For the Week of March 29, 2021

The Markets

Stocks rose Friday after February data showed lower price pressures, which eased inflation concerns. Each major index rose more than 1 percent. For the week, the Dow rose 1.36 percent to close at 33,072.88. The S&P gained 1.58 percent to finish at 3,974.54, and the NASDAQ dropped 0.57 percent to end the week at 13,138.72.

And in the Next Year — 2020 was the 10th year in the last 70 years in which the U.S. economy contracted. Our nation’s gross domestic product shrunk by 3.5 percent last year. Following the nine previous down years, the U.S. economy has rebounded in the next year with positive growth seven out of nine times, growing by an average of 3.3 percent per year for all nine bounce back years (source: Commerce Department, BTN Research).

Money They Will Spend — 42 percent of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, $800 billion out of the $1.9 trillion, is direct support that will be distributed to households in the form of stimulus payments, unemployment benefits and child tax credits (source: American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, BTN Research).

Year-Over-Year Improvement — The aggregate earnings per share of the companies in the S&P 500 in the first quarter of 2021 are forecasted to be 21.5 percent greater than the actual aggregate earnings per share of the S&P 500 companies from the first quarter 2020 (source: FactSet, BTN Research).

WEEKY FOCUS – Avoid These Medicare Mistakes

If you’re a newcomer to the complex Medicare system, or will be soon, it’s wise to research potential options and pitfalls to prevent future regrets. As a starting point, here are a few mistakes to avoid:

Missing Part B deadlines. If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits at 65, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (doctors’ services, outpatient care, and medical equipment). Otherwise, you must apply. Fail to sign up for Part B during the seven months surrounding your birthday, and you risk incurring a late penalty surcharge on all your future premiums. You can delay enrolling only if you have health coverage from your or your spouse’s employer, and the company employs 20 or more workers. But if you do, make sure you enroll in Part B within eight months of leaving the company.

Not enrolling in Medigap promptly. It’s also wise to purchase a Medigap supplemental policy within six months of enrolling in Part B. Medigap standardized, private insurance plans cover some or most out-of-pocket expenses. Enrolling within that window restricts Medigap insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums due to current health or pre-existing medical conditions. Choose your plan carefully because those protections may not be extended if you try to switch later.

Not understanding Medicare Advantage plans. If you’re considering a Medicare Advantage plan in lieu of Medicare Parts A, B, and D, look beyond lower premiums and compare deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket costs. Bear in mind these plans may have more restrictions. And be sure to compare star ratings provided at Medicare.gov.

Not signing up for Part D. Even if you aren’t on any medications, developing one health problem could cause you to regret not getting a drug plan during an enrollment period. And you could incur a permanent late enrollment penalty if you don’t have Medicare or other creditable prescription drug coverage for 63 days in a row at any time after your initial enrollment period is over.

Not comparing Part D plans annually. Part D plans vary in the drugs they cover and the copays they charge. Use the Plan Finder program on Medicare’s website to compare plans. And once you’ve signed up, don’t put your Part D on autopilot. Check for premium increases and changes in coverage every year.

If you need help determining how health care costs may impact your retirement, please call our office.

* The Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted index of 30 actively traded blue-chip stocks. NASDAQ Composite Index is an unmanaged, market-weighted index of all over-the-counter common stocks traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System. The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australia and Far East Index (MSCI EAFE Index) is a widely recognized benchmark of non-U.S. stock markets. It is an unmanaged index composed of a sample of companies representative of the market structure of 20 European and Pacific Basin countries and includes reinvestment of all dividends. Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index comprised of U.S. investment-grade, fixed-rate bond market securities, including government, government agency, corporate and mortgage-backed securities between one and 10 years. Written by Securities America. SAI#1581151.1 

For the Week of March 22, 2021

The Markets

The Dow Jones and the S&P 500 fell Friday after the Federal Reserve decided not to extend a pandemic rule, which relaxed banks’ supplementary leverage ratio, allowing them to hold less capital against Treasurys and other holdings. For the week, the Dow fell 0.45 percent to close at 32,627.97. The S&P lost 0.74 percent to finish at 3,913.10, and the NASDAQ dropped 0.77 percent to end the week at 13,215.24.

