Investment of any nature and for any goal is always a good idea, apart from saving for your retirement. The rising rate of inflation coupled with reduced pension plans demonstrate the need for retirement-focused investments, which will not just deliver value over an extended period of time. That being said, not all assets are capable of delivering high returns at low risk and have their own set of importance to investor portfolios. To help you make an informed investment decision, here are some best retirement investments and their pros and cons. Cash-balance plans Similar to pensions, a cash-balance plan offers a fixed amount of return at the time of retirement. However, unlike pensions, every employee has a cash-balance account where the lump sum amount is mentioned. Employers credit this account with a set percentage of the employee’s yearly compensation plus interest charges. Pros: A defined-benefit is a major attraction of cash-balance plans. Additionally, you don’t have to pay a single penny for it and yet it offers a tremendous certainty of retirement funds. In case of a job switch, these accounts can be transferred to your new job. Cons: Should you choose to retire early, the plan wouldn’t benefit much.

Anyone who starts a small business needs financial support. In the initial phase, businesses often need loans for all their expenses. Here is where a guaranteed business loan would be extremely helpful. Let us learn more about these guaranteed business loans: To begin with, let us understand the definition of a guaranteed business loan. A guaranteed business loan is a type of funding provided against some collateral. This means that if the borrower fails to make a payment, the lender does not lose out on the money. This is also where many business owners misunderstand the term of these loans and assume that their loan applications will not get rejected. However, this is a misunderstanding, as it is the other way round. Types of guaranteed business loans There are two broad categories of guaranteed business loans. The first one includes loans that are backed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the second ones are those backed by a personal guarantee. The SBA helps to reduce the risk for loan providers. In most cases, the SBA can secure close to 85% of the loan. The SBA 7(a) loans are extremely popular and can provide as much as USD 5 million.

When you are looking for investment advisors, you may either opt for the traditional individual service provider or an online agency or an automated Robo-advisor. The fees may vary for each type of advisor. Here are two things you may consider while searching for an investment advisor. Determine the services required Your need may simply be to avail of assistance in choosing the right investments. Alternatively, you may also require additional services like insurance or estate planning. Determining your service requirements will help you make an informed decision. Know your budget An individual advisor offering holistic advice will be expensive. On the other hand, an online service provider may be more affordable. Know your budget to choose the right service provider. Irrespective of the type of investment advisor you choose, it is crucial to check their qualifications and registration. The chosen advisor must adhere to all the fiduciary requirements for maximum benefits. During the COVID-19 pandemic, markets are witnessing extreme volatility. Amidst this uncertainty, there has never been a greater necessity for the best investment advisors to offer prudent advice to their clients to protect their investments. Here are the top three wealth advisors in the country Jeff Erdmann, Greenwich, Connecticut Team assets (Custodied – $8.6 billion) Jeff is the Founder of the Erdmann Group that serves a select group of successful high net worth clients.

In the past, social security benefits and pension were sufficient to cover your expenses after your retirement. However, today these are not adequate to ensure financial freedom during your golden years. You may invest in several retirement plans that not only provide financial security in the future but also offer tax advantages along with other benefits. However, there are multiple investment options, and making the right choice may be difficult. Here are the five best retirement investments for your consideration: Retirement income funds These are specialized types of mutual funds and automatically invest your money in different bonds and stocks. Providing monthly income is the primary objective of fund management. These funds are designed as an all-in-one package that will meet a particular goal. Retirement income funds allow you to stay in control of your investments, which may be accessed when needed. But if you make a partial withdrawal, your future income will decrease. Immediate annuities Most annuities are more of insurance rather than investments. However, the purpose of annuities is to provide income, which is the primary objective of any kind of retirement investment. When you opt for an immediate annuity, you are availing assurance of income in the future.

You may have often come across several credit card companies, and many of them offer great discounts or rewards on applying for a new credit card. With a wide range of choices available in the market, it might get overwhelming and difficult to choose the right one for you. To ensure that you make an informed decision, you must explore your options and consider a few things before you choose a credit card company. Here’s how to select the most suitable one from the numerous credit card companies in the market: Decide what you need the card for The first step to choosing the right card is to understand what you need it for. If you wish to use it for general spending, you should go for a low-interest option from credit card companies that provide rewards on daily spends. On the other hand, if you are looking for ways to consolidate your debt or need a card for business spending, you can look at credit card companies that offer deals and discounts in those areas. See which company you already have an account with It makes a lot more sense to opt for an add-on credit card from a company you already have an account with.

