Reports

Retirement Money: Better Long or Tall?

The research of countless professionals has documented that the number one worry about retirement is "running out of money". Rather than thinking about how much money you have for retirement, you should think in term of "how long will it last". This means you should structure your savings and investment choices to...

Stress Testing Your Retirement Plans

Automobile companies test their cars by crashing them into concrete barriers, exposing them to extreme heat & cold, and deliberately trying to break them. The objective is to prepare their products for the unlikely extreme that will happen to some drivers. In a simliar way, you should be testing your retirement plans to see how they hold up in extreme conditions: market crashes, major interest rate changes, major medical occurrences, loss of a spouse and other unlikely events that can happen.

Retirement: Does Life Insurance Have a Place?

When most people hear “life insurance” they cringe! But, life insurance could add substantially to retirement planning. For example, it can reduce an estate’s size while passing tax-free money to heirs. If held outside an estate life insurance can provide tax-free money to pay the estate taxes, purchase a company business, farm or ranch or be used tax free without restriction by the next generation. Convalescent care costs (nursing home, home care or assisted living) are a major concern in retirement yet few retirees have insurance coverage because it is a “use it or lose it feature”. Certain life insurance policies offer double benefits: money for convalescent care, if needed and if not, a tax-free death benefit legacy for your heirs. If you have an unneeded life policy, sometimes it can be sold for more than its cash value and thereby avoid future premiums and get...

Financial Literacy and Retirement

Literacy is defined as “critical skill and a strategic commitment”. You go to the medical doctor, attorney, minister and other professionals because you are not literate in their field of expertise. Did you know that “investing and retirement planning” involves numerous options that can be mastered only with study, experience and commitment? Yet, the vast majority of those near or in retirement manage their financial well-being without consulting a professional. For many the results are bad to disastrous...

Will Financial Events Decide Your Retirement Date?

The “market” has been extremely volatile in both the short and long run. Major meltdowns have occurred twice in the past decade. Currently, wild daily swings are common and the volatility is expected to continue. The U.S. is suffering from both domestic & international excesses. Yet, most in retirement or retirement’s red zone continue their lifelong habit of “playing the market”. Accordingly, the “market” will determine when, or if, they can retire or stay retired as planned. Are there other, better alternatives...

The Seven Financial Risks of Retirement

Most retirement-minded folks worry about the risk of losing their money. While important, this is only one of several financial risks that must be managed for a worry-free retirement. Certainly outliving your money is first in class, but there is also inflation, market exposure, reinvesting, sequence hazards, fraud and taxes. In this upcoming online video webinar on this website, Dr. Shelby Smith of The Retirement Pros shows you one solution that will address all these risks...

Building a Lifetime Retirement Income

The retiree’s greatest concern is running out of money.  In answer to this concern the financial press is full of advice about how to turn your retirement money into a lifetime of income.  Only problem is: there are no guarantees OR you’re locking in today’s basement interest rates for a lifetime.  There are easy ways to get a guaranteed lifetime income without locking in today’s historically low interest rates.  Dr. Shelby Smith of The Retirement Pros will show you how this can be done...

All About Indexed Annuities

In the recent past you’ve probably read negative stories about indexed annuities.  Unfortunately, many of these are written for the uninformed or the biased.  These articles oftentimes contain half-truths and false information.  Sadly, much is written by those that profit if you invest your retirement money in mutual funds, stocks or other market options.  Be aware that great sums of money are spent to influence where you put your money...

All About Indexed Annuities

In the recent past you’ve probably read negative stories about indexed annuities.  Unfortunately, many of these are written for the uninformed or the biased.  These articles oftentimes contain half-truths and false information.  Sadly, much is written by those that profit if you invest your retirement money in mutual funds, stocks or other market options.  Be aware that great sums of money are spent to influence where you put your money...

Falling Markets Present a Tax Savings Opportunity

Who thinks taxes will rise in the years ahead? Everyone, that’s who!  Who has money in the market?  Virtually everyone because Wall Street have convinced us that we’ll do better there long term.  The only options currently available....

