What is Your Retirement Risk Index?

If you want to read some scary stuff this Halloween, check out the latest “retirement risk” data compiled by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.  The National Retirement Risk Index (NRRI) focuses on data indicating how well-prepared American adults are for retirement. Read more

New Government Initiatives to Boost Retirement Saving

Sometimes – not often – our government’s attempts to get in the middle of our financial planning makes sense. This appears to be the case with several initiatives announced by the White House yesterday. These initiatives are intended to firmly move more Americans toward responsible levels of saving for retirement. Let’s review them briefly. Read more

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A New Era Dawns in the Need for Personal Financial Planning 

As the chaotic behavior in the markets subsides, and with increased regulation of financial services on the horizon, a new era in retirement planning and financial planning will likely set in.  Tax rates will have to sharply increase to pay for recent government rescues and bailouts.  Baby boomers and others seeking to accumulate and preserve wealth will adjust their financial goals  and reconsider their present and future money strategies and tactics to achieve those goals. Read more

Currency Investing and Protection in your Portfolio – Do it the Smart Way

The Decline of the Dollar Can Weigh Down your Retirement Portfolio

This post is for investors, including those planning for retirement, who want to allocate part of their portfolio to provide protection (or take advantage of) positive trends of foreign currencies against the dollar.
It seems that ever since the Euro achieved its now lofty status as a trading currency, the dollar has been in a steady decline against it.  That trend has stabilized in recent weeks but Mr. ToughMoneyLove is not optimistic that it will stay that way. Read more

Consider this Likely Future Tax Benefit of Early Mortgage Payoff

Mr. ToughMoneyLove has participated in many online debates among readers of personal finance blogs and retirement planning message boards.  A frequent topic of debate is the wisdom of using available free cash flow to invest or instead to make an early payoff of an existing mortgage loan.   I am not a fan of debt generally but I do respect logical arguments supporting overall wealth building in combination with reasonable debt used to purchase an appreciating asset, such as real estate. Read more

Personal Finance Education – Books I am Reading

I read and study constantly in personal finance.  I am particularly interested in portfolio theory, asset allocation, retirement tax planning, and retirement withdrawal rates and portfolio survival. Read more

The New Social Security Benefit Calculator as a Reality Check

Baby boomers and others thinking ahead about retirement have requested and have waited patiently for the yearly delivery of their hard copy Social Security earnings record and benefit estimate.  My statement arrives each September.   The benefit estimate information in this document can be useful in several different ways. Read more