Making the Most of Your Social Security Benefits

Social Security is one of the most reliable components of a retirement income plan. It’s guaranteed for life, adjusts with inflation, and provides a steady income stream no matter what’s happening in the markets. As a result, Social Security benefits help manage longevity risk, inflation risk, and market risk. But while the benefit itself is…

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2025 – Q1 Quarterly Market Review

This report features world capital market performance and a timeline of events for the past quarter. It begins with a global overview, then features the returns of stock and bond asset classes in the US and international markets. The report also illustrates the impact of globally diversified portfolios and features a quarterly topic. Q1 2025…

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Are Commodities an Effective Inflation Hedge?

People seem to think commodities (especially gold) are suitable guards against inflation. They are often touted as an effective tool for protecting wealth from rising prices. However, history has shown that using gold and other commodities to offset inflation poses significant challenges. Commodities differ from a lot of other strategies you hear about in one…

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Why Embracing Uncertainty Might Be the Smartest Retirement Move You Can Make

Uncertainty tends to make people uncomfortable—and that’s understandable. When you’re approaching retirement or already living it, unpredictability isn’t exactly welcome. You want to know your income will last, that your plan will work, and that you’re making smart decisions with what you’ve saved. But here’s something that might feel counterintuitive: a little uncertainty is not…

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Understanding the Investor Behavior Gap: Why Emotions Can Derail Your Returns

If you’re nearing retirement, every market dip can feel personal. You’ve worked hard to build your nest egg, and watching it shrink—temporarily or not—can trigger a cascade of emotion-driven decisions. It’s easy to blame the economy or world events for declining portfolio values. But often, the bigger threat to long-term returns isn’t what’s happening outside—it’s…

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Staying the Course Through Market Volatility

Periods of market volatility can be unsettling, especially for those nearing or already in retirement. After decades of saving and careful planning, watching your portfolio fluctuate can feel like the ground shifting beneath your feet. But market ups and downs are a normal part of investing, and staying invested through those swings is one of…

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