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Author Archives: Lon Jefferies
The Bucket Approach
According to various studies, the first of which was published in Financial Analysts Journal in May, 1991, stock selection accounts for only 4.6 percent of investment returns, while market timing is responsible for only 1.8 percent. Meanwhile, the proportion of assets allocated to stocks, bonds and cash was found to account for 91.5 percent of [...]
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Are You Better Than The Average Investor?
The latest study conducted by DALBAR shows that from 1991 through 2010, the average equity fund investor realized an average annual total return of 3.8%, while the S&P 500 Index provided an average annual total return of 9.1%. Similarly, over the same time period the average fixed-income investor obtained an annual rate of return of [...]
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Are Social Security Benefits Taxed?
Ever wondered if your Social Security benefit is subject to Federal tax? It depends on your annual household income. The first step is to calculate your “provisional income,” which is a combination of all your taxable income plus half your Social Security benefit. Comparing your provisional income to he following chart tells you how much [...]
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Tax Rates – 2012 and Beyond
The following chart illustrates the Federal tax rates that will be applied to various income levels in 2012: Additionally, the following standard deduction levels and personal exemption will apply to all 2012 tax filings: Finally, the following chart details the changes in tax law that are scheduled to occur in 2013. Notice the increase in [...]
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How Much Can You Save in Retirement Accounts in 2012?
The following chart illustrates how much can be saved in various retirement accounts in 2012: However, your ability to make deductible IRA contributions and to qualify to make Roth IRA contributions fades out after you exceed certain income levels:
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Why Many Portfolios Seem To Have Under-Performed in 2011
Investors will soon receive their year-end statements for 2011 and will be analyzing their returns for what has been a very volatile year. When comparing their portfolio’s returns to popular large-cap indexes, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, many investors may see that their portfolio produced a [...]
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Is Your Financial Advisor Doing His/Her Job? Year-End Action Items
Is your financial advisor doing his/her job? If not it could cost you thousands of dollars in taxes and penalties. Year-end is a good time to test your advisor’s dedication to your financial success. Prior to the end of the year there are three things that should be addressed: capital gains, required distributions, and Roth [...]
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Why Your 401(k) May Change Significantly
Next year, 401(k) plan participants will see the true cost of their retirement accounts for the first time – and many will not be pleased. In April 2012, long-awaited Department of Labor rules designed to improve fee transparency in 401(k) plans will go into effect. Consequently, many employers are changing their 401(k) plan provider in [...]
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The More Things Change…
From May through September the investment environment was shaken by the American debt ceiling fiasco, increased political turmoil, a European debt crises, and unemployment at 9 percent. There were plenty of reasons to be concerned about the state of the global economy and markets moved sharply negative during this period. Naturally, investors and those close [...]
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Would You Pass The Chalkboard Test?