Tag Archives: investing

Three Return “Secrets” to Improved Investment Performance: Interpreting Investment Returns

Posted on August 28, 2016 by investsense

A 2007 study by Schwab Institutional estimated that approximately 75 percent of investor accounts they studied were unsuitable as being inconsistent with either an investor’s financial goals or financial needs.  While one might expect widespread denial of the study’s findings, … Continue reading →

Posted in Absolute Returns, Closet Index Funds, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Uncategorized, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is Your 401(k) or 403(b) Really Protecting Your Best Interests?

Posted on July 18, 2016 by investsense

Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. Aldous Huxley I have seen a number of articles recently online and in the trade publication I receive talking about “retirement readiness,”how to better prepare a plan’s participants for a … Continue reading →

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

Four Things Every Investor and Fiduciary Should Remember-2016

Posted on July 14, 2016 by investsense

The abundance of investment products and investment information available today can be intimidating and confusing to many investors, both novice and professional. Without question, the most common questions I get from people are how to properly manage their investment portfolios … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiduciary, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement Planning, Variable Annuities, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

James W. Watkins, III, quoted in new 401(k) article

Posted on July 6, 2016 by investsense

I was recently quoted in an article addressing best practices of leading 401(k) plans. The article raises a number of relevant issues regarding providing a meaningful plan to help plan participants accomplish their financial goals. The article, “Is your 401(k) … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Sense, ERISA, Fiduciary, Investment Advisors, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, pension plans, portfolio planning, Retirement, Retirement Distribution Planning, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Uncategorized, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Coming Storm: Fundamental Retirement Fairness for Educators

Posted on May 11, 2016 by investsense

In the world of pension investments, TIAA-CREF is generally acknowledged as the “600 pound gorilla,” at least with regard to universities and other higher education institutions. So I was somewhat surprised when a colleague sent me an article, written by … Continue reading →

Posted in ERISA, Fiduciary, 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

Outing “closet index” funds

Posted on March 15, 2016 by investsense

Canada is finally investigating the issue of recommendations and sales of “closet index” funds. The same problem exists in the U.S., but don’t hold your breath expecting U.S. regulators to address the problem. A closet index fund is also referred to … Continue reading →

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

Those “Great” Stable Value Funds Exposed

Posted on March 6, 2016 by investsense

So many 401(k) plans and plan participants have fallen in love with these products without truly understanding how they work, especially how they can benefit the companies offering them at the plan participant’s expense. This Morningstar article by Scott Simon … Continue reading →

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

This Investment Is Up 7.11% Year to Date (3-3-2016)

Posted on March 4, 2016 by investsense

Subscribers to this blog know that I subscribe to Charles Ellis’ philosophy that properly practiced, wealth management is not about the management of returns, but rather the informed management of investment risk. That’s not to say that investors should ignore … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Sense, Investment Advice, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Nuff Said

Posted on February 14, 2016 by investsense

While I enjoy writing and providing educational information to investors, sometimes you have to defer to others more eloquent than yourself. I openly admit to being a fan of Charles Ellis. As I have mentioned in this blog, I believe … Continue reading →

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

3 Things Every 401(k) Participant and Plan Sponsor Should Know – 2017

Posted on January 18, 2016 by investsense

As a wealth preservation attorney, one of the primary issues I address is the quality of a client’s investment portfolio. Far too often I see excellent estate planning strategies sabotaged by horribly unsuitable investment portfolios. Since many estate planning strategies … Continue reading →

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