Falling Markets Presents a Tax Savings Opportunity

Who thinks taxes will rise in the years ahead? Everyone, that’s who!  Who has money in the market?  Virtually everyone because Wall Street have convinced us that we’ll do better there long term.  The only options currently available....

Managing Your Retirement Risks

If planning for retirement or already there, you know that risks abound: medical expenses, market losses, loss of a spouse, running out of money and more. The smart retirement route to travel is to prepare for risks you cannot control and avoid risks you do control.  Sadly, many retirees do neither and the consequences are oftentimes more stress & worry.  This webinar will help you better understand your risk options...

Managing Your Retirement Risks

If planning for retirement or already there, you know that risks abound: medical expenses, market losses, loss of a spouse, running out of money and more. The smart retirement route to travel is to prepare for risks you cannot control and avoid risks you do control.  Sadly, many retirees do neither and the consequences are oftentimes more stress & worry.  This webinar will help you better understand your risk options...

Gary Bhojwani- Baby Boomer Wary of Investing

Allianz CEO Gary Bhojwani discusses why this generation wants more security for their savings.

Government Advice on Retirement

Retirees may have to delay Social Security benefits and buy an annuity to have enough money for retirement, said a U.S. government study.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)

Most retirees have money in Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). You could have rolled money from a 401(k) or 403(b) into an IRA or started as a separate account. Regardless, there are certain rules that must be followed when withdrawing your money and there are “loopholes” you’ll want to know about. For example, does converting to a Roth IRA make sense? Can you avoid required minimum distributions? What does a Stretch IRA do and what are the advantages and disadvantages? You don’t own all the money in your IRA: the Federal Government is your partner because money has not...

Retain Your Gains

Watch this video on how index-linked annuities work to safeguard your money. Steve DeJohn, coach and mentor, will also show you how to retain your gains.

Paycheck For Life

Watch this presentation put together by coach and mentor Steve DeJohn on how to protect your assets as you approach retirement. The video shows how Fixed Indexed Annuities can guarantee a paycheck for life.

Retirement: Does Life Insurance Have a Place?

When most people hear “life insurance” they cringe! But, life insurance could add substantially to retirement planning. For example, it can reduce an estate’s size while passing tax-free money to heirs. If held outside an estate life insurance can provide tax-free money to pay the estate taxes, purchase a company business, farm or ranch or be used tax free without restriction by the next generation. Convalescent care costs (nursing home, home care or assisted living) are a major concern in retirement yet few retirees have insurance coverage because it is a “use it or lose it feature”. Certain life insurance policies offer double benefits: money for convalescent care, if needed and if not, a tax-free death benefit legacy for your heirs. If you have an unneeded life policy, sometimes it can be sold for more than its cash value and thereby avoid future premiums and get...

Is Running Out of Retirement Money Avoidable?

The greatest fear of most retirees is running out of money. While there are numerous reasons why this fear could become a reality, far too often it is a self-fulfilling prophecy brought on by avoidable mistakes. Most retirees spend less time planning their retirement than they do organizing a vacation, arranging a family reunion or planning a Christmas dinner. Retirement is the largest purchase most of us will ever make, it may last over 30 years, will hold many surprises and there’s only one chance to get it right...

Retirement Planning with the ABC Method & Rule of 100

You have many places to keep your retirement money: banks, market (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, variable annuities, REIT & more), U.S. Savings Bonds, real estate, insurance company and more.  What are the best options for you? 

Gary Bhojwani - CNBC Squawk Box - U.S. retirement outlook

Allianz CEO Gary Bhojwani discusses the power of Annuities, longevity concerns and latest “Reclaim Your Future” study.

Locking Up Retirement Income for Life

What’s your greatest fear about retirement? Running out of money is the number one concern of most retirees. If this is your retirement worry, then positioning your money to deliver a reliable, stable income for life should be your objective. There are many recommendations on how to do this: invest for dividends, portfolio of stocks & bonds, lifestyle mutual fund, Monte Carlo simulation selection, laddered portfolio, annuities or invest and hope. In this short video webinar...

