Capital IQ data from August 12 shows that stocks in the …
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S&P Downgrades U.S.
Monday, August 8th, 2011
Unprecedented and unsettling. Standard & Poor’s issued a historic downgrade of U.S. debt on August 5, sensibly waiting until the market week had concluded to send a shock wave toward global investors. It reduced America’s long-term debt rating – which had been AAA since 1941 – to AA+.
S&P felt Congress did too little too late. The credit rating agency had threatened to lower the boom if Congress passed any deficit reduction plan smaller than $4 trillion in scope. The Budget Control Act of 2011 “falls short of what, in our view, would be necessary to stabilize the government’s medium-term debt dynamics,” an S&P statement noted. It also retained its “negative” credit outlook on the U.S.
S&P is also skeptical that the federal government can collect more money from taxpayers. Its analysts do not think the Bush-era tax cuts will sunset at the end of 2012 “because the majority of Republicans in Congress …
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The Best (and Worst) States To Be Financially
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011
Do you live in one of the worst tax states for retirees? Are you fortunate enough to live in one of the best states to do business? Here is a roundup of the miscellaneous, fascinating rankings offered by leading magazines and websites.
What are the best (and worst) states for business? Well, CNBC has ranked all 50 states based on 43 criteria including quality of work force, cost of doing business, quality of life, state economies and access to capital. Coming in at #1: Virginia. Number two is Texas, number three is North Carolina. The state with the lowest cost of doing business – Iowa – ranked 9th. The bottom three? Hawaii (48th), Alaska (49th) and … Rhode Island? Yes, it was dead last. CNBC cited its 10.9% jobless rate and a corporate tax rate nearly as high.
What are the best (and worst) tax states for retirees? Kiplinger sees four “tax hells” in …
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Women & Retirement Perceptions
Monday, July 25th, 2011
In January 2011, Merrill Lynch released the results of a survey asking baby boomers with $250,000+ in investable assets about their retirement hopes. There were some interesting across-the-board findings – 70% of those polled expected to work at least part-time, and 84% felt their retirements would be more comfortable and dynamic than those of their parents. Yet it was the collective response of women in the 1,000-investor study that drew the most attention.
Women envision a very active retirement. Volunteering and travel registered as major priorities for women, more so than for men: 64% of women said they wanted to get more involved in their communities, 62% planned to devote more time to philanthropy, and 86% planned to travel when retired. Additionally, 14% of the women surveyed said that they wanted to start a business after their careers ended.
Women are more concerned than men about running out of money. While 52% of male respondents …
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The D Word That Haunts Wall Street
Tuesday, July 5th, 2011
When will the debt ceiling issue be solved? The NFL, the NBA, the EU, Congress … wherever you look, it seems people would rather wrangle these days than resolve their differences. The U.S. Treasury has set a hard deadline of August 2 for Congress to settle its divide on the federal debt ceiling, and if partisan bickering interferes, the world economy could suffer a severe hit.
What would happen if we miss the deadline? According to federal budget analysts at the Bipartisan Policy Center, the Treasury would only be able to make a slight majority of its 80 million monthly payments in August. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner would likely be put in the same position as a struggling consumer low on cash and behind on his bills: he would have to selectively decide which debts to pay for the month and which to ignore.
Should August 2 come and go without a solution, Congress’s inaction (and Geithner’s subsequent decisions) would have dramatic global repercussions. Most likely, his …
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The Current CD Quandary – Today’s Yield Can’t Beat Inflation
Monday, June 20th, 2011
CD investors are effectively losing money. According to Market Rates Insight, a research firm tracking bank rates, annualized inflation has surpassed long-term certificate of deposit rates since February. In April, 12-month inflation hit 3.16% while the highest-yielding 5-year callable CD on the market offered a 2.4% interest rate. May’s Consumer Price Index put annualized inflation at 3.6%; as of mid-June, the highest-yielding nationally available 5-year CD was at 3.05% APY.
Still, the Federal Reserve found that almost $9 trillion of American wealth was held in CDs, bank accounts and various FDIC-insured products as of April.
It’s a case of déjà vu. This is the second time in recent history that CD investors have been punished for assuming so little risk. During the period from January-July 2008, the negative yield on 5-year CDs was 1.8% according to MRI.
