Category Archives: Portfolio Construction

Does Your Financial Advisor Owe You Money?

Happy New Year! As I mentioned in my last post, I write for four blogs, including two in connection with my association with the Paladin Registry, a pro-investor organization that provides advice to help investors protect themselves against investment scams … Continue reading

Posted in Asset Protection, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Planning, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Does Your 401k Owe You Money?

In addition to this blog, I also write for the Paladin Registry. I just posted a new article on excessive fees within 401k plans. The article is available at  http://iwd.paladinregistry.com/products/401k-plan-owe-money/

Posted in Asset Protection, ERISA, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, IRA, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faux Wealth Management: The Need for Integrated Estate Planning

A fellow estate planning colleague of mine called the other day and asked me to review a client’s investment portfolio for legal issues. I had previously reviewed my colleague’s portfolio and had pointed out some issues that were not consistent … Continue reading

Posted in Estate Planning, Integrated Estate Planning, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investor Protection, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Retirement, Retirement Planning, Wealth Management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwing 404(c) Participants (And Sponsors) Under the Bus: ERISA Section 404(c) False Promise of “Sufficient Information”

The Supreme Court’s decision in LaRue v. DeWolff, Boberg & Associates(1) in 2008 started a trend recognizing the need for greater protection of participants in defined contribution pension plans. The LaRue decision signaled the long overdue recognition by the judicial … Continue reading

Posted in ERISA, Investment Advice, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Put Up or Shut Up!

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to delay action on a proposed universal fiduciary standard that would require anyone providing investment advice to always put a customer’s best interests first. While investment advisers are currently required to put a … Continue reading

Posted in Fiduciary, Investment Advice, Investment Fraud, Investor Protection, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, Retirement Planning, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Avoiding Costly “Closet” Index Funds

I am a member of the Paladin Registry, a select group of attorneys and investment advisers dedicated to educate investors so that they can better protect themselves against investment fraud and other questionable activity by the investment industry. You can … Continue reading

Posted in Asset Protection, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Uncategorized, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1 + 1 = 34: The True Impact of Mutual Fund Fees

One of the most common mistakes I see investors make is failing to understand the true cost of investment fees. Many investors dismiss an annual management fee of 1 percent as “just” 1 percent. Just as investment returns compound over … Continue reading

Posted in ERISA, Fiduciary, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Retirement, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pimento Cheese Sandwiches and Investor Protection

Yesterday I was in North Georgia in connection with a possible case. I took the opportunity to have lunch with a high school classmate who now lives in the area. Both the company and the food were excellent, but both … Continue reading

Posted in Asset Protection, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, IRA, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Distribution Planning, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Variable Annuities, Variable Annuity Abuse, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Financial Planning vs. Financial Plans

Many financial planners charge $5,000 or more to develop a retirement plan, or a five-year plan, for you and your family. You will receive a nice, thick brochure with numbers in it. Separate each page carefully. You now have a … Continue reading

Posted in Asset Protection, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Distribution Planning, Retirement Planning, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Active Management Value Ratio 2.0 Worksheet

I have had a lot of people ask me if could provide a simple worksheet that would allow them to quickly calculate the AMVR. Ask and ye shall receive. I have also provided an example of a completed worksheet. All … Continue reading

Posted in Asset Protection, Investment Advice, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Retirement, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment