The Ricks Report November 13, 2017   NUMBERS OF $IGNIFICANCE  $   INCREASE EVERYONE – Individual income taxes paid by American taxpayers would have to increase by +42% in order to eliminate our $666 billion deficit from fiscal year 2017 (source: Treasury Department).  $   COMPLETE CYCLE – The jobless rate in the United States was 5.0%…

Read More

The Ricks Report October 23, 2017 Numbers of $ignificance • INCREASING EQUITY – The average loan-to-value ratio in the US housing market as of 6/30/08 was 55%, i.e., the average home mortgage had 45% of equity behind it. The average loan-to-value ratio in the US housing market as of 6/30/17 was 42%, i.e., the average…

Read More

The Ricks Report October 9, 2017 Numbers of $ignificance LARGEST IN THE WORLD– The US economy is $19.25 trillion in size as of 6/30/17. 10 years ago (2007), the economy was worth $14.48 trillion.  20 years ago (1997), it was worth $8.61 trillion. 30 years ago (1987), it was worth $4.87 trillion (source: Commerce Department).…

Read More

This is the story of Al, Bob and Carl. Each cousin is the non-spouse beneficiary of his father’s 401(k) plan. Their fathers worked together at the local automotive factory for their entire lives and were all covered by the same plan. The default distribution option in the plan for non-spouse beneficiaries is a five-year payout.…

Read More

This week’s Slott Report Mailbag examines Roth IRA transfers, QCDs and RMDs. As always, we recommend you work with a competent, educated financial advisor to keep your retirement nest egg safe and secure. You can find one in your area here. Question: Dear Ed Slott and Company, Thank you for helping me with my question. I’m in the…

Read More