They might come out ahead … should inflation diminish. As Bankrate.com senior financial analyst Greg McBride reminded Bloomberg, “Investing in a CD isn’t compensating you for last year’s inflation; it’s …
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4 Reasons For Optimism
Monday, June 13th, 2011
When was the last time the Dow took a six-week tumble? On June 10, the Dow dipped below 12,000 and posted its sixth straight weekly decline. You have to go back to October 2002 to find a Dow losing streak that long. If you’re hearing bearish groans in the distance, you’re not alone: the bears are making their voices heard as the Dow is down almost 7% from where it was at the end of April.
June certainly has been tough on Wall Street, with the bulk of economic indicators flashing a slowdown. However, there is reason to think the third and fourth quarters of 2011 may be better for stocks – in fact, that’s what many analysts believe.
Q2 earnings projections are quite good. Investment research firm FactSet finds that despite the losing streak, aggregate Q2 S&P 500 earnings estimates are basically unchanged from late May. The collective forecast projects a 14.6% growth in earnings for the quarter and a 10.4% jump in revenues. (That double-digit revenue …
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Retirement Expert Bill Losey Interviewed By Bloomberg TV On The Pros & Cons Of Long Term Care Planning
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
In this video interview with Bloomberg TV, I share reasons why someone like you may or may not want to consider long-term care insurance.
CLICK HERE
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A Woman’s Financial Reality – Your Financial Future Is Up To You & No One Else
Monday, June 6th, 2011
Will this be your future? Did you know that Social Security income represents two-thirds of income for women 65 and older? Did you know that without Social Security, an estimated 58% of widows aged 65 and older would live in poverty?
These findings are from a 2010 U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee report. As Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) put it, “Social Security is literally a lifeline for most elderly women.”
That lifeline is barely adequate. With inflation and other economic pressures, a mature woman relying on SSI may eventually have to choose between food or medicine, or rent or car repair, or contend with other stressful money dilemmas.
When these women were younger, did they envision such a meager future ahead of them? Probably not. More than a few probably wish they had understood money matters better or actively invested for retirement.
How much do you know about personal finance? The more knowledge you have, the …
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The Debate About Our Debt Ceiling
Thursday, May 12th, 2011
Congress must think (and act) fast. In the middle of May, the national debt limit of $14.3 trillion will be reached. This means the federal government must increase the debt ceiling sufficiently to cover U.S. obligations through the end of 2012. It will undoubtedly happen, but not before a loud round of partisan politics is finished.
What does the public think? In April, a CBS News poll showed that 63% of Americans opposed raising the debt ceiling. Polls often ask simple yes-or-no questions, and the respondents may not have understood the consequences here. If the debt ceiling isn’t raised, America will end up defaulting.
What would default mean? Picture something like the Wall Street downturn of 2008-2009 happening again … but in a broader context.
As Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner explained succinctly in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), a default would mean that “the Treasury would be prevented by law from borrowing in order …
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Will Gas Hit $5 or $6 A Gallon? When Will We See Relief?
Monday, April 25th, 2011
How high will pump prices go this summer? Many analysts think we will pay $5 a gallon for gas this summer – and some think gas will cost much more than that. On April 20, the AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report had regular unleaded averaging more than $4 per gallon in six states – Hawaii, California, Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois and New York.
Is collusion behind this, or simple economics? While the Justice Department has announced a task force to investigate fraud and manipulation in the oil industry, most economists see this as little more than a public relations move coming out of the Obama administration – the U.S. had no way to control global price pressures on oil in 1979 and it has no way to control the price of the commodity in 2011.
One of the biggest influences on oil and gas prices can be found in your wallet: the U.S. dollar.
Commodities are priced in U.S. …
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How To Build Good Credit (and Improve Your Credit Score)
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
740 is the new 720. If you want to refinance or buy a home or pass muster with a lender, a landlord, an insurer or even a possible employer, it will help to have a credit score of 740 or better. While the median FICO score in America is still 720, many lenders have now set the bar 20 points higher.
Fannie Mae has also raised its requirements: FNMA used to request that you had a credit score of at least 580, and now you need a 620 or higher.
Fair Isaac, the credit rating agency behind the FICO score, says that 13% of Americans have credit scores of 800 or better. You may not, and if your score is nowhere near that lofty mark, here are the steps toward possibly improving it.
First, look at your credit reports. Go to annualcreditreport.com – a free, centralized online service created by Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – and request a …
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2 Reasons NOT To Take Early Withdrawals From Your Retirement Accounts
Monday, April 11th, 2011
There are times when people really need money – and in those times, a retirement account may seem like a conveniently liquid resource to tap. What’s the harm in taking an early distribution from a tax-deferred retirement plan? Well, the tax bite could be considerable.
