Millions of Americans will start receiving checks for up to $1,200 per person this week, part of the $2 trillion stimulus package enacted in March to ease the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Should You Rebalance Your Investments When The Market Is Up Or Down?
Whether the market is setting new highs or in the midst of a downturn, investors need to think a few steps ahead to ensure they’re prepared when current conditions change—that’s where rebalancing comes in.
3 Questions Investors Should Ask Their Financial Advisor Now
These are volatile times for the markets. The wild swings we've seen in the last few weeks have left investors wondering where they should put their money. The economy -- which was forecast to slow down in 2020 even before the novel coronavirus pandemic -- could slow even further depending on the impact of COVID-19 response on consumer spending.
Don’t Let The ‘CoronaCrash’ Mess Up Your Retirement
Coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the markets. The Dow Jones has just experienced one of the quickest bear markets in history. Does that mean we’ll see one of the quickest recoveries? Does “quick” even matter in the long run?
RIP to the Longest Bull Market in History (2009-2020)
Don't mourn the end of an unprecedented period of expansion. Rather, be thankful you can buy into great businesses at a discount before the next bull market begins.
My financial planner's advice during the last recession helped my retirement savings grow by 30%, and I'm following that advice again now
I've read the same headlines as everyone else — Dow plunges more than 2,000 points — in a big, scary font. As if coronavirus fears weren't enough to unnerve global stock markets, there's now an oil price war to create even more pain for investors. As I write this, the New York Stock Exchange just pushed the panic button and briefly halted trading to prevent a complete meltdown.
Morningstar's View: The Impact of Coronavirus on the Economy
Karen Andersen, CFA, Preston Caldwell
The hit to 2020 should be significant, but we see minimal long-term economic impact, and the treatment pipeline is progressing.
Health savings accounts can transform the way you pay for — and afford — health care in retirement
Richard Connor
What’s so great about HSAs? If used properly, they’re triple tax-favored. You get a tax deduction when you deposit funds. The growth thereafter is tax-deferred. And if you use distributions to pay for qualified medical expenses, withdrawals are tax-free. Result? There’s a saying that HSA funds “go in like a traditional 401(k) and come out like a Roth.”
12 Ways To Put Your Tax Refund To Work
Are you getting a tax refund this year? I enjoy receiving financial windfalls like tax refunds for several reasons. Tax refunds help maintain the positive momentum for achieving my money goals—instead of going on a spending spree.
You may not have as much in your 401(k) for retirement as you think
As part of the new Secure Act, plan sponsors will have to show Americans how their account balances translate into monthly income. The new retirement law, which was passed in December, aims to provide investors with a clearer picture about whether or not they’re on track to retire.
More Than Half of Americans Are in the Dark About This Important Retirement Factor
We've all heard that it's a bad idea to put all your eggs in one basket, and the saying holds true for nest eggs as well. However, not everyone understands how the concept works when it comes to retirement saving, and that can be a costly mistake.
Stocks Are More Expensive Than Ever According to One Popular Measure. Here's What That Means for Investors
The price-to-sales ratio on the Standard & Poor’s 500 recently hit 2.41, the highest-ever level. Apart from a spike to around 2 in the late 1990s, the price-to-sales ratio for the index has traded between 0.8 and 1.9 for 25 years, according to Yardeni Research.
How Much Risk Should I Take When Investing?
If you’re looking to invest, a top priority is determining how much risk to take. Risk might sound scary, especially if you’re not a risk-taker elsewhere in life. But in investing, more risk generally means more return over the long run. So, you’ll need to take at least some risk, but you need to do it in an appropriate dose. Take too much and you might lose a massive amount of money right before you need it. Take too little and your money might not grow to the sum that you need.
BlackRock: 2020 Global Outlook
401(k) contribution limit increases to $19,500 for 2020; catch-up limit rises to $6,500
The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan is increased from $19,000 to $19,500.
The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in these plans is increased from $6,000 to $6,500.
Your 2020 Personal Finance Calendar To-Do List
The start of a new year is when many of us ask ourselves what lies ahead personally, professionally and financially. We happily hang a colorful 2020 calendar, jot down birthdays, upcoming vacations, and other future events.
Up your game in 2020 with these five quick and easy investing moves
Alana Benson
This year, pick some New Year’s resolutions that will stick. Here are five investing moves that will get your portfolio in order so fast, it might still be 2019 when you finish.
The Most Important Financial Move You Can Make in 2020
The start of a new year is a good time to take stock of your finances and change them for the better. That could mean making an effort to boost your retirement savings, paying off some costly debt, or socking away funds for specific goals on your radar, like college or buying a home.
Why you should consolidate those 401(k)s and IRAs
Many Americans hold multiple retirement accounts — and there are many reasons why they should consider combining those nest eggs instead of letting them gather dust.
4 Reasons to Sell a Mutual Fund
When people say “breaking up is hard to do,” they’re not talking about how difficult it is to say goodbye to a poorly performing investment. But knowing when to sell a fund that’s gone astray is tricky, too.