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The United States Economy

Personal Fiscal Cliff Protection

Personal Fiscal Cliff Protection

Personal Fiscal Cliff Protection | November 26, 2012 | , , ,

As the media outlets have recently been highlighting, Congress is on the hook to work together in forming a plan to keep our country from going over the fiscal cliff… this fiscal cliff is referring to the impact of current laws which could result in sizeable tax increases and spending cuts if left unchanged. An equally important fiscal cliff that has unfortunately not been getting as much publicity is the potential personal fiscal cliff that retirees without a pension plan or any other guaranteed lifetime...

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Survey Results: ‘Anxiety Index’ is Highest among Baby Boomers

Survey Results: ‘Anxiety Index’ is Highest among Baby Boomers

Survey Results: ‘Anxiety Index’ is Highest among Baby Boomers | August 11, 2012 | ,

A recent AARP survey has revealed that baby boomers are most concerned with the following issues: inflation, taxes, the opportunity to eventually retire, financial security during retirement, and the affordability of health care. These five factors are what drives the new polling feature called the “Anxiety Index”. In this survey of 1,852 registered voters found that non-retired 50-64 year olds (baby boomers) scored a 70 percent on the Anxiety Index. This score is much higher than the 59 percent score from 18-49 year olds and...

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How Deregulation Gave Way to a Global Financial Collapse

How Deregulation Gave Way to a Global Financial Collapse

How Deregulation Gave Way to a Global Financial Collapse | May 31, 2012 | , , , ,

Written By: Cal Burgess, Retirement Servicing Group PLLC Prior to 1980, there had not been a major financial collapse in the market since the Great Depression. Protective measures had been put in place to help shield investors from heightened periods of volatility. For example, commercial banks who received deposits for basic checking or savings accounts were prohibited from offering risky investments such as mutual funds. These were the days prior to adjustable rate mortgages and predatory lending. All of these measures were put into place...

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A Reflection of our Federal Stimulus

A Reflection of our Federal Stimulus

A Reflection of our Federal Stimulus | May 29, 2012 | , ,

Written By: Cal Burgess, Retirement Servicing Group PLLC Prior to 2008 the Federal Government remained diligent upon separation of private business and fiscal policy. All of that changed in September of 2008. The initial federal stimulus of Wall Street was sparked by plummeting Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs). Yes, we have all heard the news. However, there is still an inherent misunderstanding of the trillions of dollars of stimulus that followed. After the initial bailout of Wall Street that exceeded $800 billion; the Federal Reserve, led...

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Adaptation to an Evolving Market

Adaptation to an Evolving Market

Adaptation to an Evolving Market | May 25, 2012 | , , , ,

Written By: Cal Burgess, Retirement Servicing Group PLLC In the latter part of March 2012, despite the growing concerns of a debt-ridden Euro, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was able to creep above the 13,000 mark for the first time in 2012. Even with this market rally, the struggling mortgage industry lowered the 30-year fixed mortgage below 4 percent again (and mortgage interest rates are still falling). With legitimate foreign concerns and a troubled housing sector, the stock market has been able to sustain higher...

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Don’t rely on social security for all your retirement income needs

Don’t rely on social security for all your retirement income needs

Don’t rely on social security for all your retirement income needs | February 15, 2012 | , , ,

The good old days of working hard for 30+ years and then retiring with a pension plan and social security or even just social security are in a sharp decline if not over. Certainly if you are not close to age 62 the likely hood that social security will be all the retirement income you need is very low.  With the ever growing medical expenses more and more baby boomers are likely to outlive their retirement income.   The stagnant economy also presents a threat...

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Gen X Might Be Less Prepared Than Their Baby Boomer Parents

Gen X Might Be Less Prepared Than Their Baby Boomer Parents

Gen X Might Be Less Prepared Than Their Baby Boomer Parents | January 25, 2012 | , ,

Just when we thought the baby boomers had their hands full trying to get prepared for retirement, we might have overlooked another generation who fairs even worse.  A recent survey revealed that Generation X might be even worse off than their parents.  Moreover, many of them have given up on contributing to their 401k’s and the stock market in general.   From Life Health Pro by Elizabeth Festa   Nearly two-thirds, or 65%, of the members in Generation X lack confidence that they will have...

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What Does Hypothecation Mean In Regards To Banking?

What Does Hypothecation Mean In Regards To Banking?

What Does Hypothecation Mean In Regards To Banking? | January 8, 2012 | , , ,

I am always shocked at the lack of education that American’s have in regards to how banks work.  When I talk to people about the financial crisis of 2008 in regards to the out of control leveraging that many of the country’s largest banks partook in, most consumers look at me with a confused look.  I think many of them would rather just keep going to the ATM and be content that it spits out cash at them.  But understanding how banks leverage your money...

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