Big taxes may await you. If you are younger than 59½, working, and you withdraw funds from your 401(k) or IRA just as you would from a bank account, you might really feel the pain next April. An early distribution from an IRA or a qualified retirement plan must usually be included in your taxable income. So your federal tax bill could balloon for the year in which you take the distribution. (If you take an early distribution from a Roth IRA, you won’t be taxed on the amount of your contributions. Any amount above that which is attributable to the Roth IRA’s earnings will be subject to tax.)
An …
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March in Review
Thursday, April 7th, 2011
Would you believe the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed to eke out a gain in March? It rose 0.76% on the month, even as a plethora of troubling headlines rocked the world and Wall Street. At home, the unemployment rate was descending and consumers increased their spending (though mainly in response to higher energy and food costs), and the service and manufacturing sectors kept growing. The newest real estate reports showed home sales and home prices headed south. Oil went above $100 a barrel, gold prices increased and silver prices matched 30-year peaks.
DOMESTIC ECONOMIC HEALTH
The unemployment rate fell to 8.8% in March – a full percentage point below where it had been in November. The jobless rate hadn’t been so low since April 2009. According to the Commerce Department, personal spending rose 0.7% for February – but there was an asterisk. Prices rose 0.4% last month as measured by the PCE index, …
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April Is Near. Keep Your IRA In Mind!
Monday, March 14th, 2011
Many of us associate April with taxes. We should also associate it with IRAs, for April is the month with the deadlines for IRA contributions and mandatory IRA withdrawals.
The deadline for your 2010 IRA contribution is April 18, 2011. Yes, April 18. This year, April 15 falls on a holiday in the District of Columbia (Emancipation Day). So you get a little extra time to make your 2010 contribution if you (still) haven’t done so.
For tax years 2010 and 2011, you can contribute up to $5,000 to your IRA. If you have multiple IRAs, you can contribute up to a total of $5,000 across the various accounts. (If you earn a lot of money, your maximum contribution to a Roth IRA may be reduced because of MAGI phase-outs.)
If you turned 50 in 2010, your IRA contribution limit for 2010 is $6,000. If you will celebrate your 50th birthday during 2011, your 2011 contribution limit …
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The Top 10 Reasons NOT To Plan For Retirement
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011
You probably read or hear about some “Top Ten” list nearly every day. But take a moment to read this one. This list is different, and probably not the kind of list you’d expect a Financial Advisor to post.
Reason #10: “I’m too busy”
I can’t tell you how often I hear this excuse. So many people want to plan for a better retirement, but they don’t have time. They think they’ll take care of it tomorrow, or the day after that … and before they know it, several years have gone by. The best advice I can give you is to stop procrastinating and start planning today.
Reason #9: “It’s too soon”
I don’t know how this happened, but many people have adopted the notion that you don’t have to start planning for your retirement until you’re almost there. This is totally incorrect. The truth is, the sooner you start planning, the better chance …
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Bye Bye Fannie & Freddie?
Monday, February 14th, 2011
A fundamental reform for the housing market. For two-and-a-half years, economists and housing industry analysts have wondered what would happen with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. On February 11, they got an answer: the Obama administration announced plans to shut down both of the troubled mortgage giants by 2018 or sooner.
As he met with the press, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner cited the “very broad consensus” that the government should play “a much smaller role” in the housing market. Capitol Hill Republicans would agree, pointing to the $154 billion price tag for the 2008 bailout of both firms. (That is the Treasury’s estimate.)
The choices on the table. The Obama administration’s white paper offers three proposals to Congress, with the hope of legislation emerging by 2014.
- Option 1. The government walks away from the mortgage market except for the FHA, VHA and a few other programs designed to help low-income and moderate-income homebuyers.
- Option 2. The government offers a …
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Unrest In Egypt – What Does It Mean For The Markets?
Monday, January 31st, 2011
Will the Mubarak government be toppled? Egyptians took to the streets in Cairo and other major cities Friday, facing riot squads and armored personnel carriers as they demanded political reforms and an end to the 30-year rule of the country’s president, Hosni Mubarak.
The Mubarak government shut down the nation’s internet providers and mobile phone network and imposed a nationwide nightly curfew within a 36-hour period Thursday and Friday. In response, a huge crowd surrounded the Cairo headquarters of Mubarak’s National Democratic Party (which was set on fire) and the nation’s key radio and television headquarters. Great Britain’s Telegraph reported that 870 in the crowd suffered injuries, with some protestors being shot.
