DOGE Wants to “Streamline” Social Security – That will be interesting.
The three largest expenses in the federal budget are Social Security/Medicare, interest on the debt, and defense.
February 10, 2025
Category: Uncategorized
No More Zero Interest Rates!
The Fed’s zero interest-rate policy (ZIRP) resulted in printing money. Quantitative easing (QE) seemed to work as the stock market saw it’s longest bull market in history.
February 5, 2025
IFG Viewpoint & Outlook
No Tax on Social Security Benefits?
We all love free money; and no taxes on Social Security sounds good! Hey, Social Security benefits weren’t taxed for many years!
January 27, 2025
Uncategorized
Protecting Wealth from Inflation
We all know the Fed target is 2% inflation; but, since COVID-19 and all the accompanying spending, it’s been tough going for the Fed. While the rate of inflation has been slowly declining, it’s still stubbornly around 3% – and with people living longer, it can still spell disaster for those facing retirement, especially with longer life expectancies.
July 15, 2024
Uncategorized
Key Retirement Milestones
Retirement milestones should actually begin the day you leave school and enter the workforce; but few people think about retirement at that age. They’re too busy starting careers. If they achieve early success, they won’t even be worried about retirement. It’s been my experience that it’s after age 50 they come through my door. By that time they’re done with stock tips and chasing rainbows. Age 50 has a way of making all of us start thinking.
June 25, 2024
Uncategorized
The REAL Cost of Luxury
When most people buy things, they see only the price tag; but that doesn’t reveal the REAL cost, especially when it comes to luxury items. The real cost of luxury can be more than they realize.
April 18, 2024
Uncategorized
What Does the Future Hold for Social Security?
It’s an election year, and while the headline topics dwell on the border, January 6th, the age of the candidates, and all the rest, few are talking about the “3rd rail” of politics: social security.
You can expect a few politicians will come up with innovative approaches (they know will never reach the floor for a vote), but it does make for good campaign sound bites. It can be confusing.
April 3, 2024
Uncategorized
Tax-Delayed Isn’t Tax-Free
Believe it or not, investing during working years was the easy part. Just keep accumulating! Even better, the money you put aside wasn’t taxable. Such a deal! Tax-delayed doesn’t mean tax-free however.
February 5, 2024
Uncategorized
Someone Predicts a Market Drop of 20%! So What?
It depends on how much you have invested in the market. If you’re a conservative retiree, should you care?
January 5, 2024
Uncategorized
If Inflation is Going Down, Why Don’t People Feel It?
Inflation deflates purchasing power. We all know that. After all, money is worth only what it buys.
December 12, 2023
