Do You Invest Like the Cool Kids?

Indifference turns the highest power into no power. Seneca, the ancient philosopher got it exactly right when he said, “The highest power is no power, if you desire nothing.” Too many people are servants to the bells and whistles of the devastating distractions of their electronic devices. Others nauseatingly suck up to their egotistical bosses in…

Good God, Sir, What About My Portfolio?

In honor of the Battle of Gettysburg and Pickett’s infamous charge July 3, 1863, I thought I should repost this. Happy July 4th to everyone! Investors must avoid devastating and permanent loss to their portfolios. The lessons of history warn of the consequences of “betting it all.” During the Battle of Gettysburg in the steaming…

It’s Monday Again……When Is My Retirement?

Good Morning. Here are our weekly top ten links for issues concerning 403(b)s, 401(k)s, retirement savings tips, pensions, and various annuity products. Enjoy! Connecticut Governor Signs Bill To Improve 403(b) Plan Fee Transparency – InvestmentNews Unexpected Problems Can Hurt Your Retirement – Kiplinger Micro Plan Sues Nationwide Over Asset-Based Fees – planadviser Retiring Early? The Rule…

Even A CFA® Can’t Make Sense of Teachers’ 403(b)s

“Make intimidating things painless. Make complicated things simple. Make boring things exciting.” – Morgan Housel This brilliantly describes the attributes of great businesses. The woeful world of public school teachers’ 403(b) retirement plans strikes out on all three of these concepts. It is unfathomable that a new kindergarten teacher will have mind-numbing terms like this thrown at her…

Investors Are Always Compensated for Their Behavior

“The dice of God are always loaded.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Investors experience no gain without loss; and no loss without gain. Finance is not immune from the universal laws of nature. For instance, a wealthy person may enjoy caviar but cannot digest it. A poor person may be in perfect health with a ravenous…

It’s Monday Again……When Is My Retirement?

Good Morning. Here are our weekly top ten links for issues concerning 403(b)s, 401(k)s, retirement savings tips, pensions, and various annuity products. Enjoy! How To Win At Retirement Savings – New York Times Rise In Shorter-Term Fixed Index Annuities Means Commission Declines – insurancenewsnet.com Tear Down The Silos Between HSAs And 401(k)’s – Society For Human…

How Can We Fix a Broken 403(b) System?

We can send a guided robot to Mars, but we can’t fix a retirement plan? This absurdity just received a counterattack from the State of Connecticut. State Representative Matthew Lesser wrote a ground breaking bill to repair a broken system. Nationwide, public school teachers’ 403(b) retirement plans are filled with the dregs of the investment…

The Worst of Human Nature

   No fun; these two words perfectly describe the ordeal public school teachers endure when they attempt to open up a 403(b) retirement account. On January 14, 1978 in San Francisco, California, the Sex Pistols performed their last concert at the Winterland Theater. Before departing, the group’s leader, Johnny Rotten sneered at the crowd, “Ever get the feeling you’ve been…

It’s Monday Again……..When Is My Retirement?

Good Morning. Here are our weekly top ten links for issues concerning 403(b)s, 401(k)s, retirement savings tips, pensions, and various annuity products. Enjoy! Roth vs. Traditional 401(k): Study Finds a Clear Winner – The Wall Street Journal This Hidden Expense Could Derail Those Retirement Plans – CNBC How Much Should You Save For Retirement? – Bloomberg…