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Last week, as expected, the Federal Reserve announced no change in the target fed funds rate at the conclusion of its scheduled meeting. But, it also went one step further. For the first time it included in its economic projections the calendar year in which each of the members of the Open Market Committee anticipates that the first increase in the fed funds rate will occur, consistent with the Fed's dual mandate of full employment and stable prices.
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Recent findings from the New Retirement Mindscape® City Pulse indexsuggest that a person’s gender may influence the ways they plan for retirement, and it appears both men and women can learn a lot from one another. Regardless of your marital status, it’s beneficial to understand that the ways you approach retirement may be different from your spouse or partner, family and peers. Though there may never be absolute agreement among couples or families when it comes to planning financially for retirement, different perspectives are often very valuable.
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It’s natural to feel a bit apprehensive about retirement, especially as concerns about the economy continue to linger and career setbacks remain prevalent. The options and advice available to you can often seem overwhelming and complex, but there are several simple things you can do if you’re feeling unprepared for your retirement years. Suzanna de Baca, vice president of wealth strategies at Ameriprise Financial shares the following steps to help you prepare for — and feel more confident about — your retirement.Minneapolis – (January 24, 2012) – Men and women are preparing for retirement in very different ways, according to additional findings from the New Retirement Mindscape® City Pulse index, released today by Ameriprise Financial. While men outpace women in planning for the financial aspects of retirement (77% vs. 72%), women are more likely to say they’ve thought about what they’d like to do during retirement. And though a mere 22% of Americans report confidence in reaching their retirement goals, men are significantly more likely than women to report this sentiment (25% vs. 19%).
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A quick glance at the U.S. Dollar (DXY) Index shows that, since the start of the year, the dollar is fractionally higher. But this index, which is an often-cited proxy for relative dollar strength, has its limitations. It is a weighted index of the dollar's value against six foreign currencies: the euro, yen, pound, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona, and Swiss franc. The euro alone accounts for over half of the weighting. Because of the narrow composition of the index, it can provide an incomplete picture of how the dollar is faring against excluded currencies, including those of some important investment destinations for U.S. investors.
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January is a time of new beginnings and for some that means filing for divorce. While those who are going through this life-changing event may empathize with the celebrity couples who are also ending their marriages, most don’t have the same financial means on which to rely after the split. Ameriprise financial advisors are available to discuss ways to avoid financial fallout during or following a divorce. Possible topics include:
- Things to consider while adjusting to a new income and budget.
- Ways to approach splitting up assets without compromising your financial security.
- Urgent to-do’s following a divorce like changing beneficiaries and reviewing insurance coverage.
- Financial tips for newly single parents and ways to manage alimony and child support payments.
- Re-evaluating short- and long- term financial goals like buying your own home and retirement.
Check out what Suzanna de Baca, vice president of wealth strategies, suggests for those undergoing a divorce.
While U.S. markets were closed Monday for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, foreign markets were, indeed, open and active. European equities rallied after a successful debt auction in France. Last week, Standard and Poor’s not unexpectedly downgraded the sovereign debt ratings of nine Eurozone countries—including France and Austria, which lost their AAA ratings. And on Monday, S&P followed through by lowering the rating of the European Financial Stability Facility—which raises money for the financial bailouts of Portugal, Ireland, and Greece, and whose debt is secured by its now less creditworthy member states—from AAA to AA+. Despite these downgrades, the yield on most Eurozone government bonds fell on Monday. The notable exception was Portugal, whose ten-year note yield skyrocketed by 178 basis points to 13.17 percent, after its downgrade left it with a below-investment grade rating.
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MINNEAPOLIS – January 12, 2012 – Ameriprise Financial, Inc., one of the largest diversified financial services companies in United States, today announced its entry into the Indian market with the introduction of financial planning and advisory services. Ameriprise has rolled out its operations from Mumbai and Delhi-NCR, where it will offer holistic financial planning services to upwardly mobile Indian consumers.
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Financial planning is a complex process for most people, and it can be especially so for those who live in our country temporarily on special visas. When families in these circumstances seek financial advice, they require someone who understands the intricacies of their unique situation.An interest and educational background in economics and international studies helped land Rebecca Hall, a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial, where she is today. Based in Washington D.C., Hall specializes in serving foreign nationals, like diplomats and employees of aid organizations. Her previous work at the World Bank helped familiarize her with the special needs of these clients, including how their residency status impacts their financial investments and taxes.
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