Retirement Review: 2011 Social Security Update

Over 70% of retirees start their Social Security benefits early.  For many this is a big mistake.  Getting SS wrong can rob you ...

Will Your Retirement Have a Black Swan?

A “Black Swan” is the name forecasters give to unexpected events that result in undesirable consequences. The probability that these rare events occur is virtually zero, nonetheless they invariably happen. For example, who foresaw the shockingly low interest rates that are now undermining the incomes of millions of retirees? Who predicted two stock market meltdowns...

Learn Your Financial Personality

Concerned about being on the wrong financial road?  Worried about where you’re keeping your retirement money?  Are your Financial Personality and investments/savings in sync?  Take the 3-Personalities of money test and discover your Financial DNA – it FREE, SHORT and FUN. 

Caution: Bond Could be a Four Letter Word

Many retirees are disgusted with the near-zero bank CD rates and afraid of keeping their money in the volatile stock market. A new found Mecca for many disgusted or fearful retirees is bonds, bond mutual funds and income mutual funds. There is more to the bond option than...

How to Avoid the Cruel Tax on Retirees

It’s not how much retirement money you have, it’s how much your money will buy. Since the past is a guide to the future, we know the same money will buy progressively less as the years fly by. Inflation, like gravity, is always present. Social Security benefits are adjusted yearly for inflation and the same annual adjustment is now...

The Forgotten Safe Money Option

The retirement-minded want safety, predictability and fair returns.  Traditional places no longer provide these features, so where can they turn? This short video webinar by Dr. Shelby Smith, economist, author and spokesperson for The Retirement Pros, talks about the forgotten safe money option:  fixed annuities. You’re welcome to view & add the monthly video webinars to your website by…

When Will the Next Big One Arrive?

Seismologists know that a major earthquake will occur on the San Andreas Fault; however, the time, place and severity are unknown.  The same is true of the next economic/financial panic, recession, depression or market meltdown.  The short video webinar by Dr. Shelby Smith, economist, author and spokesperson for The Retirement Pros, gives practical advice on how you can help clients and prospects insulate themselves.  You're welcome to view and add the monthly video webinars to your website by...

Risk & Reward: The Traveling Companions

The historical low level of interest rates has left many retirees with little money to live on; the stock market meltdown has wiped out years of savings for some retirees; the volatile daily ups and downs of the markets have many retirees wondering what to do with their money.  Sadly, many are reaching for investments on the edge that promise higher returns without risks.  Is there are solution that will let retirees sleep peacefully?  Can you recover your past income without undue risk?

Annuities & LTC: Tax-Deferred to Tax-Free

Recent Federal Laws have created an opportunity for retirees. If you own an annuity, you can convert your tax-deferred earnings into tax-free benefits should you be unfortunate enough to ever need long-term convalescent care, which approximately two-thirds of all retirees will. If you are fortunate and will not require convalescent care benefits, you’ll still have retirement money in a safe place, easy to access if needed and growing tax-deferred. Getting double-duty from your retirement money is just plain smart.

Where Should You Keep Your Retirement Money?

The retirement-minded and retirees face bewildering choices about where to keep their retirement money: stocks, mutual funds, banks, bonds, annuities, real estate, foreign/domestic, IRA/Roth IRA/401(k)/403(b) and more. All of these places have advantages & disadvantages, varying degrees of risk & liquidity and different tax treatment...

Stress Testing Your Retirement Plans

Automobile companies test their cars by crashing into concrete barriers, exposing to extreme heat & cold and deliberately trying to break them. The objective is to prepare their products for the unlikely extreme that will happen to some drivers.

Getting to Know Roth IRA Conversions

A 2010 change in Roth IRA rules permit everyone to convert retirement money to tax-free status. While not everyone can benefit, everyone needs to find out for sure because huge tax-savings for you, your spouse and your beneficiaries are possible.

