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As the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, investors should review their bond portfolio, which could see a boost from dovish Fed policy. Typically, bond prices and market interest rates move in opposite directions. While it may be tempting to cling to cash, it will become “less attractive, less productive as interest rates fall,” Ward said. Many corporations leveraged rock-bottom interest rates during the pandemic to strengthen balance sheets and refinance debt, said Ward. As interest rates fall, those longer-maturity bonds should reward investors, experts say.

Persons: ”, Scott Ward, ” Ward, Ted Jenkin, Ward, “, Jenkin Organizations: Federal Reserve, dovish Fed, Fed, Morningstar, Bond, CNBC’s Locations: Birmingham , Alabama, Atlanta, “

☆ Warren Buffett's S&P 500 bet paid off. Experts weigh in on whether it's still a winning strategy
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

True to its name, the S&P 500 index includes 500 large U.S. companies. They are the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust , which trades under the ticker SPY; iShares Core S&P 500 ETF , with ticker IVV; and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF , which trades as VOO. Future index performance could be 'muted'The S&P 500 index has continued to make headlines for new all-time highs in 2024. Goldman Sachs just raised its S&P 500 index forecast for 2024 to 6,000 up from 5,600 to reflect expected earnings growth. S&P 500 'hard to beat in the long run'Investing in the S&P 500 index is a popular strategy.

Persons: Warren Buffett, Berkshire, Morningstar, VOO, Larry Adam, Raymond James, Adam, Goldman Sachs, Tom Lee, Bryan Armour, Armour, Sean Williams, Williams Organizations: Berkshire Hathaway, Cnbc, Nbcuniversal, Trust, Vanguard, U.S, ETF, Fundstrat Global Advisors, CNBC, Morningstar, Cadence Wealth Partners Locations: St . Petersburg , Florida, U.S, Concord , North Carolina

☆ Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2025: Here's how benefits may change
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, could be 2.5% next year, Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare analyst, predicted last month. The Social Security Administration is expected to announce the COLA for 2025 on Thursday. Social Security COLAs have averaged about 2.6% over the past 20 years, according to the Senior Citizens League. More from Personal Finance:House may force vote on bill affecting pensioners' Social Security benefitsWhy children miss out on Social Security survivor benefits72% of Americans worry Social Security will run out in their lifetimesCould the Social Security COLA estimate change? The official Social Security cost-of-living adjustment will factor in one more month of government inflation data when it is announced.

Persons: Mary Johnson, Joe Elsasser, Elsasser, Alicia Munnell, Johnson, Hurricane Helene Organizations: Social, Social Security, Social Security Administration, Senior Citizens League, Center for Retirement Research, Boston College, Finance, Urban, Clerical Workers

☆ October is the most popular time to use this tax-savings strategy to offset thousands of dollars in income: Morgan Stanley
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Morgan Stanley notes October as a key month for tax-loss harvesting. Tax-loss harvesting can also be used to offset income by up to $3,000 a year. There are a couple of ways to counter your tax bill through tax-loss harvesting. IRS rules allow you to reduce your taxable income by up to $3,000 in a year from capital losses. According to the Morgan Stanley note, stocks that are susceptible to downward price pressure due to tax-loss harvesting typically see the most downside in October.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, —, Chris Chen, Chen, that's Organizations: Service, Insight Financial, Walmart, Target

☆ Your tax bracket may increase after 2025. Here's how it could affect your brokerage account
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-08 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Without action from Congress, trillions of tax breaks enacted by former President Donald Trump will expire after 2025, including lower federal income tax brackets, among other provisions. Higher rates after 2025 could impact some brokerage accounts since investors pay annual taxes on earnings, experts say. If you sell investments that you have owned for one year or less, the profits incur "short-term capital gains," or regular income taxes. Generally speaking, it's good to avoid short-term gains as much as you can. Actively managed mutual funds often trigger capital gains payouts, even when investors haven't sold shares, which can be a costly year-end surprise.

Persons: Donald Trump, Samantha Pahlow, Ferguson Wellman, Shea Abernethy, haven't, Abernethy, Tommy Lucas, Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo Organizations: Ferguson, Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, Exchange, Investment Counselors Locations: Portland , Oregon, Winston, Salem , North Carolina, Orlando , Florida

☆ Many Americans would rather talk about politics than money. Not having those conversations can cost you
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Kamil Krzaczynski | AFP | Getty ImagesThere are few topics Americans would rather not talk about more than money. 'Missed opportunities' of not talking about moneyFor both couples and families, not having those crucial financial conversations can cost them, financial advisors say. Have talks 'before an emergency situation arises'On a positive note, some money conversations are happening more regularly, U.S. Bank's research found. Still, 45% of respondents say they are unaware of their parents' financial situation, U.S. Bank found. To work past financial standoffs, it helps for couples to create a more welcoming environment to engage their partners in money conversations, Cherry said.

