Taking benefits early means permanent reduction – but sometimes that's OK.
After $1.2B yanked in June, $2.1B, the most ever, pulled in September.
President Obama made halting the growth of income inequality a key part of his State of the Union message, and while financial planners and advisers can do little to fix the drivers of the problem, they can take steps to ameliorate its effects at the margin.
Technological and regulatory advances are turning once-speculative plays into viable businesses.
The SEC and Finra are getting tough on broker-dealers, putting intense focus on those recommending and selling alternative investments, including nontraded REITs. <b><i>Don't Miss: <a href="http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20140110/FREE/140119991">Our full look at the SEC's 2014 priorities</a></b></i>
Advisers must know whether clients who have worked for federal, state or city governments may be affected by pension rules that can reduce or even eliminate certain Social Security benefits.
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> January was rough, and though Seattle winning the Super Bowl is a good omen for stocks, it's going to be a bumpy ride. Also: How defined contribution assets surged, celebrating 25 years as a top PM, who to thank (or blame) for 401(k)s, finding gems in the emerging markets and who won the Super Bowl of advertising?
One investor draws criticism after comparing treatment of wealthy to Nazi Germany, plus other must-reads from wealth manager and CNBC commentator Josh Brown
Proposal would enable investors to open accounts with as little as $25. But would it turn us into a "nation of savers?"
On today's menu: The bad omen of Amazon's earnings miss; lots of people are eating burritos; the Microsoft CEO search nears an end ... and the new guy has a big job ahead; Super Bowl ads and what you need to know about the Year of the Horse.
MetLife Inc., the insurer reducing variable annuity sales by more than half, said rivals that are expanding are probably retaining less funds to back the retirement products.
Fixed-annuity sales in the third quarter reached their highest level since 2009, topping $22 billion. That number represents a 31% rise from the previous quarter and more than a 35% increase from the same period last year.
As the U.S. heads into its peak annual giving season, Americans feel bombarded with donation requests, but on the whole, they are digging deeper. Financial advisers said their clients this year are more confident about their financial future and are willing to increase their donations, thanks in part to the stock market tear.
Wealthy feel like giving but not all charitable vehicles created equal.
Major changes that kicked in this year, thanks to the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, likely will result in increased interest in charitable giving by clients interested in softening the bite of even higher brackets on income and capital gains taxes. As a refresher, the highest income tax rate rose in 2013 to 39.6%, while the highest capital gains rate is now 20%. To make things even more interesting, ATRA has also established a net investment income tax of 3.8%.
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> Big news from two tech giants: strong earnings and a gamechanging sale. Plus two questions: Should you worry about the rout in emerging markets and is your technology working for or against you? Also: A super price for a Super Bowl suite.
