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Fiduciary Papers #16: The Annuitization Decision and the Need for Conflict-Free Advice
In recent years a major development has occurred with respect to annuities … more and more insurance companies are offering annuity products with no commissions. These products can deliver more of the returns of the capital markets to the consumer. If offered to plan participants, such products could greatly enhance a retiree’s financial security and…
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Fiduciary Papers #15: The Prudent Investor Rule, 401k Accounts, and Tax-Efficient Investing
In the 401(k) world there has for many years been the option for plan participants to contribute to Roth 401(k) accounts, rather than traditional 401(k) account. For contributions to Roth accounts, no income tax deduction is provided, but (subject to certain requirements) the Roth account permits income-tax-free distributions after age 59-1/2 years. 401(k) accounts, and…
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Fiduciary Papers #14: It’s Time to End Commissions and Revenue Sharing
It is possible that all commission-based compensation involving the sale of investment products, life insurance products, and annuities could be eliminated. And it would be right and just to do so. Every commission can be transformed into a clearly understandable fixed fee that would be paid directly by the consumer. There is no need today…
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Fiduciary Papers #13: Stockbrokers and Insurance Agents: The Use of Titles May Trigger Fiduciary Status Under State Common Law (and Now Under ERISA)
Can the use of a title – such as “financial planner” (or CFP) or “financial consultant” or “wealth manager” or “investment consultant” or similar – by the registered represent of a broker-dealer firm, and/or by an insurance agent, result in the application of fiduciary duties? The short answer is “yes” (in many instances). The use…
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A Rough Quarter-to-Date for Equities Brings Forth Higher Expected Returns
(As of Nov. 6, 2023) October 2023 was a rough month for investment returns, with asset class returns in these ranges (as implemented via Dimensional Funds Advisors’ mutual funds and ETFs): U.S. Large Company stocks: – 1.6% to -4.2%, approximately U.S. Small Company stocks: – 4.8% to -6.5%, approximately Foreign Developed Markets Small…
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My College Students overcome fear via “The Four Trials of Western Kentucky University”
Is going to college about acquiring knowledge, or skills? In decades past, before the internet, learning and memorizing facts had greater importance than it has today. With the rise of information on the web, and now the rise of AI (to sift through such information quickly, and then to present information in a desired fashion),…
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