Persons: Kamil Krzaczynski, Wells, Scott Ford, Preston Cherry, Cherry, it's, Ford, Winnie Sun, Douglas Boneparth, Boneparth, Ted Jenkin, It's, Jenkin, Couples, — Organizations: AFP, Getty, U.S . Bank, CNBC FA, Sun, Wealth Partners, CNBC FA Council, Bank, Finance Locations: Chicago , Illinois, Wells Fargo, Green Bay , Wisconsin, Irvine , California, New York City, U.S, Atlanta

If you're bracing for year-end mutual fund distributions, swapping assets for exchange-traded funds could sidestep the capital gains payout for 2024 and beyond. Some mutual funds distribute yearly capital gains to shareholders, typically in November and December. By comparison, most ETFs don't have an annual payout, which helps reduce ongoing taxes. Typically, investors incur capital gains when trading profitable mutual funds for ETFs in a brokerage account. Depending on their income, certain investors can "capital gain harvest" — strategically selling profitable assets while in a lower tax bracket — to swap mutual funds for ETFs, said Tommy Lucas, a certified financial planner and enrolled agent at Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo in Orlando, Florida.

Persons: Tommy Lucas, Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo Locations: Orlando , Florida

And bitcoin IRAs overall may not be the best way to get exposure to digital assets into your retirement portfolio, he adds. Read on for more on the pros and cons of bitcoin IRAs, and which investors they may make sense for. Self-directed bitcoin IRAs offer many of the same tax benefits as regular IRAs, like tax-deferred growth in traditional IRAs and tax-free withdrawals from Roth IRAs. Supports IRA rollovers, traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, and 401(k)sCheck mark icon A check mark. Supports IRA rollovers, traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, and 401(k)sCheck mark icon A check mark.

Persons: Bitcoin, Rollovers, Roth, bitcoin IRAs, Chris Chen, Read, Chen, Roth IRAs, they've, bitcoin, it's, Bitcoin IRAs Organizations: BitcoinIRA, Insight Financial, IRA, Better, Pew Research, SEC, CFTC Locations: cryptocurrency, U.S, bitcoin

☆ 37% of couples use cash wedding gifts for the down payment on a new home, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Aditi Shrikant | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

More couples than ever before, 87%, reported including cash funds in their wedding registry, according to recent data from Zola. Of couples collecting cash, 37% are putting that money toward purchasing a house. With today's housing market, it's clear why couples are funneling wedding gifts into a down payment. If you're coming into a substantial financial windfall due to a wedding, or any other scenario, here's the best place to stash your potential down payment cash. "If a client of mine walked in with $30,000 of wedding money, I would say, 'Let's buy you a bond,'" he says.

Persons: Homebuying, Douglas Boneparth, Mark La Spisa, let's Organizations: Bone, U.S Locations: Zola, New York City, Vermilion

☆ Brokerages slash yields on cash, but some still offer upward of 4%
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-27 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Brokerages have also jumped in on the action, with several companies dropping the rates they pay on sums held in cash sweep accounts. Charles Schwab recently trimmed its cash sweep rate to 20 basis points, where it was previously 45 basis points, according to an analysis by Bank of America. Wells Fargo also dropped rates by 3 basis points to 30 basis points, based on the level of clients' household assets. A few outliers still pay solid rates on idle cash Brokerages take different approaches toward cash sweeps, with some firms opting to keep rates low even when the Fed was hiking rates. Even as yields are expected to continue falling, a couple of brokerages continue to offer competitive rates, Bank of America found.

Persons: Marcus, Goldman Sachs, Wells, Michael Kaye, Charles Schwab, Wells Fargo, Robinhood, Ryan Salah, We've Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Discover Financial, Bank of America, Wells, Advisors, Interactive, Robinhood, Capital Financial Partners Locations: Wells Fargo, Towson , Maryland

☆ With more interest rate cuts, market volatility on the horizon, here's what investors can do to prepare
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"We know there needs to be a continuation of rate cuts," Oden said. "The new debate is the question, is the next one going to be another 50 [basis points], or will it be 25 [basis points]?" Expect market volatility aheadYet the U.S. faces another looming uncertainty with the upcoming November election. Market volatility, which tends to increase in September, will likely continue in October, according to Oden. "Pre- and post-election, we will still see some volatility," Oden said.

Persons: Thomas Barwick, Racquel Oden, Oden, we're, Carolyn McClanahan, McClanahan Organizations: Digitalvision, Federal Reserve, HSBC, CNBC's, Investors, Planning Partners, CNBC FA Locations: U.S, Jacksonville, Fla

☆ How to know if a financial robo-advisor is right for you
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-22 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

So if you’re looking for help along the way, there are plenty of increasingly low-cost digital and human adviser options. Now they offer a much wider array of services and financial planning tools. Many also offer hybrid solutions: automated portfolio management plus access to human advisers who can help with your more holistic financial planning needs. To figure out if a robo-advisor might be a good fit for you, here are some things to consider:Preference: Digital first or human first? “Perspective, judgment and coaching — talking through something and addressing fears and concerns, such as managing (a client’s) reaction to short-term (market) volatility,” said Paul Brahim, president-elect of the Financial Planning Association and managing director of the Wealth Enhancement Group.

Persons: It’s, ”, Paul Brahim, ” Brahim, Brian Concannon, —, ” Concannon, you’re, “, Ben Johnson, Morningstar’s, it’s, Johnson, Schwab Organizations: CNN, Financial, Association, Vanguard, Vanguard Digital, Fidelity

☆ 64% of U.S. retirement savers make this 'dangerous' assumption—'avoid it at all costs,' says CFP
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The idea behind saving for retirement is to provide yourself with income between when you stop working and when you die. For those born after 1960, full retirement age — when you receive a full Social Security benefit — is age 67. So maybe it's not surprising that most U.S. retirement savers aren't planning on a lengthy retirement. "Building a plan around spending your assets down to zero, for us, we simply avoid it at all costs." In fact, the median retirement age for U.S. workers is 62, according to research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

Persons: CNBC's, SurveyMonkey, Yusuf Abugideiri, Yeske Buie, Abugideiri, you'll Organizations: National Center for Health Statistics, Social Security, Research Locations: Vienna , Virginia, America

☆ 401(k) savers can access one of the 'rare guarantees' in investing, CFP says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Yet, according to financial advisors, there is an outlier in the realm of investing: the 401(k) match. The basic concept of a 401(k) match is that an employer will make a matching contribution on workers' retirement savings, up to a cap. In this example — a dollar-for-dollar match up to 3% — the investor would be doubling their money, the equivalent of a 100% profit. "If you were in Vegas and every time you put $1 in [the slot machine] you got $2 out, you'd probably be sitting at that slot machine for a mighty long time," said Elliott, a member of CNBC's Advisor Council. However, that money can come with certain requirements like a minimum worker tenure, more formally known as a "vesting" schedule.

Persons: Kamila Elliott, you'd, Elliott Organizations: Collective Wealth Partners Locations: Atlanta, Vegas

☆ Planning to delay retirement may not rescue you from poor savings
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Alistair Berg | Digitalvision | Getty ImagesPlanning to work longer is a popular escape hatch for Americans who feel they've saved too little to support themselves in old age. About 27% of workers intend to work in retirement because they need to supplement their income, according to a new CNBC and SurveyMonkey survey. While working longer is among the best ways to shore up one's nest egg, the plan may backfire, according to retirement experts. If workers lose those wages, they'd have to figure out another way to make their retirement savings last. There are benefits to working longerWorking longer — for those who can do it — is a financial boon, according to retirement experts.

Persons: Alistair Berg, Digitalvision, they've, Philip Chao, Chao, EBRI Organizations: Getty, CNBC, Workers, Urban Locations: John , Maryland

☆ This is the 'billion-dollar blind spot' of 401(k)-to-IRA rollovers, Vanguard finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Rollovers from a workplace retirement plan to an IRA are common after reaching certain milestones like changing jobs or retiring. watch nowAbout two-thirds of rollover investors hold cash unintentionally: 68% don't realize how their assets are invested, compared to 35% who prefer a cash-like investment, according to Vanguard. The asset manager surveyed 556 investors who completed a rollover to a Vanguard IRA in 2023 and left those assets in a money market fund through June 2024. "IRA cash is a billion-dollar blind spot," Andy Reed, head of investor behavior research at Vanguard, said in the analysis. 'It always turns into cash'The retirement system itself likely contributes to this blind spot, retirement experts said.

