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My Hedge Fund Portfolio Keeps Moving Ahead

Hedge funds continue to make headlines, and most of them are not good. The big insider-trading case involved a hedge fund firm, and news stories indicate the investment process of the firm was to get an “information edge” that apparently included...

Published 10-29-2009 10:42 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Carlson, Bob Carlson, investments, hedge funds, risk-adjusted returns, higher returns with less risk

How to Revise Your Retirement Plan

Despite the rally in stocks and other risky assets since March 9, many portfolios are still damaged from the events of the last few years. For those who are retired or near retirement, one step you have to take after such an event is to re-evaluate your...

Published 09-03-2009 1:25 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Carlson, Bob Carlson, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, portfolio theory

Hedge Funds for the Rest of Us

Hedge funds used to occupy a small, obscure part of the investment world. They were out of the public eye; few investors even knew about them. Regulators ignored them, as a matter of law. Gradually hedge funds became more prominent. A few of the pioneers...

Published 07-23-2009 11:41 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Carlson, Bob Carlson, financial crisis, stock, stock market, investments, market timing, modern portfolio theory, portfolio theory, market indicators, hedge funds

Navigating the Fifth Stage of the Crisis

Pilots have a saying, "Any landing you walk away from is a good landing." Even so, some landings are better than others, and pilots always strive for a smooth touchdown. A type of rough landing is call "porpoising." Instead of gently...

Published 06-26-2009 9:17 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Carlson, Bob Carlson, financial crisis, stocks, investments

A Dangerous Retirement Myth

Many retirement plans fall short of their goals because they were built on myths and misunderstandings. Most of my work at Retirement Watch falls into two categories. The first category is determining changes that should affect retirement plans. The second...

Published 04-17-2009 10:15 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, retirement plan, retirement, medical expenses, retiree health care, retirement plans, investments

Dos and Don'ts of IRA Investing

Many people own substantial IRAs and have the bulk of their investment portfolios in IRAs. Some of these investors might not realize there are investments that are prohibited from IRAs and others are allowed but incur tax penalties. The issue of how to...

Published 04-03-2009 10:18 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, real estate, retirement plan, retirement, retirement plans, employer stock, stock, selling a business, small business, stocks, investments, portfolios

How to Revise Your Spending Plan

The swift declines in most asset classes in late 2008 and into 2009 damaged many portfolios. For those who are retired or near retirement, one necessary step after such an event is to re-evaluate retirement spending. Specifically you have to check the...

Published 03-27-2009 11:24 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, IRA Benefits, estates, Carlson, Bob Carlson, iras, ira distributions, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, insurance, annuities, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, income investing

The Wealth Effect, Your Portfolio, and Your Retirement

The net worth of Americans is declining. That is no secret, though the extent of the decline will surprise many. The decline has affected and will continue to affect the economy, stock market, and your portfolio. The Federal Reserve gives a picture of...

Published 02-27-2009 9:26 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Carlson, Bob Carlson, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, indicators, market timing, modern portfolio theory, portfolio theory, market indicators

Asset Declines=A Planning Opportunity - Part 2

Last week we discussed how today’s economic distress creates estate planning opportunities. Because of today’s reduced asset values, estate owners can shift assets out of their estates tax at much lower tax cost than they could have a year...

Published 02-20-2009 11:46 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, income taxes, trusts, homes, estate taxes, grandkids, annual exclusion, grandchildren, financial crisis, investments, portfolios

Asset Declines=A Planning Opportunity

There is at least one silver lining in today's dark clouds—estate planning opportunities are being created. Falling market prices and low interest rates are a great combination for estate planners. If the price depression of the assets is temporary...

Published 02-13-2009 2:33 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, estate taxes, grandkids, real estate, annual exclusion, grandchildren, financial crisis, stock, stocks, investments, portfolios

What is Ahead for 2009

Major structural changes have occurred in the economy and markets, and more changes are on the way. The failure of Lehman Brothers was a watershed event. Investors stopped making even routine transactions, bailing out of even money market funds. The effects...

Published 02-10-2009 2:32 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Carlson, Bob Carlson, iras, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, market timing, modern portfolio theory, portfolio theory, market indicators, income investing

Taking Advantage of the 0% Capital Gains Tax Rate

For the two lowest tax brackets, the tax rate in 2008 through 2010 is 0% for qualified dividends and long-term capital gains. This compares to the 15% top rate others will pay on those types of income. Single taxpayers with taxable income up to around...

Published 01-30-2009 5:21 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, trusts, estate taxes, grandkids, grandchildren, retirement, stock, stocks, investments, portfolios

Trustee Strategies for the 21st Century

Trusts are part of more and more estate plans. Often trusts are used to hold and manage assets for younger generations. Sometimes the beneficiaries are too young or inexperienced to manage the assets. Other times the older generation is afraid the younger...

Published 01-16-2009 12:04 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, tax-free gifts, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, trusts, estate taxes, grandkids, grandchildren, creditor protection, asset protection, investments

A Tricky Year-End for IRA Owners

Update Dec. 19: On Dec. 11 Congress passed legislation that suspended the required minimum distribution requirement for 2009. But it did not change the requirement for 2008. the IRS was asked by members of Congress to suspend the requirement for 2008...

Published 12-05-2008 9:15 AM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, market timing

Your Retirement Plan and the New Washington

Come January, Democrats will be in charge all over Washington. They campaigned on a theme of change, and we should expect major changes. The questions are which changes and how will they affect your retirement finances? I will focus on the changes I think...

Published 11-07-2008 12:44 PM by Bob Carlson

Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, estates, Estate tax, taxable gifts, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, estate taxes, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, market timing, market indicators

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