Blame the Pandemic — Total exports of goods and services by American corporations in calendar year 2020 were $2.13 trillion, down 16 percent from the year before and the smallest total recorded nationwide since 2010 (source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, BTN Research).

Adding to Cash — Money market funds in the United States, including retail and institutional funds, both taxable and tax-free, have increased $615 billion (to $4.39 trillion) over the last 12 months through Friday, March 12, an average increase of $12 billion a week (source: Investment Company Institute, BTN Research).

Since Then — President Trump declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency on Friday, March 13, 2020. Over the one year since that announcement, the S&P 500 had gained 48 percent (total return), in spite of a horrible 12 percent loss (total return) on Monday, March 16, 2020 (source: BTN Research).

WEEKLY FOCUS – Don’t Let Unexpected Expenses Derail Your Retirement

While it’s natural to look ahead to a leisurely retirement, it’s prudent to prepare for expenses that catch many retirees by surprise. In a recent survey, nearly one-third of retirees reported they faced at least four unforeseen expenses during retirement. Some of the most common include:

Inflation: Inflation rates have been low since the 2008-2009 recession. But even subtle increases can add up over time. For example, $100 in June 2009 had the same buying power as $119.52 in June 2020.¹  Unless that $100 was invested and grew, it effectively lost 20 percent of its value in just 11 years. And there is no guarantee inflation will remain low. It’s important to retain some investments that will grow your money to keep your retirement funds from losing their purchasing power over time.

Home Expenses: If the value of your home dramatically increases, so will your property taxes. On the flip side, if the value of your house declines dramatically, you may not be able to sell it without a loss. And there are repairs and maintenance to consider. Some financial professionals suggest setting aside 10 percent of your monthly payment, property taxes, and homeowner’s insurance for repairs and maintenance. Paying off your mortgage or downsizing can reduce monthly expenses and allow you to hold on to your home until reduced prices rebound.

Social Security and Other Taxes: If you’re like most recipients, you’ll pay income tax on your Social Security benefits. Individuals with total gross income (including benefits) of $25,000 may pay taxes on up to 50 percent of their Social Security benefits. Up to 85 percent of benefits are taxable for individuals with a combined gross income more than $34,000.

And all that pretax money you put into your 401(k) or traditional IRA is taxed at your top ordinary-income tax rate when you withdraw those funds. To mitigate the impact of taxes, consider withdrawing from those accounts earlier or putting money into a Roth IRA, which has no required minimum withdrawals and can be tapped without paying taxes.

Retirement is something most of us look forward to. Ensure your plans aren’t derailed by these unexpected expenses and others. Make sure you’re on the right track. Contact our office for a review of your financial situation and an evaluation of your goals.

Securities America and its representatives do not provide tax advice; therefore it is important to coordinate with your tax advisor regarding your specific situation.

[1] https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

For the Week of March 15, 2021

The Markets

Stocks ended mixed on Friday. Tech stocks slid as Treasury yields rose. The Dow Jones and the S&P achieved record closing highs after President Biden signed the stimulus bill into law. For the week, the Dow rose 4.17 percent to close at 32,778.64. The S&P gained 2.69 percent to finish at 3,943.34, and the NASDAQ climbed 3.12 percent to end at 13,319.86.

Quick, Before Rates Rise — 13 percent of outstanding home mortgages nationwide as of Dec. 31, 2020, i.e., 7.2 million mortgages out of 53.9 million mortgages, were refinanced during 2020 (source: Federal Reserve Bank of NY, BTN Research).

It’s the Renters Who Are Hurting — Just one in 39 homeowners (2.5 percent) was at least three months behind in paying their monthly mortgage as of Dec. 31, 2020. However, one in five renters (20.5 percent) was at least three months behind in paying their monthly rent as of Dec. 31, 2020 (source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, BTN Research).

