We've included a bunch of useful articles that we think will help answer any questions you might have about your retirement needs. Simply click "read more" links below to download the entire article.

Wharton School of Business Real World Index Annuity Returns Analysis

Financial advisors and financial planners have sought various programs to provide clients protection from systematic risk, also known as market risk. Various asset allocation strategies have been used with limited success when extreme market movements and “black swans” occur. It has been known for close to 50 years that equity market returns do not conform to a Guassian, or Normal distribution.

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How Much Do I Need to Save?

Many Americans realize the importance of saving for retirement, but knowing exactly how much they need to save is another issue altogether. With all the information available about retirement, it is sometimes difficult to decipher what is appropriate for your specific situation.

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A New Chapter for Retirement?

John F. Kennedy once said, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." This is certainly true of preparing for retirement. If we continue to expect that the ways of the past will see us through to our futures, we will be left behind. The methods that helped prepare us for retirement are quickly disappearing, and we must start using others

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What is a SIMPLE?

There are many types of employer-sponsored retirement plans. One that may appeal to small businesses and to self-employed individuals is the savings incentive match plan for employees of small employers (SIMPLE) because, as the name implies, it is easy to set up and administer, and employers are allowed to take a tax deduction for the contributions that are made.

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What is a Stretch IRA?

Finding a method to leave a lasting legacy to your loved ones without increasing their tax burdens can be difficult and complicated. A "stretch" IRA may be a useful approach that can benefit your heirs for generations to come.

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What is an IRA Rollover?

If you leave a job or retire, you might want to transfer the money you've invested in one or more employer-sponsored retirement plans to an individual retirement account (IRA). An IRA rollover is an effective way to keep your money accumulating tax deferred.

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What is a Roth IRA?

The arena of employer-sponsored retirement plans has been dominated by 401(k) plans that are funded by pre-tax contributions, which effectively defers taxes until distributions begin. However, the recently created Roth 401(k) is funded with after-tax money just like a Roth IRA, allowing retirees to enjoy qualified tax-free distributions once they reach age 59½ and have held their accounts for at least five years.

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Why Do People Buy Annuities?

There are a number of reasons why people buy annuities. This insurance-based financial vehicle can provide many benefits that retirement investors might want.

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Split Annuity Strategy

A split-annuity strategy involves purchasing two types of annuity contracts: immediate and deferred. The immediate annuity would provide a current income stream during the early years of retirement, and the deferred annuity would have the potential to provide a future income stream.

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Annuity Living Benefits

Many variable annuity contracts offer "living benefit" guarantees. For an additional cost, these living benefits can help protect variable annuity owners from market volatility or running out of money in retirement.

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