How did the markets interpret the turmoil? The reaction was as expected: stocks dived, oil and gold prices immediately climbed and there was renewed interest in the dollar and U.S. government bonds.
Gold gained $22.30 (1.69%) on the COMEX, while oil rose $3.70 (4.32%) on …
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Giggin’ It As A NY Lounge Lizard
Friday, January 21st, 2011
Here’s a great profile piece on me (aka The New York Lounge Lizards). When I’m not helping people make smart decisions with their money, this is how I love to spend my free time…singing! Enjoy!
Click here to read the full article.
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What Factors Need To Be In Place For Jobs & Housing To Improve
Monday, January 10th, 2011
It really boils down to the two greatest economic factors of all: supply and demand.
What needs to happen in the labor market? Ideally, a swift rise in consumer demand for goods and services in 2011 spurs businesses to hire, with no need for another costly federal stimulus. About 125,000 people enter the U.S. labor force every month, so job creation needs to hit that level just to tread water in terms of employment–to-population ratio. Data from the Brookings Institution shows that 280,000 new positions emerged monthly at the peak of job creation in the 2000s. Back in 1994, the economy was creating an average of 321,000 new jobs a month.
As 2010 drew to a close, our economy wasn’t anywhere near that. According to the Labor Department, 71,000 new non-farm jobs were created in November and 103,000 new non-farm jobs in December. Last month, the government said that private payrolls grew …
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Financial & Retirement Resolutions for 2011
Friday, December 31st, 2010
Whether you’re in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, or 60’s, here are the things you should focus on in 2011 to build your net worth and self worth. Enjoy!
Click here to read the full article.
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Investor Alert – The New IRS Reporting Rules
Monday, November 22nd, 2010
Are you going to purchase stocks in 2011? If your answer to that question is “yes’, there’s an important IRS rule change you should know about.
If you buy a stock in 2011, your broker must report the gain or loss when you sell it. In fact, this will be true for the following investment classes as of the following dates:
· Individual stocks you buy after January 1, 2011
· Mutual fund shares you buy after January 1, 2012
· Bonds, options & other securities you buy after January 1, 2013
Prior to 2011, reporting the gain or loss triggered by the sale of an investment was your responsibility – but the IRS wasn’t satisfied with that.
It’s all about the cost basis. To properly tax your investment when it is sold, the IRS has to know what you initially paid for it. In financial jargon, this acquisition price is known as the cost basis.
It isn’t always easy …
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We’re All In This Together
Monday, November 15th, 2010
Retirement Expert Bill Losey talks with Business Examiner on how companies and employees can work together so folks like you won’t run out of money in retirement.
Click here to read the full article.
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Retirement Expert Bill Losey Interviewed by Newsweek
Thursday, November 11th, 2010
On the heels of one of the country’s worst economic crises, future retirees are facing far grimmer golden years. Here are 5 things you should know before you retire.
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Retirement Expert Bill Losey Interviewed by The New York Times
Monday, November 8th, 2010
Should you payoff your mortgage early? Should you invest your money rather than pre-pay? In this article for the New York Times, I share my feelings.
Click here to read the article
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Bill Losey singing Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” – Acoustic Version
Monday, November 1st, 2010
My friend and I had our first paid singing gig Friday night. We got to sing over 40 different songs during our three hour set. This is one of my personal favorites. Enjoy!
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My Take On The Mid-Term Elections & Stocks
Monday, October 18th, 2010
You may have heard that stocks tend to rally in fall and winter. That has often been the case. In fact, the S&P 500 and the Dow have gained repeatedly after the elections occurring in the third year of a first-term presidency.
These elections seem to elate Wall Street. While past performance is no indication of future success, consider this: Wall Street has witnessed rallies after every mid-term election since 1942.
The Leuthold Group, a Minneapolis-based investment research firm, has determined that the S&P 500 has gained an average of 18.3% in the 200 days following such elections. Widening the window of time, Goldman Sachs finds that the S&P has averaged an 18.1% advance during the 12 months following each of the 15 mid-term elections since 1950. (The gain averages 11.0% when control of Congress changes hands.)