Persons: Sergio Mendoza Hochmann, Andy Reed, Stocks, Philip Chao, Grace Cary, they're, Chao Organizations: Vanguard, Vanguard IRA, Finance, Security Locations: John , Maryland

☆ Young, rich investors are making 2 key mistakes, says CFP and financial psychologist: They'll 'learn the hard way'
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

If you're looking to build wealth, traditional forms of investment aren't going to get you there — at least according to young, rich people. For younger wealthy investors, though, stocks come in behind seven other types of investments, including real estate, cryptocurrency, private equity and direct investment into companies. Klontz says that younger wealthy investors may be falling victim to some of the same cognitive biases that regular investors do — and it may be holding them back from maximizing their returns. Young people have ignored traditional advice 'for thousands of years'In general, it's not surprising that younger investors, regardless of wealth level, want to chart a different path than older generations. DON'T MISS: How to master your money and grow your wealth Older investors tend to favor the returns offered by stocks, because that is what has historically delivered returns.

Persons: Brad Klontz, Klontz, it's, Everything's, They're Organizations: of America Private Bank, Wealthy, Creighton University

A national debt crisisAmericans are facing a credit card debt crisis, with millennials and Gen Z at the forefront of the struggle. If you're a consumer with average credit who tends to carry a credit card balance, McCarthy recommends seeking options for lower-interest repayment. If the Fed lowers interest rates as anticipated, you can expect personal loan interest rates to drop slightly, regardless of your credit score. "Many consumers struggling with high-interest debt have expressed confusion surrounding credit card APRs, and credit card companies are happy to keep it that way." "Many consumers believe that making the minimum payment is an effective way to manage their credit card debt," Elliot said.

Persons: —, Z, James McCarthy, McCarthy, Jeremy Schneider, Schneider, Sophia Bera Daigle, Daigle, you've, Mark Elliot, Elliot Organizations: Federal, Service, Federal Reserve, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, National Foundation, Credit, JPMorgan Chase, Capital Locations: millennials, U.S

The third-quarter estimated tax deadline for 2024 is Sept. 16, and skipping a payment could trigger a penalty, according to the IRS. Some filers also need estimated payments if they haven’t withheld enough taxes from a full-time or part-time job. Estimated payments can help avoid “refund disappointment or balance due shock,” said Mark Steber, chief tax information officer of Jackson Hewitt. For 2024, the quarterly estimated tax deadlines are April 15, June 17, Sept. 16 and Jan. 15, 2025. You can use your online account, IRS Direct Pay or the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, or EFTPS.

Persons: ”, Mark Steber, Jackson Hewitt, there’s, Tricia Rosen, Virgin Organizations: Taxpayers, IRS, U.S . Department Locations: Newburyport , Massachusetts, Puerto Rico

While FICO has deprioritized medical debt in credit score calculations, VantageScore removed medical debt from its calculations. The CFPB announced rulemaking to address the reporting of medical bills on credit reports that would require the credit bureaus to stop reporting medical bills entirely. How medical bills can affect your creditIn the past, credit bureaus would report medical debt the same as any other overdue bills, and could cause your credit score to drop. Protecting your credit from medical billsWhile unpaid medical debt doesn't have the same impact on your credit score as an unpaid credit card bill, it can impact your credit nonetheless. Consider medical credit cards or loansInstead of a traditional credit card, consider a medical credit card or loan.

Persons: FICO, rulemaking, doesn't, —, Experian, VantageScore, Biden, Tiffany Cross, Rick Eicheldinger, You'll, Cross Organizations: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, CFPB Locations: United States, U.S

The collection's existence on your credit report can severely lower your credit score and impact future loans. Here's what you need to know about the impact of collections and how to get them removed from your credit report. As it ages on your credit report, its effect on your credit score will decrease until it falls off entirely. How can you remove collections from a credit report? There are a few different — and completely legal — ways you can try to remove it from your credit report to fix your credit score.