In today’s day and age, financial planning has become extremely crucial. One of the best ways to do this is with the help of automated investing. This particular process entails the usage of a digital platform to carry out pre-programmed investing as well as trading decisions for the customers. It is based on algorithms as well as variables provided by the user including their income, age, risk tolerance, and goals. Herein, we covering some more details about automated investing and show you how to pick the right plan . Benefits of automated investing Some advantages of automated investing include Lower charges Automated investing costs considerably lesser than traditional financial advisors. While old school firms may charge an annual fee of 1% to 2%, automated investing comes at a much lower or negligible fee. Convenient setup and management You can create an account and then set the desired level of risk and goals through which an algorithm can invest the money in exchange-traded funds; these funds are diversified, tax-efficient, and low-cost. Moreover, automated advisors help you tack a keep of your investments by providing you with real-time updates and periodic optimization of your portfolio. Determines risk tolerance upfront Automated investing helps you mark your risk tolerance as per your convenience.

A reverse mortgage refers to a loan. People who are older than 62 years of age and have home equity can borrow against the value of the home they own. They can then receive funds in the form of a lump sum amount, line of credit, or fixed monthly payment. In the following article, we are going to be talking about reverse mortgage eligibility in detail. The basic qualifications for reverse mortgage eligibility include: Age qualifications To qualify for a reverse mortgage, you need to be over 62 years of age. However, in some cases, if the spouse may be under 62 years of age, you may still be eligible. But, even in this case, it would be possible for you to get a reverse mortgage. Owner-occupied You must be living in the house you wish to apply for in a reverse mortgage. It needs to be your primary residence to gain a reverse mortgage on that. If it is a vacation home or your secondary home, you may lose out on reverse mortgage eligibility. Counseling session You need to complete a proper counseling session with an agency that is approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Dividend exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are primarily funds invested in stocks that have a high dividend payout history. Such stocks may either be domestic or international companies across various industries and sectors. Generally, high dividend payout histories are a feature of large blue-chip companies with lower risks. Working of an ETF ETFs are a basket of multiple stocks and are similar to mutual funds. However, the former types of funds are traded like individual stocks. ETFs also allow investors to gain wider exposure and are less risky as the holding companies are large and stable. When an individual invests in the shares of ABC Ltd., there is a risk if the price decreases. However, when he invests in an ETF, the risk of price decrease reduces, as the fund invests in several other stocks along with the shares of ABC Ltd. Investors who are contemplating investing in high dividend ETF funds need to consider the following four factors: Objective of the fund Not every dividend ETF invests in the same manner. Some of these funds may invest only in companies that have a history of increasing dividend payouts for a particular period. Alternatively, some other funds may invest in stocks of companies that pay the highest dividends.

Debt settlement is one of the most viable solutions for people who are not able to repay their debts or who don’t want to file for bankruptcy. Even though debt settlement comes with a considerable amount of risks, it is quite a helpful solution that takes care of your immediate needs when you are in a financial rut. In this article, we will talk about the top 10 debt settlement companies that you can choose from. Accredited Debt Relief Accredited Debt Relief helps you eliminate the debt by allowing you to pay less than what you owe. Some of the main features of opting for this company include flexibility in the types of unsecured debts and debt resolution within 12 to 60 months. DMB Financial This company is a great option for a host of unsecured debts, and even to settle the debt accumulated due to credit cards. The resolution period ranges from 36 to 48 months. It was founded in the year 2003, and is one of the best companies to consider when you want to restructure your debt. Pacific Debt Inc Founded in the year 2002, Pacific Debt Inc. is one of the top 10 debt settlement companies.

Triple net properties, commonly known as NNN properties, are commercial premises leased under conditions that differ from other lease agreements. The tenant is responsible to pay all expenses related to the premises, including insurance, property tax, and maintenance of the property. These kinds of properties are unique because as an investor, you are not responsible for any expenses or management. If you’re looking for NNN properties for sale, searching online is the best option. Here are some things to consider while looking for NNN properties for sale: Quality of the tenant Well-reputed and large franchise chains like McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts, or Starbucks are desirable as tenants. When the property is leased to such tenants, there is almost zero possibility of default in the timely payment of the lease. Location of the property A tenant with a strong credit history and financial background is desirable, and if you do not choose the right location, you may find it difficult to re-lease the property in case the existing tenant vacates it. So, ensure that the chosen property is located in a neighborhood that makes it accessible to and desirable among tenants. Market awareness It is recommended you choose NNN properties for sale located in a market that you’re well aware of.