Douglas G. Schmitz

Life Expectancy

Knowing your likely life expectancy is an important factor in making long-term financial plans.

IRA Eligibility

Use this calculator to determine whether you qualify for the different types of IRAs.

Cost of Retirement

Use this calculator to estimate how much income and savings you may need in retirement.

Long-Term Care Self Insurance

Will you be able to afford nursing home care?

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Lessons from a Perilous Year

In retrospect, 2011 was a formidable year for catastrophes. Small businesses can be hit hard when extreme weather or a natural disaster causes damage or forces a temporary closure. This article considers the importance of adequate insurance protection and ways to help reduce uninsured losses.

ETFs for the Conservative Investor

The number of exchange-traded funds has grown rapidly in the last decade. Total ETF assets exceeded $1 trillion in March 2011, an increase of more than $200 million over the previous year. This article explains the potential benefits of ETFs and why some of them might appeal to the risk-averse.

HOT TOPIC: European News Causes Market Mood Swings

In recent weeks, the yields on Italian bonds spiked to more than 7%, suggesting the sovereign debt crisis was spreading to a much larger economy and eluding the European Union’s efforts to contain it. The U.S. stock and bond markets have responded to the headlines coming out of Europe. This article explores the role of political risk in U.S. financial market volatility.

Using a Variable Annuity for Guaranteed Income

One recommendation from the White House Task Force on Middle Class Working Families was for retirees to consider purchasing annuities to help provide a stable income. Investors who want their retirement portfolios to go the distance might want to learn more about variable annuities.

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