How to Get the Right Financial Adviser
Selecting the right financial adviser is crucial. You want someone who is trustworthy and who will act in your best interest, but they are not as easy to find as you would think. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal provides tips on finding an adviser who is the right match for you. The author of […]
A Simple Guide to Life Insurance
Life insurance is often sold as a “one size fits all” product; it will serve as protection and as an investment account that will grow at an impressive interest rate. When you take the time to unwind these products, you will often find that the old saying holds true: “If it seems too good to […]
Should I Google My Retirement Plan?
A simple Google search for “retirement plan” or “retirement calculator” will provide thousands upon thousands of results. The number of websites that promise to provide retirement or financial guidance in a short amount of time are plentiful. The real question is, are they accurate? As with anything in life, the devil is in the details. […]
Are There Better Options Than the Lockheed Martin Target Date Funds?
The default investment option for the Lockheed Martin Salaried Savings Plan (SSP) and the Capital Accumulation Plan (CAP) is the managed Target Date funds. A Target Date fund is designed to capture the entire investment market in a single fund. In addition, as you approach retirement, the Target Date fund becomes less and less risky. […]
Lockheed Martin MST Voluntary Layoff Program
Lockheed Martin MST recently announced the upcoming Voluntary Layoff Program with the goal of reducing the divisional workforce by 1,500 employees. If you are considering retirement and are eligible for the Voluntary Layoff Program, it may make sense to deeply consider the options. As with all retirement and transition decisions, there are two main components: […]
Rockbridge Understands You – Lockheed Martin
When evaluating a financial advisor, the most important factor is that they truly understand you as a person and your personal situation. At Rockbridge, we have a dedicated focus in working with clients that are employees of Lockheed Martin. Because of this, we already have an expertise in all employee benefits plans and how each […]
Market Commentary April 2016
Stock Markets After January’s rough start, stock markets bounced back nicely in March, bringing most numbers into the black for the quarter. Domestic Small Cap and International Developed Markets are the exception – down about 1.5% and 2%, respectively. Notice from the accompanying chart that it was Emerging Markets that led the way, earning nearly […]
Would You Rather Visit an Estate Attorney or a Dentist?
I will make the argument here: Most people would rather go to the dentist than get their estate documents (Living Will, Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy) in order. Why? The dentist appointment usually only lasts an hour and does not require any preparation or thought in advance. In contrast, the estate planning process […]
Tempted to Trust Your Gut? – Another Reason to Commit to a Disciplined Strategy
“The three worst words of stock market advice: Trust Your Gut.” That was the headline of a recent article by Jason Zweig in The Wall Street Journal, reporting on a new academic study. Dr. Robert Shiller of Yale, who won the Nobel Prize in economics in 2013, has been surveying investors about their expectations since […]
When Stock Pickers Stop Picking Stocks
Many investors pay high fees for actively managed funds. Traditionally with these funds, an investor pays the “manager” of the fund to select investments that they believe will outperform the market. This, in turn, should give the investor a higher return than the market produces. Although many expect a higher rate of return, evidence shows […]