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Forget Rules Of Thumb – And Calculate Your Individualized Income Replacement Rate

While there are some general rules of thumb for retirement income-replacement rates (e.g. 75% to 80% of working income), pinning down your individualized retirement cash flow needs can be difficult. As the author of today’s article notes, “higher-income, higher-saving households may well need just 60% (or even less) of their pre-retirement income during retirement, while lower-earning, lower-saving households may need… 

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How To Avoid The Game Of Chance – And Retire For Real

When it comes to 401(k)s and IRAs, the author of today’s article argues that “Gambling away your retirement funds in a government-sponsored game of chance is a game you have little hope of winning.” Instead, he asserts that if you want to retire for real (and early), the key is attaining financial freedom – which requires focusing on cash flow… 

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Maximizing The Value Of – And Minimizing The Taxes On – Your Employee Stock Options

Having an employee stock option plan is a fortunate position to be in as, if well-managed, these plans can fund major financial goals, including retirement. However, the author of today’s article cautions that “Stock option plans are often misunderstood and choices are often made that leave people paying substantially more taxes on this employee benefit than is absolutely necessary. Small… 

CLICK HERE »Maximizing The Value Of – And Minimizing The Taxes On – Your Employee Stock Options

One Of The Best Investments That Retirees Overlook, Ignore – Or Come Up Short On

There’s an investment retirees can make that could provide them with a guaranteed return of over 17% – an investment that the author of today’s article notes is “simple, straightforward and right under our noses—and yet way too often overlooked or ignored.” What is this investment, why do so many not take advantage of it – and why do many… 

CLICK HERE »One Of The Best Investments That Retirees Overlook, Ignore – Or Come Up Short On

How These 6 “Obscure” Funds Can Provide Income And Growth For Retirement

Today’s article outlines how an initial investment of $300,000 in six specific funds (from “an obscure corner of the market”) can create a significant, reliable income stream for retirement. Specifically, “this portfolio has a 7.9% yield, meaning our $305,000 initial investment is going to give us $24,000 in annual income—that’s $2,000 per month!” Moreover, these six funds offer growth in… 

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A “Pass-Through” Strategy For Income Seekers

Amid the low interest rate environment of recent years, many income-seeking investors have turned to high-yield bond funds and dividend mutual funds in the search for higher income. However, with interest rates now rising, these funds are becoming riskier – leading the author of today’s article to suggest an alternate strategy to generate income: investing in pass-through securities, which “are… 

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Considerations Before Lighting Your Retirement On FIRE

The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement has been gaining traction – but, as today’s article seeks to make clear, as wonderful as the prospect may seem, extra-early retirement isn’t for everyone. Specifically, the author outlines some of the financial and emotional consequences of early retirement – as well as some questions to ask yourself if you are still considering… 

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The 401(k)/Pension Hybrid That’s Soaring In Popularity

The author of today’s article is no fan of 401(k) plans, asserting that they don’t work. On the other hand, traditional pensions are largely obsolete. However, he notes that “There is one widely overlooked option that combines the best of the two retirement savings plans.” That option? Cash-balance plans, which are hybrids of traditional defined-benefit pensions plans and 401(k)s –… 

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For Retirees And Near-Retirees, Year-End Planning Starts Now!

There are still a few weeks left of summer, but now may be time to start thinking about the end of the year – especially if you are in or nearing retirement. Today’s article outlines a number of ways that retirees and those planning their retirements can benefit by getting an early start on their year-end financial planning. For more… 

CLICK HERE »For Retirees And Near-Retirees, Year-End Planning Starts Now!

The Critical Ways People Underestimate Retirement Costs – And How To Make Up For A Savings Shortfall

In a recent study, 44% of retirees reported that healthcare costs in retirement were higher than they had anticipated – and the financial security expert cited in today’s article cautions that “Higher-than-expected medical and nursing home costs are only two of several ways people underestimate their retirement costs.” What are the three critical ways she sees people underestimate their costs… 

CLICK HERE »The Critical Ways People Underestimate Retirement Costs – And How To Make Up For A Savings Shortfall