March 2013 | FIGuide

The Market Is On The Rise. Proceed With Caution!

Mar 29 2013

The stock market has been soaring. Both the Dow Jones Industrial and S&P 500 indexes have more than doubled since their lows during the 2008-2009 financial crisis and are now approaching their all-time record highs. Understandably many investors are beginning to feel more optimistic about their financial futures. For some, the financial and emotional damage unleashed by the crisis has receded into distant memory. However, for those of you considering increasing exposure to stocks, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons, not simply because you “feel” more confident about the future of the markets.

Behavioral finance is …

The Million Dollar Question: Pension Lump-Sum Or An Annuity?

Mar 29 2013

If you are fortunate enough to have a defined benefit plan at work, you may have a very important upcoming decision to make. The task of deciding between a lifetime monthly payment or a seven figure one-time payment can be daunting. To compound the complexities, there are various different annuity options factoring in spousal payments and fixed term guaranteed payments.

Before stressing over the details, the first step is to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option. The table below objectively compares the two:

Annuity payments	Lump-sum payments
Your monthly income is fixed, you have no investment decisions, and

How An IRA Is Treated When A Beneficiary Dies

Mar 29 2013

When an IRA owner dies while the IRA still has funds in it, the primary beneficiary(ies) have the opportunity to transfer the account to an inherited IRA and begin taking the Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) over his or her lifetime. When this primary beneficiary dies, it can be difficult to figure out who the money goes to. This is known as the successor beneficiary.

It’s important to know the difference between a successor beneficiary and a contingent beneficiary. A contingent beneficiary takes the place of the primary beneficiary in the event that the primary beneficiary dies before the original owner …

Do Age And Culture Affect Women’s Financial Planning Decisions?

Mar 29 2013

The East Oregonian examined a recent Prudential Financial study entitled: “Financial Experience and Behaviors Among Women.” While it is true that ” the need for retirement security cuts across all social, gender and ethnic lines,” the article highlights the ways in which your age and cultural background may influence your financial planning decisions.

When you are examining your finances and working on retirement planning, you need to work with someone who is willing to listen and consider your particular needs: consider a Fee-Only financial advisor. Fee-Only financial advisors take an ethical, all-inclusive approach to your financial future. They …

It Won’t Happen To Me

Mar 27 2013

Optimism bias. I would not label myself as “optimistic.” But I am not pessimistic, either. To me, “optimism” conjures up the chorus from the R.E.M. song: “Shiny, happy people holding hands.” Not the image of how I approach life. No, I do not believe things will get better and better, but I do not believe they will get worse and worse. I believe, like most human beings, that they will stay the same. This is one version of what behavior experts call “optimism bias.”

If it was sunny yesterday, it will be sunny today. If I am healthy today, I …

Archive - March 2013