The Social Security Administration announced a 2021 Cost of Living Increase of 1.3% on Oct. 13, 2020. Whether you’re currently working or enjoying retirement, here’s how you may be affected.
ExxonMobil has suspended its generous 7% match for employee contributions to the ExxonMobil Savings Plan (EMSP) effective October 1. What's an employee to do? Here are four options for you to consider.
ExxonMobil stock is at levels last seen in the early 2000s. If you're a retirement-eligible employee and you don't want to sell shares of XOM at these low prices, what are you to do? If you plan to leave ExxonMobil and you've got XOM stock in your EMSP, what's the right strategy?
16.1% of employers have cut matching 401(k) contributions in light of COVID-19. If this happened to you, or you're worried it could, here are the next steps you should be taking right away to still save for retirement.
Should you consider taking Social Security early to cover financial hardships caused by COVID-19? Make these crucial considerations first.
During retirement, your wealth needs to last for the rest of your life. Avoid paying more taxes than you need to by keeping these four tips in mind throughout the year.
Should you take your ExxonMobil, Chevron, or other company pension benefit as an annuity or as a lump sum? Our Investec blogger addresses issues you might be concerned about.
Do you think a financial plan is just about investments? Our blog challenges that thinking, asserting that financial planning is built upon a foundation of what you care about most in life. Read our five reasons to have a financial plan.
Thinking of retiring? It’s certainly a matter of “can you afford it?” But we think a well-informed decision takes into account other factors as well, factors that may not be as black and white as your lump sum pension or your 401(k) balance. Read our thoughts on making a tough decision.
For a limited time, Americans have the option to withdraw up to $100,000 from their 401(k) or IRA. Considering taking advantage of this change? We'll go over what you need to know before deciding.
Uncle Sam is spending trillions of dollars on economic stimulus and relief measures. The deficit will grow. Your 401(k) or IRA portfolio has recovered somewhat. But your ExxonMobil or Chevron stock is still at multi-year lows. In the midst of this, you wonder: “Should I start Social Security earlier than I planned?”
When it comes to retirement and tax planning, controlling your taxable income can be tough without tax diversification. So what's an investor to do?
Did the death of the "stretch" IRA hit your estate planning like a sucker punch to the rib cage? What seemed to have happened suddenly in the final weeks of 2019 shouldn't have been all too surprising.
Investec hosted its live "State of the Markets" event on Thursday, January 30th, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Houston. Clients attending the event heard presentations from John and Daniel Goott, Investec principals, on economic and market events of 2019 as well as on their outlook for investors in 2020.
Late in 2019, the "Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act," ("SECURE Act") became law. Let's take an initial pass at three broad categories of individuals potentially affected by the SECURE Act.
Mae West, an iconic 20th century American actress, singer, comedian and sex symbol, reportedly once said “Too much of a good thing is wonderful.” We’re pretty sure Mae wasn’t talking about net unrealized appreciation (NUA). But Mae’s observation raises a valid question. “Can there be too much of this good thing, this NUA?”
You've likely heard it said that planning for retirement is like steering the Queen Mary across the ocean. You start off. Then you make mid-course corrections to ensure you reach your destination. That much is unforeseeable shouldn't absolve us from taking responsibility for making adjustments over those factors we can control.
Price increases for much of what you buy each month may be reflected in the official CPI, but don't assume that your budget will magically work each year based on increasing it by those numbers. You should use CPI as an initial estimate for much of what you buy. But "official" inflation and your own "personal" inflation may be quite different.
Each month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases lots of statistics about inflation. You might think the BLS simply prices a whole bunch of goods and services, compares the cost, and declares the price difference as the official rate of inflation... but you'd be wrong.
Are you one of the fortunate few who doesn’t need all of what Uncle Sam requires you to take out of your IRA? If you are one (or you anticipate you may eventually be one), you might be able to reduce your taxable income, save on taxes, avoid or reduce your Medicare premium surcharge, and do some good at the same time.