Retirement Planning

by Ryan W. Smith Investing is a difficult, often frustrating task, even for the most seasoned of investors. Market forces outside of individual control will often eliminate, in mere hours or days, gains that often …

It is true that Index Funds in recent years have vastly outperformed the majority of actively managed funds, but this is not always the case in all corners of the market. Broad-market Index Funds can …

Most investors will claim, upon examination, that they do not try to time the market. Most investors are only kidding themselves. There is never a lack of people who claim “they knew” something was going …

A consistent approach is necessary to reap true, sustainable long-term gains from investing, fending off market forces outside our control and sailing through any storms we encounter. However, there is one aspect of investing that …

by Ryan W. Smith Many Americans are on-pace to outlive their retirement savings, according to several surveys and studies of American retirement planning in the past few years. We’ve discussed this issue previously, from different …

There are few times when the words “tax credits” and “retirement savings” co-exist, but there are two main tax credits that most eligible retirement savers just are not aware of. The Retirement Savings Contributions Credit …

by Ryan W. Smith It is well known that Americans have long been behind the curve when it comes to retirement savings. However, in recent years a new trend is emerging, thanks in part to …

Data from Bank of America Merrill Lynch that the increase auto-enrollments into 401(k) plans has led to higher 401(k) participation, 85% of these auto enrollment plans also utilize an automatic increase in 401(k) contributions, usually …

A well-designed enrollment plan, including auto enrollment, has been shown to both participation rates and contribution rates. These plans work well, many believe, because it reduces the number of decisions an enrollee must make to …