If you’re a woman in or near retirement, let me ask you this: “How do you plan to take what you’ve so diligently saved and turn it into a lifetime stream of dependable, predictable, tax-advantaged income?”

If you’re like many of us, you probably don’t have a ready answer to this question. That’s because you’ve been busy doing “all the right things.” You’ve been working, saving, maximizing your 401K, paying off debts, being a caregiver, running a household, etc. It’s likely you haven’t really had time to think about what to do when the time comes to stop working and live on what you’ve accumulated.

I want to suggest: Take some time to consider annuities...

The IRS restricts specific investment options for an IRA.

These restrictions do not allow investment in collectibles, antiques, and other assets. Here is a list: If an IRA invests in collectibles, the amount invested is considered distributed in the year invested. The account owner may have to pay a 10% additional tax on early distributions.

Here are some examples of prohibited assets held in an IRA:

• Artwork

• Rugs and other home furnishings

• Antiques

• Precious metals, some exceptions for gold bullion

• Gems, diamonds, other precious stones

• Stamps and coins as collections

• Alcoholic beverages

• Certain other tangible personal property based on the exact...

First and foremost, I want to let you know that I would never try to sell you on anything. I have learned in my 40 years of experience that if I try to talk you into something, anybody can come right along and talk you out of it, so that is not my objective. However, with math, science, and reason, I would like to reaffirm some very important facts and figures about your retirement planning:

1. We all know the market is cyclical, it goes up, and it goes down. We have had the longest upmarket, “Bull Market,” in the history of the stock market; over the last nine years. Thus, Reason alone tells us that we are due for a market correction, “Bear Market.” Math and science prove...

Improve 401(k) performance with these tips

In addition to the below tips, make sure to fully understand asset allocation and the fees being charged. Many 401(k) plans have fees subtracted by the firm that invests and manages the account. If a client is 59 1/2  years old and still working at the same firm where the 401(k) is, the funds can be rolled to a self-directed IRA without any tax exposure. This allows the client to select an asset allocation that might be more timely, especially as retirement age draws closer.

A 401(k) at a former employer can be rolled to a self-directed IRA at any time. This tax-free transfer allows many more options for investing.

1. Be Informed: Be...