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• Mortgages and Retirees Don’t Mix

  By Scott Burns Q. My parents are looking for a house in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They are retired. They are trying to decide if they should pay cash for the house. They have close to $620,000 in savings (CDs, 401(k)s, IRA) and are looking for a $200... Posted Jul 23 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments Filed under: Home Ownership & Mortgages, Q&A (from print), Retirement

• Steps for Getting a Guaranteed Lifetime Income

  By Scott Burns Q. I am 73 and have investigated buying back the Social Security benefits I took at age 62. The buyback number is $158,529. My current monthly benefit is $1,231. A total buyback would give me a new monthly benefit of $2,019. This is a difference... Posted Jul 16 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement, Social Security

• Your Broker is a Hammer, Don't be a Nail

  By Scott Burns Q: I like my broker, but she and I differ on what type of fund to be in. I prefer a low-expense fund. She says: Forget expenses if the 10-year returns bear more fruit. I have $400,000 to invest. I want to do the following: 35 percent in... Posted Jul 09 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Financial Planning, Q&A (from print), Retirement

• Inflation Protected Securities Should Trump Stable Value, Long Term

  By Scott Burns Q. Which would be safest and offer the best long-term results for my 401(k) --- a stable value fund or an inflation-protected bond fund? ---O.C., by email A. Go for the inflation-protected bond fund. Long term, it will provide you with... Posted Jul 02 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement

• Even at Low Yields, Fixed Income Is Essential for a Retirement Portfolio

  By Scott Burns Q. I have around $1.2 million, mostly in equities. My house is paid for. There will be around $300,000 in company profit sharing when I retire, and that has been my ace in the hole for the conservative portion of my investments. If I were... Posted Jun 18 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement

• You Can Retire Early, but It May Require a Major “Reset”

  By Scott Burns Q. Am I too young to retire and survive? I am 55 years old, and before company reorganization and the elimination of my position, I had a plan. I was cutting back on spending and focusing on retirement, 401(k), savings and paying off my... Posted May 07 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement

• If You’re 85, Dream On. But If You’re 35, Get Busy

  By Scott Burns Q. Am I living the American Dream--- or will there be a rude awakening down the line? I am 85 years old, happily married for over 60 years with four grown children. Our comfortable home was paid for 30 years ago. We have a nice vehicle... Posted Feb 27 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement

• When, and How, To Rebalance Out of High Return Funds

  By Scott Burns Q. It is time for the annual rebalancing of my portfolio. Two of my funds, Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining (ticker: VGPMX) and Vanguard Energy (ticker: VGENX), have made 50 percent over the last year. Does it make sense to take the... Posted Feb 20 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement

• It’s the Portfolio Return that Counts, Not the Flat Tire in the Portfolio

  By Scott Burns Q. I need a pep talk. As of early January, my Vanguard 500 Index fund is 4.65 percent lower that it was at the close of 1999. So, for the last 8 years of patient investing, I have a 4.65 percent capital loss. Yes, I realize I am ignoring... Posted Jan 23 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement

• It’s All about Time and Money

  by Scott Burns Q: One of the really important things for having a sound retirement plan is the answer to a single question: "How long will I live?" I'm stunned that meaningful information is not available. Yes, I know there are sites where... Posted Nov 14 2007, 03:01 PM by admin with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement

• Why We’re All Confused about “Safe” Withdrawal Rates

  By Scott Burns Q. You confused me recently in a column about safe rates of withdrawal. I am 68 years old and 80 percent invested in CDs. My CDs are currently paying between 5 percent and 5.5 percent. If I withdraw only 4 percent or 5 percent from my investments... Posted Oct 10 2007, 03:30 PM by scottb with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement, Social Security

• Will the Real Safe Withdrawal Rate Please Stand Up?

  Q: The popular consensus suggests a 4 percent withdrawal rate from investments after retirement. My question is: 4 percent of what? Once I had all my assets with a financial adviser who charged a 1.5 percent advisory fee and invested in very expensive... Posted Aug 29 2007, 04:30 PM by scottb with | with 3 comment(s) Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement

• When It Comes To College Saving, Keep It Simple

  Q. How about some guidance on saving for college. My daughters both have new babies and want to start saving for college. I recommended mutual funds with Vanguard. One son-in-law wants to fund college through a life insurance program with a fraternity... Posted Jun 06 2007, 09:00 PM by scottb with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Income Investing, Q&A (from print), Resources, Retirement

• The Many Levels of Investment Expense

  Q. I am almost 70, and expect to retire the middle of this year with savings (IRA, 401k and company retirement lump-sum) that total about $1.5 million. I plan to roll everything to an IRA but will keep about $100,000 in liquid assets in the IRA for house... Posted Apr 18 2007, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Financial Planning, Q&A (from print), Retirement

• Retirees: Have a "Good Times" Fund

  Q. My husband and I have saved for 18 years. We now have a substantial retirement. He has been the primary earner; I have worked on and off part time. I have recently been ill with a potentially fatal disease and recovered, only to sustain a broken arm... Posted Mar 14 2007, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 13 comment(s) Filed under: Home Ownership & Mortgages, Q&A (from print), Retirement