February 2011 - Benchmark Journal

The Ideal Investment Portfolio

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Tom Sanderson • 0 Comments

When a finance-based company starts to build the ideal investment portfolio, at the same time, it will set up an investment analysis. A customer who needs portfolio management services will approach such a company, especially if they are looking for a way to create their own investment portfolio. Creating an ideal investment portfolio will assist with a retirement budget but when doing that, one first has to determine exactly when they plan to retire. So financial planners (or investment portfolio managers) are the ideal people to help with this, while creating the best investment portfolio once you have worked how the amount of money you want to invest; your level of risk tolerance and your financial returns expectations.

Investment Portfolios

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Tom Sanderson • 0 Comments

If you want to make the most of your retirement, planning is key. One way of doing this is getting an investment portfolio which facilitates personal investment management and helps with organizing budget and savings. An investment portfolio is basically a cohesion of investments an institution/individual has. If this is done in an efficient way,… Continue Reading

FTSE, Oil Prices and Libya’s Crisis

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Tom Sanderson • 0 Comments

Oil prices rose; Britain’s benchmark stock index plummeted as Muammar Gaddafi “tightened his grip on Tripoli,” yet failing to exert that control over eastern Libya. The premier’s loyal security forces allegedly forced protestors out of the capital’s streets which was undergoing major chaos as close to 300 civilians have been killed according to a Human… Continue Reading

Retirees and Immediate Annuities

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Tom Sanderson • 0 Comments

Retirees who withdrew a lump sum from their retirement plans would seemingly benefit from an immediate annuity. In theory the sum can be changed into monthly, quarterly or annual payments “that represent a portion of principal plus interest” and will last over a lifetime. But this has risks: a) getting a lifetime of regular payments… Continue Reading

Annuity Fees

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Tom Sanderson • 0 Comments

It’s important that the client reads the small print before signing an annuity contract. There can be various additional fees that might not be so clear. These include: the fee incurred for an early withdrawal which usually starts at 7 percent and then drops a percent each year until the seventh year; mortality fees of… Continue Reading

Where to Get an Annuity

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Tom Sanderson • 0 Comments

Annuities can be purchased via insurance companies, agents, stockbrokers or banks. To get the best deal vis-à-vis fees and quality, shop around carefully. Here is what you need to do: Learn about the insurer and then compare contracts. Since there are so many discrepancies in these areas, it is important you do all your homework… Continue Reading

Taxes of Payouts

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Tom Sanderson • 0 Comments

Payouts will be taxed in different ways depending on whether you have a qualified or non-qualified annuity. In the first case, this is basically some kind of retirement plan and will be privy to all tax benefits/penalties Congress established. Benefits include: no payment of income tax on withdrawal of nondeductible/after-tax amount imputed into the plan;… Continue Reading

Withdrawing Annuities

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Tom Sanderson • 0 Comments

There are two ways of withdrawing your deferred annuity: a one-time payment or monthly payment. Monthly payments are more common. The amount of money you will receive depends on: size of your contract; your life expectancy; if payments continue after your death; if you have chosen the minimum requirement payment options. If you opt for… Continue Reading

Types of Annuities

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Tom Sanderson • 0 Comments

There are different types of annuities, dependent on: how the money is paid in; withdrawn and how it is invested. The most basic ones are: single-premium (where you make the investment in one go); flexible-premium (series of payments); immediate (payments begin once annuity has been funded – popular with retirees); deferred (receive payouts a long… Continue Reading

How Investors Benefit from Annuities

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Tom Sanderson • 0 Comments

Investors can benefit from annuities in the following two ways: saving money for a long-term project and a guaranteed income for a set period of time. Annuities are great for funding a retirement or for large education fees when it is set in the child’s name under “Uniform Gifts to Minor Acts.” When the money… Continue Reading

Monthly Archives: February 2011