What a Comeback — Many American employers have recovered, and as of Feb. 28, they have hired back 67 percent of the 25.4 million jobs that were lost last year during March and April 2020 (source: DOL, BTN Research).

WEEKLY FOCUS – Protect Yourself on Social Media

Like so many areas, social media cyber-attacks are on the rise, both on individual accounts and wider platform hacks. While you can’t prevent a large, headline-making hack, you can take practical steps like these to protect your own information:

• Always use complex passwords on your social media accounts and update them frequently.
• When filling out a social media profile, leave personal details – such as your home address, phone number, birthday, and email – blank. And don’t mention your mother’s last name or other personal details in posts, which cybercriminals could use to answer security challenge questions.
• Don’t accept friend requests from anyone you don’t know in the real world. Don’t accept a second friend request if you’re already connected.
• Secure your mobile devices with passcode, fingerprint, or facial protection/recognition. Upgrade as soon as possible when a social media app prompts you to do so.
• Avoid using your social media accounts on public wireless connections, which make it easier for others to see your sensitive data. And if you access social media on a public computer (ideally, don’t), be sure to log out and clear your browsing history when you’re done.
• Avoid signing into other apps using Facebook.
• Consider setting up a “burner email” for social media activity, which isn’t tied to your name or other email accounts. 
• Turn location tracking off on your social media channels. Turn off the GPS function on your smartphone camera if you plan to post images. Don’t post vacation photos until you return home.
• Be cautious about clicking on links – even from friends – and completing quizzes and surveys.
• Check your security settings on your social media accounts regularly. They may revert to a less private default when updates occur.
• Make sure you have a quality security software installed on your devices.

Just as you strive to protect your personal information on social media accounts, we’re committed to keeping your financial account information secure. And as always, we’re available to discuss any concerns you may have about your finances.

For the Week of March 8, 2021

The Markets

Stocks ended higher Friday, reversing earlier losses. A report showing faster-than-expected job growth in February encouraged investors. Despite the rebound, the NASDAQ was negative for a third week in a row. For the week, the Dow rose 1.85 percent to close at 31,496.30. The S&P gained 0.84 percent to finish at 3,841.94, and the NASDAQ fell 2.05 percent to end at 12,920.15.

Smaller Homes — The average size of a single-family home built in the United States in 2019 was 2,509 square feet, the fourth consecutive year that the national average size has declined (source: Census Bureau, BTN Research).

Record Low Set a Year Ago — The yield on the 10-year Treasury note closed at 1.46 percent on Friday, Feb. 26. The all-time record-low close for the 10-year note was .50 percent set on March 9, 2020. 10-year notes have been traded in the U.S. since 1790 (source: Treasury Department, BTN Research).

All My Work — The average American worker has increased their productivity by 50 percent in the last 21 years. As of Dec. 31, 2020, an average worker can complete in two hours, the same amount of work that it took them three hours to finish as of Dec. 31, 1999 (source: Department of Labor, BTN Research).

WEEKLY FOCUS – Don’t Shred Those Tax Documents Yet

Once you complete this year’s taxes, you may wonder what to do with that pile of records, 1099s, receipts, and bank statements. The IRS recommends holding on to any documents related to the income you’re reporting or any deduction or credit you’re claiming, including:

• Proof of income, including W-2s and 1099s, bank and brokerage statements, K-1 forms, and spousal-support payment records
• Bills and invoices, credit card statements, mileage logs, and cancelled checks
• Financial records related to real property, including paperwork from the purchase or sale of a home and all documents associated with the costs of buying, selling, or managing rental properties
• Investment records related to stock transactions, IRAs, and other retirement accounts

If you’re not sure whether to keep a document or not, err on the side of caution and store it in your files. How long you should hang on to all those documents varies, depending on the action, expense, or event that the document records. The IRS has the right to review all tax returns filed during the Period of Limitations, the time in which you can amend your tax return to claim a credit or refund or the IRS can assess additional tax. That period is typically three years from the date you filed for any given year.

