Bristlecone Blog

The Federal Reserve, in its relentless push to re-ignite inflation, might want to check in with Stan Kroenke, real estate developer and owner of the Los Angeles Rams.

As fiduciaries, we continually question whether our investment process is sound and likely to deliver the returns that our clients need to reach their goals. We draw from history, academic studies, common sense, and apply the lessons to today’s environment. We are generally skeptical of the oft-repeated phrase: “This time it’s different.” It is often abused to justify poor assumptions and flawed decisions. Yet, the current pandemic triggered some unprecedented policy responses from governments around the world.

This sweeping bill offers several adjustments to our current laws surrounding saving and preparing for retirement. The SECURE Act is poised to: provide more part-time workers with the opportunity to participate in an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan, adjust the age caps on traditional IRAs and increase access to tax-advantaged retirement savings accounts. Below we’re outlining the most prominent changes of this new act and how they may affect your own retirement.

Many seniors breathe a sigh of relief upon reaching age 65—and qualifying for Medicare. Private health insurance is a major household expense for those aged 50-64, and Medicare coverage is significantly cheaper. Even so, some seniors are surprised to learn that they could be subject to additional out-of-pocket Medicare premiums...

(...) quite a few people in the workforce today have accumulated at least some pension credits with a former employer. Many will be offered a lump-sum payout instead of these promised pension benefits. For those weighing such a decision, here are seven critical issues to keep in mind:

No matter when you decide to stop or phase-out of work, there are some important milestones to remember and plan for: