Jonathan Clements, former personal finance columnist for the Wall Street Journal, once quipped, "Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas. The goal is to enjoy it to the fullest, but not so fully that you run out of money."
As appeared in Morning Consult, March 26, 2018
The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered on March 15 one of the most positive, pro-consumer decisions in years by overturning an ill-conceived and harmful U.S. Department of Labor “fiduciary” regulation.
As appeared in The Hill, March 11, 2018
Everyone loves an upgrade. Whether it’s upgrading to business class on a flight or to a nicer rental car, upgrades offer a little more comfort and happiness.
Now Congress is considering improvements to something that is central to our comfort and happiness, as well as our peace of mind: retirement savings. The Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act (RESA) will not only make some improvements to the current system, but also provide access to workers who may not currently contribute to an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
My family looks forward to attending our “family reunions” every summer. Fortunately, the reunions on my mother’s side take place on the even years, and the reunions on my father’s side take place on the odd years. Regardless of the side, it gives us a chance to catch up with family members and hear all about what is going on in their busy lives. Graduations, marriages, births, retirement—these are exciting milestones. However, because of my particular lens, I look at each milestone as being tied to a different financial goal—and I encourage others to do so as well.
Life insurance products provide financial security for families when they are most vulnerable. To understand product ownership and industry trends, the American Council of Life Insurers has produced an annual Life Insurers Fact Book for over 70 years.
Regulations written to protect consumers are too important not to get right. And when they are not right, they should be re-examined and redone to ensure they truly work in consumers’ best interests.
The Department of Labor made a crucial decision yesterday that would ensure, for now, continued access to retirement guidance and products—especially for retirement savers with small and medium sized accounts. The DOL announced that it would delay full implementation of the controversial exemption requirements associated with its "fiduciary rule."
In 2015, when the Patriots were playing the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, the broadcast cut to a commercial break—and America watched what would be called one of the most powerful commercials of the game.
I had older parents—they were born and raised during the Depression era, so I learned the value of a dollar from as early as I can remember. In addition to a savings account, my dad had one of those old school “money belts” and he kept crisp $100 bills folded inside of it…just in case.