Some documents should be kept even longer. For example, the IRS recommends keeping employment tax records for at least four years after related taxes become due or are paid, whichever is later. Tax records related to property should be kept until the period of limitations expires for the year you dispose of the property. If you believe you may have under-reported your annual income by 25 percent or more, you should keep your return and related documentation for six or seven years.

It’s best to create digital copies of all your documents. That way, if the printed version is lost or destroyed, you’ll have a backup.

We are happy to work with you and your tax professional to help keep your financial records up-to-date and create a personal financial plan tailored to your habits and lifestyle. Call us today. 

Securities America and its representatives do not provide tax advice; coordinate with your tax advisor regarding your specific situation.

For the Week of March 1, 2021

The Markets

Stocks closed mixed Friday as government bond yields rose, spurring concerns of rising inflation. The NASDAQ pared earlier losses but still suffered its worst weekly loss since October. For the week, the Dow fell 1.70 percent to close at 30,932.37. The S&P lost 2.41 percent to finish at 3,811.15, and the NASDAQ dropped 4.90 percent to end the week at 13,192.35.

How We Live — Of the 7.2 million new U.S. households created in the last four years, 100 percent were owner households while none were renter households, i.e., owner households grew from 75.6 million (Dec. 31, 2016) to 82.8 million (Dec. 31, 2020), while renter households remained flat at 43 million (source: Census Bureau, BTN Research).

Supply and Demand — The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil had fallen to $22.76 a barrel as of April 9, 2020, as the global impact of COVID-19 was crushing the worldwide demand for oil. On Friday, Feb. 12, WTI crude oil closed at $59.47 a barrel, its highest closing price since Jan. 9, 2020 (source: NYMEX, BTN Research).

Stock Market — The median annual return of the stock market over the last 45 years (1976-2020) was a gain of 15.8 percent (total return). The stock market has produced a positive total return gain in 37 of the last 45 years, i.e., 82 percent of the time. The S&P 500, consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, was used as the stock measurement. It is a market value weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value (source: BTN Research).

WEEKLY FOCUS – The Art of Complaining

Even when you do your research, you can wind up with a purchase that doesn’t live up to a company’s claims. Since this is National Consumer Protection Week, today’s article tells you what to do to avoid losing money when marketing claims prove inaccurate.

Gather pertinent information. Find the company’s return and exchange policies. For instance, time limits for retail returns can vary from seven to 90 days. Locate your receipt, contract/warranty, order number, model number, and previous communication. If you don’t have a receipt but paid with a credit card, find the purchase date on your statement. For in-person returns, bring the card you used and your ID.

Choose your form of contact. A face-to-face or phone conversation may make it easier to connect on a personal level and appeal to a service person’s compassion. Address them by name, describe your problem, and ask, “Can you help me?” When you’re seeking a simple fix or want to create a communication trail, use email. Including words like “complaint” or “refund” may bump your email to a priority list since some systems look for such keywords.

Stay calm. Don’t expect a resolutionin 60 seconds. Be patient, respectful, specific, and concise. Know what you want: a replacement, refund, or repair. But wait to see what they offer before stating your goal. You can always counter, and their suggestion may be better than you expect. Document each interaction with the date, person you communicated with, and what you were told. Keep copies of correspondence or screenshots of online chats.

Escalate if needed. When you can’t settle your issue through customer service, ask to speak to a manager or write a short letter to an executive. Or check the company’s Facebook page to see if they respond to customer service matters there. If nothing else works, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Make sure your statements are accurate and complete; once you submit your complaint, it can’t be edited. It’s important to remember you are legally responsible for what you say. If you want to go farther, you can complain to your state attorney general’s office or take the business to small claims court.

Ensuring you get what you pay for – so you don’t have to spend additional money to replace an item – is just one way to preserve assets. Contact our office if you’d like help identifying others.