Why Buffer Funds Haven’t Escaped the Bear Market

From: www.morningstar.com

This year’s brutal market has tested their downside protection.

Buffer funds—which promise to limit downside losses from equity market exposure while capping upside returns—have grown increasingly popular. By my count, there are now roughly 120 exchange-traded funds plus a handful of open-end mutual funds following this approach. Since the first buffer products appeared on the scene in 2016, assets have…

The 4% Rule Just Became a Whole Lot Easier

From: www.advisorperspectives.com

I built a 4.36% real (inflation-adjusted) systematic withdrawal portfolio using a 30-Year TIPS ladder.

In June, I wrote about safe spend rates and concluded that a balanced portfolio could only support a 3.3% real withdrawal rate for a 30 year period with a 90% chance of success. There are differing opinions on what a safe spend rate should…

This Investor Awareness Guide, with a forward by David H. Morgan, contains fundamental, valuable economics. Click to view the full article.

TIPS Versus I Bonds

From: www.morningstar.com

I Bonds boast tax advantages, but purchase limits reduce appeal.

When investors think about adding explicit inflation protection to their portfolios, Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, or TIPS, are usually top of mind, as it’s easy to obtain exposure to these securities by scooping up a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund. But investors looking to add explicit…

Are Series I Bonds Right for Retirees?

From: retirement.tips

There have been lots of headlines lately about how investing in Series I savings bonds, which offer an initial interest rate of 9.62% through October 2022, can help investors keep up with the current red-hot inflation rate. 

If you’re approaching (or in) retirement, however, are these bonds as good an investment as they are for younger investors? Let’s break…

Do you have over $100,000? Watch this video, and receive your free Safety First Strategy Assessment.

Ultimate Tools to Longevity Risk Planning

From: Joeseph Clark, CFEd®, RFC®

Managing risk is as important today as it has always been. For example, when it comes to our biggest asset, our home, we’re protected with homeowners insurance. When it comes to our cars and the risk of liability in the event of an accident, our autos are insured. And of course, when it comes to our health and the enormous…

REAP’s affiliate strategist Horizon Investments introduces
“Risk Assist” for investment risk mitigation.

How to Prepare Portfolios for Rising Interest Rates

From: FlexShares.com

Historical data helps identify assets that may be positioned to fare well when higher rates threaten fixed-income and equity returns

For a good illustration of how investors typically react to the prospect of higher interest rates, look at what happened in January 2022. News that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) might begin raising rates as early as March sparked market volatility that…