Why do rising interest rates negatively affect bonds? Sam has a bond paying a 2% coupon. The Fed raises rates to 3% and suddenly, Sam’s bond is not as attractive, so the price of his bond drops to reflect the new yields. Along comes Bob – he can now either buy the new 3% bond, or buy Sam’s 2% bond but at a discount to ultimately yield 3%.
Whether it’s an email from an overseas prince asking you to wire cash, or an unsolicited phone call from someone asking for identifiable information, scams are a familiar concern that can cause an unsuspecting victim financial harm and heartache. Protect yourself and your loved ones from telephone, email, mail or other types of scams by questioning the conversation. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum offers six signs that an offer might be a scam. Scammers Contact You “Out of the Blue.”…
INTRODUCTION In my most recent installment of this series, I wrote about a few hard to believe nuances of Social Security benefits. In this final installment, we are going to meet Pat and Val, a married couple with gender-neutral names, and review some simple and more complex Social Security planning strategies available to them. In the following comparisons: Val and Pat are the same age Their “full retirement age” (FRA) is 66 Val’s benefit at FRA is $1,000 Pat’s benefit…
By Kath Suchan Siblings, you got to love them. First of all, I am the “baby of the family” and sometimes it is difficult for my five older siblings to realize that I may know just a bit more than they do when it comes to financial planning issues. There are times I feel like I am a five years old again carrying on the “Is so,” “Is not,” “Is so,” “Is not” intellectual exchange. This article is a result…
INTRODUCTION In my last article, I provided an overview of the calculations behind taking benefits early or delaying benefits. In this installment, we were going to meet Pat and Val, a married couple with gender-neutral names, and review some of the simple and complex Social Security planning strategies available to them. Unfortunately, I have been fighting a headache for a several days and I cannot get by head around that topic just now. Instead I will fast forward to the…
TD Ameritrade Institutional is pleased to announce that you can now take the convenience of AdvisorClient.com with you, wherever you go, with the launch of the AdvisorClient Mobile App. AdvisorClient Mobile enables you to view real-time account balances, positions and transaction history from your Apple iPhones.* Other convenient features include: • Consolidated account balances • Remote check deposit • Detailed quotes • Third-party research • Quick access to Advisor contact information If you wish begin using AdvisorClient Mobile, visit the…
In my last article, I provided a bit of history regarding the inception of Social Security, some trivia regarding its early days, and a few key definitions. This installment is going to give you an overview of the calculations behind taking benefits early or delaying benefits. Be forewarned, this article is full of acronyms. What’s Your FRA? If you remember from the last newsletter, FRA stands for Full Retirement Age and is based on your year of birth. See the…
By Nicholas Frost, Attorney, Hershner Hunter (reprinted with permission of the author) Many same-sex couples who are now getting married as a result of the recent Oregon federal district court ruling may be revoking their wills without knowing it. Oregon law generally provides that marriage revokes an existing will. Many previously unmarried Oregon couples may now opt to get married in light of the court ruling overturning Oregon’s ban on same-sex marriage. Those couples may not realize the risk that…
This is the first of a series on Social Security – primarily focusing on the retirement benefits. The goal for this series is to address the key questions asked by our clients. Questions like: When should I begin taking Social Security? What options are available to me? Which options are better for my circumstances? Will my benefits be taxable? I am going to heed Sgt. Joe Friday’s words and provide “Just the facts, ma’am.” Therefore, I will not be making…