Here is our December 2017 Monthly review. If you are too busy to read, feel free to listen as we describe our post and thoughts in friendly podcast format.
So Long 2017 … Hello 2018 .. Nice to see you!
December 2017 Video
Financial Planning Tip (s) –
You have been IRMMAAtized – Options for Relief
In our post, here and here we discuss the Medicare Means testing levels, both historic and what we are faced with in 2018.
Due to the faster lower Tiers of income, the Social Security Administration has casted a wider net for all of us.
Here are the new levels, again from our post AND in even GREATER details in our Q1 2018 Newsletter.
A life event change may create relief – Life events not limited to the following-
- Marriage
- Divorce/Annulment
- Death of Your Spouse
- Work Stoppage
- Work Reduction
- Loss of Income-Producing Property
- Loss of Pension Income
- Employer Settlement Payment
Please see our Q1 2018 Newsletter for detailed instructions on how to get relief from these faster grabbing surcharges.
Personal Spring Cleaning in the Winter
Personal Reminder Email Tip
In our post mid-month here we discussed cleaning your emails to lower the Tidal Wave of daily emails.
After almost four weeks we are down to a trickle.
What was most interesting were the different experiences of who was up front and nice about the “Unsubscribe” request and who was down right dirty about letting us off their list. Surprised and disappointed with some companies.
Capital Market Comments
VIX – Fear Index Goes into Hibernation
We initially wrote in our Newsletter article and Blog post here, the VIX went to sleep … after another few closes below 10, we are coining it “Hibernation”
From 1990 to 2016 this Fear index closed below 10 a total of 9 times. During the year 2017, it has closed below that level 52 times and counting !!
Wow … Hibernation!
Interest Rate Increases
Just few years ago, with former FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) chair Ben Bernanke running the show, a miscalculated mention of a pending interest rate increase threw the Capital Markets into a tail spin – and that was just a mention of one small .25% increase. WOW-
When the history books are written on this period of time, FOMC members “Listening” to markets may be prominent, and possible reason for success.
In 2017, the FOMC raised rates 3 times with very little market disruption. They are on record for 3 more in 2018. The best part of this, market participants are not throwing a hissy fit and seem to be welcoming the increases.
Today, we think NOT increasing the rates as forecasted would cause more harm than increasing – exactly the opposite of just a few years ago. Way to pivot FOMC officials.
Happy New Year!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
January 2018 Podcast Video, Financial Planning and Capital Market Update- By John Kvale
Hello and Welcome to our January 2018 Financial Planning and Capital Market Update!
If you are too busy to read, feel free to listen as we describe our post and thoughts in friendly podcast format.
January 2018 Video
Financial Planning Tip (s) –
Fraud Reminder
As we mentioned in our post just prior to this one, the Grand Enchilada of Tax Forms enters the mail and electronic systems this week. These most popular forms are due by the end of January and fraudsters are taking notice.
Keep your eyes and ears out for anything suspicious!
Vault Saves Day Twice
Here in our real life experience post, we ended up needing the Vault to help save time and a HUGE hassle at a far distant Tennis Tournament. Who would have thought they would be so strict in identification at a Tennis Tournament?
Here is a neat reminder of what might do into your very own Personal Vault:
Legal Documents □ Wills □ Deeds □ Revocable & Irrevocable Trusts □Power of Attorney □ Codicils (Supplements made to a Will) □Living Wills/Health Directives □Prenuptial Agreements □ Buy/Sell Agreements □ Contracts Social Security and/or Veteran’s Administration Info Insurance Policies (Life, LTD, Disability, Medical, Car, Property) Medical Records Bank & Investment Statements □Pensions, IRAs,
Annuities etc. □Investment Accounts □Stock Options/Certificates Liabilities □List of Credit Cards with contact information □ Mortgages □Loans Taxes □Tax Returns □ W-2 Forms Identification □ Birth Certificates □ Drivers Licenses □Passports Family □ Adoption Papers □ Marriage License □Pictures □ Audio Files □ Video Clips Property □Titles to Homes, Autos, Boats, etc. □ Warranties Employment Benefits
Capital Market Comments
Interest Rates
10 Year Treasury touches 2.70% – Where to next?
After floundering in the low 2% range, it appears interest rates may be on the rise. This is just in time as the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) are set to raise short term rates several times this year and the one thing we DO NOT WANT is an inverted yield curve (more on this another time).
We have argued higher rates are helpful as long as they move gradually.
So far so good!
Have a Great Day!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
www.jkfinancialinc.com
www.street-cents.com
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Posted in Economy, FOMC, General Financial Planning, Interest Rates, Investing/Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review, Video
Tagged IRMAA, Rates, Unsubscribe, VIX