Articles and Videos

Articles

Beware of the Hidden Taxes in Retirement

February 11, 2021

One of the bigger myths that people often take into retirement is that their tax situation will become simpler once they’ve stopped earning a paycheck.  While this may be true in some instances, it’s certainly not the case for everyone.  In fact, it may be that your tax headaches are just beginning. Knowing what to expect, and then making plans in anticipation of that, is one of the best things you can do to potentially improve your financial situation in retirement. 

Capitalize

How can you potentially increase your income in retirement? Interview with Dr. Wade Pfau- Season 1: Episode 4

February 8, 2021

Can you increase your retirement income AND your legacy for your heirs? Is it the right time to look into buying an annuity? On today’s podcast, Chris Panagiotu, CFP®, CRPS®, is joined by Dr. Wade Pfau, Ph.D., CFA, RICP®,  host of the Retirement Researcher Blog, monthly columnist for Advisor Perspectives, and all-around smart guy. Chris will get into the reasons why Dr. Pfau believes that bonds may not belong in a portfolio, and why right now may – or may not – be a good time to look into annuities.  Lots to talk about on Part One of our interview on this edition of CAPitalize, a podcast for the intelligent investor!

Managing Your Financial Future

Is It Time to Re-Think the “4-Percent Rule?”- Season 4: Episode 12

February 8, 2021

It’s a fact that retirees in general dislike spending down their savings.  In today’s low interest rate environment, and given declining dividend yields, how should one remove money from a portfolio for income without damaging the portfolio’s integrity and longevity? There are several possible routes to take, and unfortunately, many people may be tempted to reach for yield with either low-quality bond purchases or stocks with higher dividend yields.  But doing so almost certainly will raise the risk within a portfolio without any guarantee of higher returns.

Articles

How the 2020 Economic Relief Acts Will Affect You in 2021

February 4, 2021

If nothing else, 2020 was a year of change.  Most of it temporary, some of it permanent.  This was true in all phases of life, including finance.  We saw, among other things, stimulus checks (two rounds), extra unemployment benefits, and people who were forced to relocate and change their lives completely around. Each of these… View Article

Managing Your Financial Future

Creating Income When Interest Rates Are Low- Season 4: Episode 11

February 2, 2021

It’s a fact that retirees in general dislike spending down their savings.  In today’s low interest rate environment, and given declining dividend yields, how should one remove money from a portfolio for income without damaging the portfolio’s integrity and longevity? There are several possible routes to take, and unfortunately, many people may be tempted to reach for yield with either low-quality bond purchases or stocks with higher dividend yields.  But doing so almost certainly will raise the risk within a portfolio without any guarantee of higher returns.

Capitalize

Is flexibility the key to a successful retirement? Interview with Dr. Michael Finke – Season 1: Episode 3

January 28, 2021

Are we in a risky time in the market?  What does the CAPE ratio mean and why is it valuable? Part 2 of our discussion with Dr. Michael Finke, Ph.D., CFP®, professor of wealth management and director of the Grantham Center for Financial Security. Host Chris Panagiotu, CFP®, CRPS®,  speaks with Dr. Finke about risk, and more specifically, why it’s important to know what risks you may be willing to take in your investments. Get more details on Part Two of this edition of CAPitalize, a podcast for the intelligent investor!

Capitalize

Can you take as much from your portfolio in retirement as you think? Interview with Dr. Michael Finke – Season 1: Episode 2

January 28, 2021

It was commonly thought at one time that you could confidently take 4% of your portfolio each year in retirement and you’d be okay. Is that still true today? And what about fixed income? Are you putting yourself at risk with bonds? Chris Panagiotu, CFP®, CRPS®, is joined on today’s podcast by Dr. Michael Finke, Ph.D., CFP®,  professor of wealth management and director of the Grantham Center for financial Security.  Chris and Dr. Finke have a lot to discuss, including today’s historically low bond yields, and why Dr. Finke believes that lower rates of return across the globe are likely to be the norm in the 21st Century. If that’s true, then where will we find a decent yield?  Find out on Part One of this edition of CAPitalize, a podcast for the intelligent investor!”

Capitalize

Are you doing the right thing to retire successfully? Interview with Dr. David Blanchett – Season 1: Episode 1

January 28, 2021

It was quite a ride in 2020. But regardless of where the markets are now, or have been, the financial goals for many people likely remain the same: enjoy retirement to the fullest, and don’t run out of money, before they run out of time. Of course, there are no guarantees that every one of your goals will be realized; life just doesn’t work that way. The key is to set yourself up so that the potential for success is there — and to enlist the help of someone who works toward making it happen. What are some of the most common mistakes people make in their financial portfolio?  If you have 10, 15 or more years to retirement, what are the steps YOU should take to strive to manage financial success? Dr. David Blanchett, CFP®,CFA® , and head of the retirement research division of Morningstar Investment Management, spoke recently with Lucia Capital Group advisor Chris Panagiotu, CFP® , CRPS® , about market strategies for 2021, maintaining focus on your goals, and how a financial advisor may add potential value to your overall retirement savings.

Managing Your Financial Future

Is a Roth Option in Your 401(k) Worth Considering?- Season 4: Episode 10

January 26, 2021

When it comes to retirement savings, you have a fair number of choices available to you. One of the more popular options comes in the form of your employer’s 401(k) plan. And these days, a growing number of employers are offering a Roth option to that plan. The question for some people is whether the… View Article

Managing Your Financial Future

How the Pandemic Affected Your Finances- Season 4: Episode 9

January 19, 2021

If it seems to you like 2020 was an unusual year, you’re right – in more ways than one!  Of particular concern to many people was their financial situation.  Whether it was dealing with a job loss or change of employment, working from home, unemployment benefits, stimulus checks, or something else entirely, there’s little question… View Article

Articles

Is It Smart to Pay Off Your Mortgage?

January 7, 2021

If you’ve ever considered taking some extra money and paying down (or paying off) your home mortgage, you may have found that arriving at a decision wasn’t as easy as you thought. The choice usually is this: either put those funds toward the mortgage, or invest it and hope for greater net returns. There are two aspects to consider here: the emotional and the rational. And those two are often in conflict with one another.  How do you decide what to do?

Managing Your Financial Future

The Triple Tax Benefits of an HSA- Season 4: Episode 8

January 5, 2021

If there’s one thing most people can agree on when it comes to money, it’s probably this: we don’t like to pay taxes. If there’s a permissible way to avoid a higher tax bill, common sense would tell us that it’s wise to consider it. A Roth IRA, for example, gives us the potential for… View Article