rapidfire
Free Advice? Retirement Living
A
recent Cerulli Associates poll found 47 percent of surveyed in- vestors preferred paying commis-
sions for investment advice. While that is surprising, what truly is shocking is 31 percent believed their advisors provided free investment advice. This is a huge error in judgment, be-
cause reducing unnecessary expenses is the easiest way to increase your investment returns. You should know exactly what you are paying in commissions, “markups” (charges hidden in the price), annual fees (deducted directly from your account or in- directly from your mutual fund), or hourly rates. Only then can you compare total costs to the services received and deter- mine whether you are paying a fair price.
Advisors are obligated to inform inves- tors about all charges, but that information can be buried in an agreement or prospec- tus. It is not rude to ask, “What will this cost me in direct and indirect charges?” If you don’t feel comfortable with the answer you receive, at the very least get a second opinion, if not another advisor. Expert investment advice has value, so
investors should expect to pay something in return. If you work with an advisor, you can be virtually certain you will pay for his or her time and expertise — one way or another. Assuming otherwise con- tradicts that cardinal rule, “You don’t get something for nothing.” — Capt. Kent M. Grealish, USNR-Ret., CFP®, AIF®
Family Matters
Discover helpful re- sources for military spouses and children.
If you’re a military spouse looking for a job or preparing for a fu- ture career, MOAA and Blue Star Families’ 2012 spouse symposium, “Keeping a Career on the Move,”in San Diego Jan. 26 brings together workshops, experts, and employers who can help.
“We’ve designed
the day to inspire and empower military spouses wherever they might be in their career ambitions,” says Monique Rizer, deputy director of spouse programs for MOAA and the event coordinator. “Whether you are working out- side the home, volun- teering, or focusing on raising a family, there is something for ev- eryone at this event.”
*online: Register for the 2012 spouse symposium at
www.moaa.org/spousesymposium. JANUARY 2012 MILITARY OFFICER 25
IMAGES: ABOVE, TIN SALAMUNIC; RIGHT, SEAN SHANAHAN
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92