Forecasting Wizardry & the Hidden Risks

If you’ve asked your Wall Street broker if you have enough for retirement, chances are he or she has used the Monte Carlo model to “test” your situation. All the information is fed into a computer and out pops your answer. It says ...

Annuities Were Hero of Great Recession

There has never been more controversy about any safe money place than there has been about fixed annuities. There is a very good reason for this ...

Retirement Money: Better Long or Tall?

The research of countless professionals has documented that the number one worry about retirement is "running out of money". Rather than thinking about how much money you have for retirement, you should think in term of "how long will it last". This means you should structure your savings and investment choices to

401K and Roth Conversions

FLASH: BusinessWeek reports Government promotes using retirement money for guaranteed lifetime income.

DETAILS HERE

Maximizing Social Security Benefits in Uncertain Times

The Government just announced that Social Security recipients will not get a cost of living raise in 2010. The official measure of inflation in 2009 was zero: not true for retirees but they got you on a technicality. What was not mentioned: you’ll probably pay higher taxes on the same benefits. It is very easy to manage the taxes you pay on ...

Risk & Reward Always Travel Together

For the second time this decade, the stock market has nosedived. Chances are you, or someone you know, lost retirement money. Sadly, losses force changes in retirement plans.

Understanding Your Mutual Fund

America’s most common investment and most misunderstood.

CBS News 60-minutes 401(k) story

This story is for you ...

Retired: Can You Afford the Risk?

Two common mistakes can ruin retirement ...

Conflicting Investment Advice: Who Knows Best?

Bankers and Brokers are not always right. Learn what's best for ...

Economic Outlook for Retirement Investing

Today's economy is challenging, proceed cautiously ...

Recession-Proof Your Retirement

Where should your retirement money be invested? ...

Wake Up Call for America

Are you concerned about the solvency of Social Security and Medicare? Does runaway federal spending concern you? Do you understand how federal deficits, the mismanagement of fiscal policy and bloated government programs will affect ...

Fixed Annuities: A Good Option for Bad Times

Over the past several years fixed annuities has been maligned, slandered and debunked by Wall Street BUT it is now obvious that annuities were the best all along for safety-minded people nearing ...

Tax-Free Retirement Income & More

How would you like to have part of your retirement money turned into a Tax-Free Income? Plus, for the income that can’t be made tax-free, there are ...

Erasing Your Biggest Retirement Worry

The biggest worry for many retirees is running out of money! The main reason for running out of money is the need for long term medical care. Erase your worries with ...

All About Index Annuities

In the past few months you’ve probably read negative stories about index annuities. Unfortunately, many of these are written to mislead by biased or unknowledgeable authors & contain half-truths and false information. Sadly, much is written by ...

Managing Retirement Money Withdrawals

The retirement money in your IRA, 401(k), or other qualified pension account doesn’t all belong to you. You have a partner, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). You must pay your IRS-partner every time you withdraw money, and ...

Rolling over your retirement money: Good or Bad?

When leaving an employer for whatever reason – retiring, changing jobs, downsized, starting your own business – should you roll over your retirement money to an IRA or your new plan? To avoid unnecessary taxes, loss of options and earnings you should know the facts because ...

Positioning Your Money for Retirement

As retirement approaches, investment changes are needed.

Retirement: Your Greatest Financial Challenges

You’ve one chance to get retirement right!

Understanding Your Annuity

Learn about this option before committing money.

Managing Your Retirement Money

An excellent road map to lower risks, more earnings and fewer taxes.

Guide to Social Security & a Better Retirement

When to start Social Security and minimize taxes ... get them right.

When Bank CDs Make Sense

CDs are safe for retirement money, but easy to overdo ...

Tapping Into Your 401(k) Money Before Retirement

You can transfer regardless of age while still working ...

Hold 'em or Fold 'em: A Retirement Decision

The investment news is very bad: extremely volatile stock prices, major corporate failures, federal bail-outs, and panic on Wall Street. Most retirement-minded Americans are...