Consider another intriguing statistic regarding mid-term election years: in the five instances since 1942 when an incumbent first-term president was a Democrat, the S&P 500 has gained an average of 21.3% …
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Bill Losey Sings Before 1,000+ At Saratoga State Park
Monday, October 4th, 2010
As you may know, I love to sing. This past weekend I had the honor and privilege to perform before 1,000+ people attending the camporee celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. There was a huge conga line, a beach ball flying through the air, a mosh pit and people asking for an encore. Now I know how “real” rock stars must feel. It was pretty cool. Listen in as I sing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The U.S.A.” and Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World”. Enjoy!
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Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP Interviewed By Human Resource Executive Online on 401(k)s
Monday, October 4th, 2010
Defined-contribution-plan participants say they are confused by their retirement plans and would welcome financial advice, but few take advantage of online tools when offered by employers. Bill Losey and others offer some advice on how to engage workers to take action to positively impact their retirement savings.
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6 Ways To Reduce & Eliminate Your Debt
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
Retirement expert Bill Losey, CFP dishes out advice to get rid of that pesky debt once and for all. Listen here to his recent interview from the “On The Money” radio program.
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Bill Losey Featured on KMOX-AM
Thursday, September 16th, 2010
“America’s Retirement Strategist” Bill Losey, featured on KMOX-AM to share some free advice on managing your 401k.
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The Social Security Dilemma
Tuesday, September 14th, 2010
In this video lesson, retirement expert and Retire in a Weekend! author, Bill Losey, CFP, answers the question: “Should I Take Social Security At Age 62 or Wait?”
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The Media & Why Stock Market Predictions DON’T Work
Monday, August 30th, 2010
Wall Street trader’s are coming back from vacation next week. The media says we should prepare for another stock market sell-off. Do they know something we don’t know? In this video lesson, retirement expert and Retire in a Weekend! author, Bill Losey, CFP, sets the record straight.
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Should I Get Out Of Debt Before Saving For Retirement?
Monday, August 16th, 2010
In a followup to last weeks video lesson, retirement expert and Retire in a Weekend! author, Bill Losey, CFP, addresses the great debt reduction versus retirement savings debate.
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Should I Invest in my 401k, my IRA, or Contribute to Both?
Monday, August 9th, 2010
In this video lesson, retirement authority and Retire in a Weekend! author, Bill Losey, CFP, addresses a common retirement savings and investing dilemma.
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Can I Avoid the 10% IRS Penalty?
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
In this short video, retirement advisor and Retire in a Weekend! author, Bill Losey, CFP, explains a few ways (exceptions) you can take money out of your IRA before age 59 1/2 and avoid the 10% IRS early withdrawal penalty.
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Should I Make My IRA & 401(k) Retirement Rollover Accounts More Conservative?
Monday, July 26th, 2010
In this video, retirement expert and Retire in a Weekend! author, Bill Losey, CFP, addresses a question from a Retirement Intelligence newsletter subscriber concerned about all the recent stock market volatility.
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4 Things To Do When Retirement Is Right Around The Corner by Bill Losey, CFP
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
In this video, retirement expert and Retire in a Weekend author, Bill Losey, CFP, provides four bottom-line suggestions to consider when retirement is imminent.
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Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP Interviewed by The New York Daily News
Monday, July 12th, 2010
Whether you’ve been let go from your job or have chosen to move on to a new employer, starting over can be tumultuous. Among the many decisions to be made is one that could have a big impact on your retirement: What should you do with your 401(k), 403(b) or other savings plan?
Click here to read full article.
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3 Ways To Kill Your Retirement
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
In this video, Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP illustrates three ways people ruin their retirement. Avoid these simple mistakes and you should be okay.
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Your Debt Diet – The Skinny On Shedding Your Unwanted Financial Fat
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
According to a recent survey, most Americans have a long way to go before feeling financially prepared to retire. 63% say debt is preventing them from saving for retirement. 4 in 10 said they were concerned that they have too much debt. It’s time to go on a summer debt diet. Bill Losey provides six steps to shed that unwanted financial fat in this recent interview with WJIM radio.
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The $1 Million Retirement Question
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
In this video, retirement expert and Retire in a Weekend author Bill Losey addresses one of the most popular questions he’s asked by pre-retirees and baby boomers nationwide.
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Podcast: 7 Ways To Make Retirement a Reality
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
In recent years, the financial risks surrounding retirement have increased dramatically because of longer life expectancies, low interest rates, the volatile stock market, rising health care costs, business performance and employment conditions, among other issues. While planning for retirement can be a stressful, daunting task, it doesn’t have to be that way. You don”t need to be up to your elbows in social security, pension, and savings. In fact, all it takes is seven simple steps.
