Congress recently raised the age that you have to take distributions from your tax-deferred retirement accounts, such a 401k or Individual Retirement Account (IRA). These changes also allow for more tax-deferred growth and possible Roth conversions before the required distributions begin. What is a Required Minimum Distribution? Under the Secure Act (Setting Every Community Up […]
Author Archive | Michael Wroblewski, CFP®
No-fee Mutual Funds Improve Investment Returns
Over two years ago Fidelity Investments began offering several index or passive, no-fee mutual funds. The two main funds track indices of the entire domestic stock market and all of the international stock markets. No-fee funds have the potential to increase your investment returns. Management and administration fees otherwise reduce the fund’s return. At the […]
Tips to Consider Whether to Refinance Your Mortgage
Recent headlines proclaim that mortgage interest rates are at their lowest levels in 50 years. And you are wondering whether you should refinance your mortgage. It all depends on your current mortgage interest rate, your monthly payment, and the remaining amount of time on your current loan. It could be a great time to lower […]
Three Steps Federal Retirees Can Use to Decide Whether to Enroll in Medicare Part B
Use the FEHB plan’s out-of-pocket cap to help you decide whether to enroll in Medicare Part B.
CARES Act Suspends Most Student Loan Payments
The recently enacted CARES Act provides relief for Federal student loan borrowers. It is good news for those enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan or in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. The Act suspends most Federal student loan payments and interest accrual between March 13 and September 30, 2020. Principal balances are also frozen […]
A March to Remember
Most investors would like to forget March 2020. Times of uncertainty and market stress, however, have reinforced three investing fundamentals. Remembering these fundamentals will help keep your investment goals on track. 1. Vast uncertainty causes dramatic and quick stock price movements. For the 12 months prior to March 2020, the US stock market, as measured […]
Place a Free Security Freeze on Your Credit Reports
Place a free security freeze on your credit reports. Don’t be fooled by the credit bureaus attempts to sign up for credit lock. A credit lock is not free and provides the same protection as a security freeze.
No-Fee Mutual Fund Investing is a Reality
Fidelity Investments recently launched four no-fee mutual funds to gain a competitive advantage against rivals Vanguard and Schwab. This move along with lowering existing index fund fees and eliminating minimum investment amounts go a long way to making investing easier and more affordable for investors. This blog explains how you can take advantage of these […]
Wells Fargo: Time to Switch?
You may be asking whether it is time to switch your asset accounts from Wells Fargo to another bank. For nearly two years federal and state authorities have been investigating the bank’s business practices and have uncovered disturbing trends. The first investigation uncovered the secret creation of millions of bank and credit card accounts without […]
How to Find an Advisor with a Fiduciary Duty
The Department of Labor recently abandoned its fiduciary duty rule for retirement advisers. The Department was responding to a recent Court of Appeals decision overturning the rule completely. So what does this mean for you and your investments if you are working with (or plan to work with) an advisor? Make sure you know the […]