Beyond Bulls & Bears

Social Security Giveth and Medicare Taketh Away
Education

Social Security Giveth and Medicare Taketh Away

Retirees got some good news from the US Social Security Administration, as it recently announced a 2.8% bump in benefits in 2019, the largest increase in seven years. Unfortunately, the good news also came with some bad news—higher Medicare premiums that could offset those gains. Gail Buckner, CFP, our personal retirement and financial planning strategist, takes a look at the situation.

Health Savings Accounts: The Intersection of Retirement and Health Care
Education

Health Savings Accounts: The Intersection of Retirement and Health Care

The increasing costs of health insurance borne by employees and employers alike has spawned a variety of plans and strategies to help manage the expenses. Among these are health savings accounts (HSAs), which first came onto the scene in 2003. HSAs allow individuals who are covered by high-deductible health plans to receive tax-preferred treatment of money they have saved for medical expenses. Kevin Murphy, national retirement plan strategist, explains the benefits of HSAs, and how they can even help build your retirement savings.

Retirement Income Planning Takes a Flexible Approach
Education

Retirement Income Planning Takes a Flexible Approach

Dennis Heinke, vice president of North America Product Strategy at Franklin Templeton Investments, discusses the challenge of generating retirement income and some strategies that can help alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding it.

Social Security Benefits Set to Increase, but Don’t Get Too Excited
Education

Social Security Benefits Set to Increase, but Don’t Get Too Excited

Gail Buckner, CFP®, offers some useful information about a 2018 Social Security benefits bump, and outlines a new Congressional bill that may change the benefits equation down the road.

Short-Term Fears Seem to Affect Millennial Investors in Particular
Alternatives

Short-Term Fears Seem to Affect Millennial Investors in Particular

Many investors who lived through the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-2009 still might bear some scars, according to Franklin Templeton’s annual Retirement Income Strategies and Expectations (RISE) survey. Michael Doshier, vice president, retirement marketing, offers highlights from the survey and examines how reactions to severe market shocks may impede us from reaching our long-term investment goals.

Meet the Manager: Ed Perks
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Meet the Manager: Ed Perks

During his college days, Ed Perks had all the right stuff on the football field, setting records as a kicker on Yale University’s team. For the ...