Listen now to Bill’s interview with Don Week’s of WGY Radio
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FOXBusiness.com interviews Retirement Planning Expert Bill Losey, CFP
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
Click here to discover what to do and consider “When Retirement is Just Around the Corner”
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Retirement Advisor & Expert Bill Losey, CFP interviewed by the Salt Lake Tribune on Tips For Getting Out Of Debt
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
Smart money-moves to building financial stability. The best way to pay off your plastic. How to put together your own financial bailout plan.
Click Here
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Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP interviewed by Jean Chatzky on 401k Rollovers to a Self-Directed IRA
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
Retiring? Changing jobs? Remember to rollover your 401(k). Click here to read full article.
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How Often Should I Hear From My Advisor?
Monday, June 7th, 2010
In this video lesson, Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP addresses a common complaint he hears often from people who have their investments at big national Wall Street firms.
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Should I Sell My Mutual Funds & Buy CDs Now?
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP answers a question from a Retirement Intelligence subscriber concerned about losing money in the stock market.
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Video: Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP discusses 7 Reasons Why The Stock Market is so Volatile
Friday, May 21st, 2010
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Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP discusses The Difference Between Asset Allocation & Diversification
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
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Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP discussing today’s volatile stock market (and what you can do to protect yourself)
Thursday, May 6th, 2010
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Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP quoted by Bankrate.com
Friday, April 30th, 2010
Should you continue to make mortgage payments after you retire? Or should you pay off the house before quitting your job for good? It really depends on your goals and situation. In this article however, I provide a few reasons why you may not want to pay it off.
Click here to read full article.
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Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP interviewed by Jean Chatzky of The TODAY Show
Thursday, April 29th, 2010
In this recent interview with Jean Chatzky, I share a few reasons why you may end up working longer than originally planned.
When will you retire? Maybe not as soon as you think unless you’re willing to “downsize and simplify”.
Click here to see the full story.
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Video: Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP explains how to protect your IRA & 401k from the next market freefall.
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
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Video: Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP discussing Common Investor Mistakes & How YOU Can Avoid Them
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
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Video: Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP addresses multiple questions from a subscriber about what traits to look for (and lookout for) when choosing a financial advisor.
Monday, April 19th, 2010
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Video: Retirement Expert Bill Losey, CFP addresses a question from a woman concerned about her husband’s pension and 401k.
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
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Video: Retirement Advisor Bill Losey, CFP talks about a Phased Retirement versus Retiring All At Once
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
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Bill Losey, CFP Interviewed by TIME
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
In this recent interview with TIME, I provide my opinion on the IRA-Roth Conversion and talk about why most people aren’t taking advantage of the 2010 opportunity.
Click HERE to view the interview!
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Bill Losey Interviewed by ABC News Now in NYC
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010
In this recent TV interview, I give seven tips to spring clean your finances. Topics discussed include what to do with your tax refund, getting out of debt, funding an emergency fund, starting an IRA, retirement strategies for baby boomers, rewarding yourself, and avoiding one of the top money mistakes. Enjoy!
Click HERE to see the video!
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Video: Retirement Advisor Bill Losey, CFP talks about passion and asks “What Would You Attempt To Do If You Knew You Couldn’t Fail?
Friday, April 2nd, 2010
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Video: Retirement Advisor Bill Losey, CFP discusses How To Protect Your Retirement Income From Inflation
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
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Video: Retirement Advisor Bill Losey, CFP answers the question “Do I Have Enough Money To Retire?”
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
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Video: Retirement Advisor Bill Losey, CFP – “What Percentage Of My Pre-Retirement Income Will I Need To Live In Retirement?”
Sunday, March 28th, 2010
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Bill Losey Interviewed by CNNMoney.com – Retired Couples Need $250,000 for Health Care Costs?
Friday, March 26th, 2010
Fidelity Investments announced yesterday that if you’re retiring this year, you’ll need $250,000 in savings to cover your family’s medical expenses during your retirement. Don’t let this number scare you. See why here.
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Video: Retirement Advisor Bill Losey Discusses 5 Big Retirement Mistakes (& How YOU Can Avoid Them)
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
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Bill Losey Video: 401k Rollover Advice On How To Avoid The 20% IRS Withholding Penalty
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
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Bill Losey Video: 401k Retirement Rollover Advice For Your Self-Directed IRA
Friday, March 19th, 2010
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Bill Losey Video: The Best Way To Invest Your IRA & 401k Money In Retirement
Thursday, March 18th, 2010
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Bill Losey Video: How to Protect Your IRA & 401k Retirement Assets
Monday, March 15th, 2010
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Bill Losey: Five Savings Secrets
Monday, March 8th, 2010
How to increase your savings without significantly lowering your quality of life.
