If you are like many Americans who have not yet retired, you may be actively striving to get to a place in life where work becomes optional.  With so many people focused on eventual retirement, and a number of tools to help you get there, why does getting to retirement seem to be such a challenge? 

Premier’s team finds that there are a number of obligations and expenses that are competing with an investor’s commitment to save and invest.  Here are some of the common items we find that prevent investors from saving more, in no particular order:

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It is nice to see the recent improvements in the capital markets. Since the low point of March 9, 2009, the world’s capital markets moved significantly higher and the Efficient Index Strategy equity portfolios are now positive for 2009. We remain optimistic for the future and appreciate the trust and confidence you have had in us as we navigate through these challenging times.  

We appreciate your calm and thoughtful response to the media’s constant focus on the issues of the day. As always, if you have anything at all that you would like todiscuss with us, please give us a call. We are here for you. Read More

Have you ever considered trying to beat the market? If so, you're not alone. A Google search for the phrase "beating the market" brings up 37.5 million results; a quick search for the same phrase on Amazon yields 493 matches in the "books" category alone. 

Given the prevalence that this financial planning strategy exhibits — not to mention the attention paid to stock picking and market timing in the financial media — it's not surprising

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Market declines in China. Plummeting oil prices. Upheavals in European markets. Brexit.  When the financial news isn't exactly stellar, it's easy to witness the effects on the market... and it's easy to feel concerned, worried or even a bit panicked.

Before you react to stock market drops, stop for a minute and regroup. Instead of reacting quickly, consider these four things to do when the market takes a tumble.

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Feeling stumped — or overwhelmed — by your investing options? You're not the only one. At Premier, our wealth advisors field questions about portfolio creation and management every day. 

The sheer amount of available financial choices can make it difficult to make investment decisions, even for experienced investors! Working with a trusted wealth advisor can help, as can educating yourself as to your options. Read on to discover

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When it comes to strategic financial planning, there's no cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all, wealth management solution. Every investor has their own unique needs and goals; that goes for women investors, too. 

Men and women often approach wealth management differently — and they should. From practical considerations to social and cultural expectations, women need to take certain financial realities into account in order to best meet their financial goals. Here are 3 financial planning areas that commonly affect women, and how to

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From economic downturns in China to market meltdowns in Greece, it seems like someone's shouting that the sky is falling every time you turn on the news. Given the financial media's tendency toward exaggeration and hyperbole — after all, steady markets don't exactly make for attention-grabbing headlines — it's no surprise that many investors tend to react emotionally to every market up and down.

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How confident do you feel about retirement? If it's a source of concern — or even anxiety — you're definitely not alone. At Premier, our retirement planning advisors address these fears every day. 

In fact, a 2014 study found that 84 percent of Baby Boomers and 92 percent of Gen Xers feel like there's a retirement crisis in America; only 16 percent of those surveyed feel that traditional retirement, i.e. leaving the workforce at age 65 and living the lifestyle they want, is even possible.

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While noone likes to imagine a time when they can't manage their own finances, it's better to be prepared. If something were to happen to the spouse, partner or significant other that manages your family's finances, is the other party prepared to pay the bills and make the important financial decisions?

Though a significant majority (more than 92 percent) of American couples surveyed indicate that they share financial decision-making responsibilities, 2014 research indicates that, regardless of age group,

 

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