Source: Direxion Funds

February 16, 2017

By the numbers…....

• The S&P 500 has gained an average of 10.2% (total return) over the last 50 years. The index has also been positive over the last 8 years (9 years in a row is the all-time record), 13 of the last 14 calendar years, and 40 of the last 50 years.

• The split between up and down trading days for the S&P 500 over the last 50 years is 53% up and 47% down. The split during calendar year 2016 was 52/48.

February 16, 2017

If you’ve read or heard the term contrarian as it relates to stock picking, it refers to a philosophy that goes against the grain, someone who doesn’t follow the herd. At the end of 2015, for example, after the S&P 500 produced a total gain of only 1.4%, only 25% of stock investors were bullish (i.e., investors who thought the market was going higher).

February 16, 2017

Feel like you don't understand half of the television and print ads you see?  Here's why:

By John Zeltmann

Put away your calculators and W2 earnings statements.  This is not a math lesson - thank goodness - because the math behind the calculation of your Social Security retirement benefit can be pretty complicated.  That said, if you want to know the general calculations behind your Social Security retirement benefit, read on.

By John Zeltmann

If you were born after 1929, have 40 credits of earnings history (e.g. 10 years’ of work), and are at least 62 years of age, you are eligible to collect Social Security retirement benefits. (Note that I didn't include being a U.S. citizen as being a requirement...because it isn't one.) 

By John Zeltmann

You know you're entitled to a retirement benefit from Social Security, but there seem to be a lot of rules regarding when you can actually collect it. To understand some of those rules, let’s assume we’re talking about an individual at Full Retirement Age of 66 with a Primary Insurance Amount of $2,500 per month.

By Stanley F. Ehrlich

January 3, 2017

Happy New Year! Best wishes for a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2017.

As the year drew to a close, we moved into the prediction silly season. In an often futile attempt to predict and outsmart the markets, print, on-line, and television media were filled with pundits predicting the markets will go up (or down); interest rates will rise (or fall); housing prices will climb (or drop); and on, and on. It’s an inevitable occurrence.

Thus, I think it’s only fitting that I make at least one prediction, a prediction I am confident has a 100% probability of occurrence. Unfortunately, I’m unable to tell you the date when it will occur, as my predictive powers are somewhat limited.

By Stanley F. Ehrlich

January 3, 2017

I often tell my near 95-year old mother that we’re in charge of our bodies when it comes to doctors, but I’m constantly reminded that I’m dealing with someone from a generation who scrupulously listened to everything a doctor said.

By Stanley F. Ehrlich

January 3, 2017

As every client, prospect, friend, the Shop-Rite fishmonger, and my spouse can all attest, I think it’s important to discuss what people are going to do in retirement. (I know what they’re not going to do: work...but what are they going to do.) Some tell me they don’t need my help (e.g., my spouse), while others tell me they’re going to continue selling fish for a living (e.g., the fishmonger).

By John Zeltmann

While a Social Security recipient can collect her retirement benefit any time between 62 and 70, that doesn’t mean she has completely unfettered access with no strings attached. In fact, the Social Security earnings limit might prevent someone from collecting their full retirement benefit if they have employment earnings.