What’s the problem? In general, when it comes to a lack of savings, it is often not a question of low income, but a matter of high spending. While it’s very true that often we’re put into situations where we must spend money (due to loss of employment, health care bills, home repairs, etc.), for many of us our excessive spending is merely a habit we must learn to break … or at least control.
But … where do we begin? Many people would like to reduce their spending and increase their savings, but it seems like such a monumental task that they simply don’t take any steps in the right direction. Sound familiar? If so, don’t shrug it off any longer. Saving money can begin right now, and you can start in small ways. Here are several easy ways to increase your savings …
Secret #1: “Put it on the mantle”
My grandmother used to use …
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Bill Losey: 5 Retirement Planning Blunders
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
Retiring from ones job can be a stressful time but it doesn’t have to be. Realize that it’s natural to be nervous, anxious and/or confused when you’re going through a major life change. Your decision to retire is causing you to step outside your comfort zone and is forcing you to make many new decisions and learn new things. Most importantly, remember that you only get one shot at retirement and you don’t want to make any mistakes. So here are some of the more common mistakes people make when retiring and how you can avoid them.
- Listening to the wrong people – Everyone’s got an opinion about what you should do with your money nowadays. Be sure to find a retirement specialist, preferably one with 10 or more year’s experience. This is no time for amateur hour.
- Not understanding the tax consequences of investments – Don’t try to know this area all by yourself. Every financial decision has a tax consequence. Be sure to have a …
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The Potential Of The BRIC Nations
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Brazil. Russia. India. China. These four nations have some of the fastest-growing economies on earth and are becoming drivers in the world economy. In the coming decades, they may command as much attention as the U.S., Japan and other “heavy hitters” … or more.
The future aside, we know one thing about the BRIC nations and other emerging markets: collectively, stocks in these countries have outperformed U.S. stocks for the last 20 years.
During this past decade alone, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index brought a total return of 102.4% while the S&P 500 posted a total return of -10.0% (-24.1% before dividends). Across the 1990s, the S&P 500 produced a total return of 432.0% – pretty impressive. Yet the MSCI Emerging Markets index posted a total return of 2408.6% for that decade.
Great volatility … but also great potential. If U.S. stocks soar or fall, emerging markets really feel the effect. We’ve seen them recoil in the first quarter of 2010. Yet short-term slumps aside, there are compelling …
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What’s In Your Retirement Investment Portfolio?
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
The stock market is unsettled … and perhaps its fluctuations are unsettling you. It’s a stressful time for the economy and Wall Street, and you may be concerned about your portfolio given what’s going on with oil prices, the real estate market, and rising unemployment figures. It may be a good time to review how your assets are invested.
Is your portfolio balanced? A balanced portfolio may help you ride out stock market turbulence. Stocks and mutual funds aren’t the only asset allocation choices you have, and you won’t be alone this winter if you decide to examine other investment options.
Fixed annuities and Treasuries become attractive to investors when the market turns volatile. Bonds tend to maintain their strength when stocks perform poorly; fixed annuities are simply contracts with insurance firms, not correlated to stock market performance (though certain types of annuities may enable you to take advantage of stock market gains while maintaining your principal). Fixed-income mutual funds, dividend income funds and bond …
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Saving For The Self-Employed
Monday, February 8th, 2010
Whether you run a firm with dozens of employees or simply pick up some occasional freelance work, you have many ways to save for retirement. Here’s how to choose the right strategy for you from a recent interview I conducted with Fidelity.
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A Stress-Free Retirement
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
Retirement doesn’t have to be a stressful, daunting task. All it takes is a little planning. Learn more here with my interview in The Salt Lake Tribune.
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6 Wealth-Building Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
I was recently interviewed by Fidelity.com on wealth-building mistakes and how to avoid them. Read the full article here.
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Your Stock Market Correction Protection Plan
Monday, January 25th, 2010
Question: This stock market is nuts! How am I supposed to protect my IRA and 401k from losing money when I’ve only got three years until I retire? Bonnie, Ohio
Answer: A few years before retiring, if possible, you should begin to accumulate an amount of money that’s equivalent to 2-5 years worth of cash withdrawals (based upon your expected income needs). This systematic accumulation of cash is done on purpose so that you have a “safe-money” source to pull from when the balance of your investment portfolio and the stock and bond markets may be declining in value. Some people want one year of cash on hand. Some want two years of cash on hand. Some want more. It all depends on your comfort level.
