Working as an Advisor at Edward Jones: Ethical Qualms
A reader writes in, asking: “You have mentioned a few times that you were a financial advisor with Edward Jones early in your career. My oldest child will be graduating…
Investing Blog Roundup: Investors Do Better with All-In-One Funds
Morningstar recently released the annual update to their “Mind the Gap” study, which looks at how well investors do with various categories of mutual funds. That is, it specifically looks…
Investing Blog Roundup: Open Social Security (improved WEP/GPO functionality)
The Open Social Security calculator now has some new functionality for people affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision and/or Government Pension Offset. Specifically, it allows you to enter a date…
Using an Advisor or a Target Retirement Fund
A reader writes in, asking: “Would the average investor be better off using the services of a financial advisor or just buying and holding a Vanguard Target Retirement Fund in…
Social Security for Same-Sex Couples
As you have surely heard, on Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that, “the Fourteenth Amendment requires a State to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to…
9 Good Reasons for Claiming Social Security Early
There’s been quite a bit of talk over the last few years about the fact that most people should wait to claim Social Security, if they can afford to do so. And…
When Is the Best Time of Year for a Roth Conversion?
A reader writes in, asking: “Is there a time of a year when it’s best to do a Roth conversion? Perhaps close to the year end such that a person can estimate their…
Investing Blog Roundup: Do You Have a Portfolio or Investment Collection?
This week, Jim Dahle addresses an exceedingly common investment mistake: having a portfolio that’s really just a collection of investments that you’ve accumulated over the years — as opposed to…
What Is Estate Planning, and Do I Need to Worry About It?
When I recently asked for suggestions of specific estate-planning-related topics to write about, one thing that immediately became clear is that many people aren’t entirely sure what estate planning is —…
Investing Blog Roundup: Staying Flexible with Retirement Withdrawals
There are many personal finance rules of thumb that can be helpful when developing a rough-draft retirement plan. However, as Darrow Kirkpatrick and Christine Benz remind us this week, following a given…
Don’t Change Tax Plans Based on Presidential Budgets
A reader writes in, asking: “I heard on the radio recently that Obama will be changing IRA rules so that Roth IRAs will require RMDs and so there will be…
Investing Blog Roundup: Nominating Jack Bogle for the Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award given by the U.S. government. The idea is to recognize people who have made “especially meritorious contributions to the security…