Beyond Bulls & Bears

Retirement Reimagined
Perspectives

Retirement Reimagined

The concept of retirement has changed over the decades—as have the ways of funding it. Franklin Templeton’s “Voice of the American Worker” survey breaks down how the various generations think about retirement, and it’s clear retirement means different things to different people. Our Yaqub Ahmed shares findings from the survey and thoughts on achieving financial wellbeing.

Time for Social Security’s Shot in the Arm
Perspectives

Time for Social Security’s Shot in the Arm

The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for individuals and economies around the world. Gail Buckner, our personal retirement and financial planning strategist, shares her thoughts on how the pandemic has affected a key source of income for many elderly Americans—Social Security—and why it’s time to take action to shore up the program.

Don’t Forget About Your Other Retirement Plan
Education

Don’t Forget About Your Other Retirement Plan

As headlines revolve around the impact of the coronavirus and the costs of government spending packages to keep the economy afloat, the state of Social Security is one thing we can find at least some assurance in, says Gail Buckner, our personal retirement and financial planning strategist. She takes a look at the latest Social Security Trustees’ Report, released on April 22.

SECURE Act Passage Heightens Retirement Security
Education

SECURE Act Passage Heightens Retirement Security

A sweeping piece of legislation affecting how individuals save and invest for their retirement, known as the “SECURE Act,” has recently been signed into law. Our investment professionals talk about the implications of the Act, and how it can enhance the retirement security of millions of Americans. And, they outline some changes in the legislation that also affect college savings plans.

PODCAST: An Update on US Retirement Legislation
Perspectives

PODCAST: An Update on US Retirement Legislation

There have been some notable developments in the legislative and regulatory landscape in recent months when it comes to retirement issues. In our latest “Talking Markets” podcast, our Drew Carrington, Head of Institutional Defined Contribution at Franklin Templeton, and Michael Hadley, a partner with law firm Davis and Harman, discuss the passage of what’s known as the “SECURE” Act in particular, and the implications for the US retirement system.

Many Americans Unprepared for the Cost of Health Care in Retirement
Education

Many Americans Unprepared for the Cost of Health Care in Retirement

The rising cost of health care has been a political hot button issue for years, and Franklin Templeton’s 2019 “Retirement Income Strategies and Expectations (RISE)” survey revealed it remains a top concern today. Franklin Templeton Defined Contribution Head of Strategic Accounts Kevin Murphy and Michael Doshier, vice president, Retirement Marketing, offer some highlights from the survey and stress the importance of saving enough to meet future health care needs in retirement.

PODCAST: Updating the Outlook for Fundamental Changes to the US Retirement System
Education

PODCAST: Updating the Outlook for Fundamental Changes to the US Retirement System

An update on the legislative and regulatory landscape affecting US retirement plans and policy, with Drew Carrington, Franklin Templeton’s Head of Institutional Defined Contribution, and Michael Hadley, a partner at the Washington, DC law firm Davis and Harman.

PODCAST: Fintech Opportunity in the Retirement and Financial Services Space
Perspectives

PODCAST: Fintech Opportunity in the Retirement and Financial Services Space

Technological innovations have permeated every aspect of our lives, including the way we save and invest. Franklin Templeton Investments President and Chief Operating Officer Jenny Johnson and Empower Retirement President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Murphy discuss the impact of new technology on the financial services industry, particularly in the areas of wealth management and retirement planning.

Change is Coming to the Retirement Landscape
Education

Change is Coming to the Retirement Landscape

In recent months, there has been heightened activity in Washington DC in the area of retirement policy, with plans and proposals that could meaningfully alter the landscape. Drew Carrington, head of Institutional Defined Contribution at Franklin Templeton Investments, and Michael Doshier, vice president, Retirement Marketing, discuss the latest legislative developments and ideas.

PODCAST: Biggest Changes in a Decade Impacting the US Retirement System
Education

PODCAST: Biggest Changes in a Decade Impacting the US Retirement System

On our latest “Talking Markets” podcast, Drew Carrington, head of Institutional Defined Contribution at Franklin Templeton Investments, and Michael Hadley, a partner at the Washington, DC law firm Davis and Harman, discuss noteworthy legislative proposals that may significantly affect retirement plans—including President Donald Trump’s most recent executive order.

Our Take on US Order to Ease Retirement Regulations
Education

Our Take on US Order to Ease Retirement Regulations

This year is proving to be an active year for retirement-related legislation, with a mix of new proposals emerging and some familiar ones reappearing, not to mention the handful of modest changes to retirement plans that were enacted as part of February’s Bipartisan Budget Act. On August 31, President Trump signed a new executive order that offers several changes to retirement plans. Here, Franklin Templeton’s Yaqub Ahmed and Drew Carrington, who attended the signing, highlight a few aspects of it.

Can You Retire Your Retirement Risk?
Education

Can You Retire Your Retirement Risk?

Many (if not most) people think about retirement in terms of saving for the day they leave the workforce and won’t be collecting a paycheck any longer. The prospect of outliving one’s savings is therefore a top source of stress, along with being able to pay escalating health care costs. Perhaps more individuals should plot a strategy to generate income in retirement, says Michael Doshier, vice president, retirement marketing at Franklin Templeton Investments. And no, he doesn’t mean spending your senior years flipping burgers or bagging groceries.