Persons: it's, there's, you've, Markia Brown, John Owens, Brown, Owens, Rick Eicheldinger, Zarrad, Eicheldinger, Jennifer, Read Organizations: Monterey Financial Services, Business, Yahoo, Finance, CBS, MSNBC, CNBC, Forbes, Black Enterprise, USA, The Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business, Business Journalists Locations: America, TheGrio, New York City

☆ Tim Walz took a $135,000 early withdrawal from a retirement account—that's generally a 'lose-lose situation,' says CFP
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Even more interestingly, Walz told the Journal that he made a roughly $135,000 early withdrawal from a workplace retirement account last year to fund his daughter's college education. Walz is in an unusual situationFor Walz, $135,000 represents a relatively small chunk of what he can expect to earn in retirement. The Wall Street Journal estimates the Walzes' retirement savings at more than $1 million, meaning that the early withdrawal likely represented somewhere in the neighborhood of 10% of the retirement fund. Of Walz and his wife's roughly $300,000 in 2023 income, about $135,000 came from pensions or annuities. But it's especially dangerous for the majority of Americans who will have to rely heavily on their investments to fund their retirement.

Persons: Tim Walz, Walz, Gwen, J.D, Vance, It's, Gerika Espinosa, —, Jamie Bosse, Bosse Organizations: Wall Street, Republican, Street, CGN Advisors, Social Security Locations: Minnesota, Salt Lake City , Utah, Manhattan Kansas

☆ Money market funds hit another record high — but experts warn it's time to move out of cash. Where they see opportunity
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Assets in money market funds hit $6.3 trillion the week that ended Wednesday, another record high, according to the Investment Company Institute . The annualized 7-day yield on the Crane 100 list of the 100 largest taxable money funds is currently 5.08%. History shows that when investors do move out of money market funds, they move into fixed income over equities, he said. Institutional investors will also continue to move into money market funds as the Fed cuts rates because any cash they have in direct money market investments, such as Treasury bills, will be hit by rate cuts quicker than money market funds, explained Peter Crane, founder of Crane Data, a firm that tracks the industry. Once you have the appropriate cash needs set aside, consider moving any excess funds into fixed income, Jenkin said.

Persons: Mark Cabana, Peter Crane, Crane, Ted Jenkin, Jenkin, Leslie Falconio, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, Falconio Organizations: Investment Company Institute, Bank of America, Federal Reserve, Institutional, Crane, CNBC, American Express, Bread Financial, UBS, U.S . Locations: UBS Americas

☆ How high earners can funnel money to a Roth IRA, the 'gold standard' of retirement accounts
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-05 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Roth contributions don't get the same upfront tax break: Investors fund Roth IRAs with after-tax money, but generally don't pay income taxes on earnings or withdrawals in retirement. The 'only reason' to save in a nondeductible IRALordhenrivoton | E+ | Getty ImagesHigh earners can contribute to a so-called nondeductible IRA, however. The ability to use the backdoor Roth IRA is a major benefit of these accounts, tax experts said. watch now"The only reason you'd do [a nondeductible IRA] is if the intention was to do a backdoor Roth," Slott said. "All high wage earners should consider looking at both a backdoor Roth IRA and a mega backdoor Roth IRA if they can't set up a Roth IRA," said Ted Jenkin, a certified financial planner and founder of oXYGen Financial, based in Atlanta.

Persons: Thomas Barwick, Roth, Slott, Ted Jenkin, He's Organizations: Investors, Roth IRA, IRA, CNBC, Taxpayers, IRS, Arnold, Mote Wealth Management, Medicare, nondeductible Locations: deductibility, Atlanta, Hiawatha , Iowa

☆ How investors can prepare for lower interest rates: It's 'like getting a haircut,' advisor says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Lower interest rates are "generally positive for stocks," said Marguerita Cheng, a CFP and chief executive of Blue Ocean Global Wealth, based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Considerations for cash, bonds and stocksFalling interest rates generally means investors can expect lower returns on their "safer" money, advisors said. High interest rates have meant investors enjoyed fairly lofty returns on these lower-risk holdings. Winnie Sun co-founder and managing director of Sun Group Wealth PartnersHowever, such returns are expected to fall alongside declining interest rates, advisors said. "They'll be crying in six months when interest rates are a lot lower," she said.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Andrew Harnik, Winnie Sun, Lee Baker, Powell, Stephen Brown, Marguerita Cheng, Sun, Powell didn't, Ted Jenkin, Carolyn McClanahan Organizations: Getty, Sun Group Wealth Partners, Financial Advisors, Finance, North, Capital Economics, Blue, Sun Group Wealth, Planning Partners Locations: Irvine , California, Atlanta, Jackson Hole , Wyoming, U.S, North America, Gaithersburg , Maryland, Jacksonville , Florida

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