Each time your portfolio exceeds a pre-established benchmark, you should systematically harvest the excess money above the benchmark, and put it in cash or short-term bonds (money market funds, CDs, and/or US …
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Scott Brown’s Victory will force Dems to fight for ObamaCare
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Scott Brown is the winner of Massachusetts Senate Race and, now, the first Republican senator from that state since 1972. He defeated his democratic opponent, Attorney General Martha Coakley, by a comfy margin. More than half of the state’s voters turned up.
This Republican victory in an infamously blue state means democrats no longer have a filibuster proof majority. This makes the future of Obama’s healthcare plan very uncertain. Indeed, the election has received an unprecedented amount of national coverage because of this. In- and out-of-state sponsors spent millions of dollars on advertising for both parties.
Obama was even in Massachusetts over the weekend campaigning for Coakley. It was reported shortly after that advisors to the President were less than optimistic about her chances. Many commenters on a CNN blog about the subject thought it was just a ploy to get Republican voters to think Brown’s victory was a sure thing so they’d sleep in and skip the polls. Both parties have criticized Coakley’s campaign …
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Experts Offer 10 Financial Tips
Monday, January 18th, 2010
Here’s a link to an article I was recently interviewed for by the Boston Herald. Enjoy!
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How to Get Out of Debt & Get a Job
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
LiveStrong.com recently quoted me and published this article with 6 quick ideas you can use to reduce your debt and generate extra cash flow. Enjoy!
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Getting Your Retirement Back On Track After a Layoff
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
NBC “Today” show financial editor Jean Chatzky picked my brain recently to help a viewer get their retirement back on track after being laid off six months ago. Get the 411 here.
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Refresh Your Retirement Plan
Monday, January 4th, 2010
New Year’s resolutions should not just be about losing a few pounds or learning a new language. They should also be about putting your retirement planning in order. Here’s a link to an article I was interviewed for in The Wall Street Journal this past weekend where I’m talking about a strategy I employ for my Private Clients called the “safe-money benchmark strategy”. Enjoy!
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Retirement Resolutions for Your 20’s, 30’s & 40’s
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Question: In a recent post you had strategies for strengthening your retirement picture for people in their 50’s and 60’s. What about those of us in our 20’s to 40’s? Maxine, Tenafly, NJ
Answer: Maxine, I didn’t mean to leave you and the other youngsters out. Here’s a checklist to get you on track in 2010 as well!
- If you haven’t started already, open an IRA and/or fund a 401k. These are generally the years when it’s toughest to scrape together the cash for investing, but starting young and having decades for tax deferred growth could provide a nice six or seven figure portfolio in retirement. At a minimum, save enough to get your full company match.
- Since you will likely have 2-4 decades before you’ll need this money, consider investing 70%-80% in equities/stocks. Do not be too conservative with your allocation.
- Remember that your ability to earn an income is your greatest asset so go back to school, continue …
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Retirement Resolutions for Your 50’s & 60’s
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Question: My husband and I (age 62 and 57) want to make some resolutions to sure up our retirement picture in 2010. Any thoughts you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Bea, Stamford, CT
Answer: Bea, here’s a checklist to get you on track in 2010!
- If you haven’t maxed out your 401k/403b contributions at work, you are eligible to take advantage of what is known as the catch-up provision. In essence, if you haven’t saved as much as legally possible every year you’ve been working, you are able to contribute an extra $5,500 per year (over and above the legal limit – $16,500) into your retirement plan in 2010.
- If you have a spouse, family and assets to protect, I think you should investigate long-term care insurance. Long-term care protects you and your family from the emotional, physical and financial pain that a health issue can have on them. Take advantage of 10-pay plans which allows you to pay …
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Getting Ready For Retirement?
Friday, December 18th, 2009
Here are some tips and advice I gave to my friend and NBC Today Show contributor Jean Chatzky. Enjoy!
Click HERE to read the story!
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Don’t Leave Home Without These Four Holiday Shopping Tips
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
I was recently interviewed by FOXBusiness.com about ways to save money during the holidays and how to stay out of debt. We’re only one week away from Christmas and if you’re still not done shopping here are some quick tips that can save you money. Enjoy!
Click HERE to read the story!
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