A terrible way to protect against inflation: Retirement Scan

Our daily roundup of retirement news your clients may be thinking about.

A terrible way to protect retirees from inflation
Many investors seem to feel that commodities (especially gold) are a good way to guard against inflation. But a contributor to Forbes says there are much better strategies. Commodities are "just things," he says. They don’t produce value in and of themselves. He compares them to a ceramic cat sitting on the shelf: valuable, but not creating new economic activity. Companies, on the other hand, are going concerns and able to create economic value, he notes. As for hedging against inflation, retired investors should consider investing in TIPs. Another strategy is to invest in securities that have bigger return than inflation. 'Both options can work depending on your situation. ... As always, the important thing is that you stay disciplined, and stick with your financial plan," write the expert contributor.

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If clients think the election will affect their portfolios, educate them
Retirement savers should not be concerned about the impact of the upcoming elections on the stock market, according to this article on MarketWatch. Regardless of the outcome of the past elections, long-term market returns have been favorable for investors. Clients who want to enhance their investment returns should focus on their long-term retirement goals instead of making hasty portfolio decisions.

401(k) or IRA rollover: Which is best when changing jobs?
When changing jobs, workers should have a comprehensive financial plan so they can decide if they should keep their 401(k) assets with their former employer or roll the funds over to an IRA, according to this article on Kiplinger. An IRA rollover is a better option because of lower fees and more flexible withdrawal options. Unlike 401(k)s, an IRA allows the financial adviser to execute trades on the client's behalf, enabling the expert to make changes when necessary. An IRA also offers broader investment choices compared with a 401(k).

Clients turning 65? Beware of Medicare traps for the unwary
People are required to sign up for Medicare at age 65, and may opt for a traditional Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, according to this article on CBS Moneywatch. Many seniors choose a Medicare Advantage plan, as they want a lower monthly premium for the Medigap policy, without realizing that they can obtain medical services only from the providers in the plan. This restriction becomes a problem when they get older and become sick, as it could lead to bigger out-of-pocket expenses.

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Commodities Inflation 401(k) IRAs
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