You’re probably familiar with mutual funds. They are arguably the most common type of investment choice for 401(k) and other retirement accounts. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), by contrast, have only been around since the early 1990s, and have not yet found their way into very many retirement plan menus. But they are widely available for…
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As a follow up to a blog I wrote a few weeks ago (Do You Really Want to Sell Your Bonds Now?), I thought it would be a good idea to provide a little more data about how bond funds might be expected to perform during periods of rising rates. The following table was developed…
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I wrote a blog last month explaining why it’s so difficult to get good advice on annuities, especially the more complex ones like variable annuities. We’re now starting to see the risks associated with failing to read all the fine print in that fifty page annuity contract. AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co. notified clients last…
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Back in February I wrote a blog about whether or not it makes sense to avoid bonds today (https://www.cognizantwealth.com/2013/02/14/should-you-avoid-bonds-in-todays-environment/). My conclusion was that bonds remain a critically important part of an investment portfolio, but that bond buyers need to be more selective in the current environment.  Last month the Fed announced that it is considering…
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