How Much Income Will I Need in Retirement? Yogi Berra reportedly said, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” So how can we predict the income we’ll need in retirement? (At the end of this article, there is very simple advice on this question.) A study just released by the Employee Benefits Research …Read More

Market Results:  Q3 2013 In 2011 and 2012, the third quarter was a rocky ride because of discrete events, but this year Q3 was generally good. Most asset classes did well, with bonds showing modest gains after their losses last quarter. Stocks generally had very strong gains.  Note that emerging markets stocks suffered sharp losses …Read More

What Did the Markets Do On Their Summer Vacation? This summer US and developed international stock markets delivered nice returns, but most other asset classes declined:  bonds, emerging markets stocks, real estate, and commodities. Bonds were hurt by rising interest rates (real and anticipated).  Emerging markets stocks were hurt by reports of slowing economies, fiscal …Read More

Earn Money or Enjoy Life? Is it better to spend your time earning money, or enjoying life? That’s the question posed in the children’s book “Henry Hikes to Fitchburg” by D. B. Johnson, inspired by a passage from Henry David Thoreau. In the book, Henry and his friend (two bears) decide to meet in Fitchburg …Read More

Long Term Care Insurance Going Up A 71-year old Massachusetts man will pay $3300 per year for his long term care insurance, up 10% from last year, according to a story in the Boston Globe on September 6. Premiums are generally going up while some companies like Prudential and John Hancock have stopped issuing new …Read More