Category Archives: Retirement

Real yields are sliding lower with talk of a ‘Fed pivot’

Posted on December 10, 2023 by Tipswatch

By David Enna, Tipswatch.com You can’t watch CNBC for more than 10 minutes without hearing some analyst predict the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates in March 2024 … or May … or certainly by June. On the other … Continue reading →

Posted in Federal Reserve, I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Retirement, Savings Bond | 27 Comments

Let’s look at the new iShares Defined-Maturity TIPS ETFs

Posted on December 3, 2023 by Tipswatch

These new funds offer simplicity, but with some drawbacks. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Back in late September, financial adviser/author Allan Roth sent me an email pointing out BlackRock’s new offering of 10 defined-maturity TIPS ETFs. Roth, who has been pushing … Continue reading →

Posted in Investing in TIPS, Retirement, TreasuryDirect | 44 Comments

Medicare costs for 2024 are rising faster than U.S. inflation

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Tipswatch

Part B costs, deductibles and IRMAA surcharges will increase about 6% next year. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Less than a month ago, U.S. retirees collecting Social Security learned their benefits will be increasing 3.2% beginning in January. That was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Inflation, Medicare, Retirement, Social Security | 32 Comments

Random thoughts on I Bonds in 2023, 2024

Posted on November 5, 2023 by Tipswatch

I Bonds remain attractive, but when and why? By David Enna, Tipswatch.com The I Bond’s new fixed rate of 1.3% — the highest in 16+ years — and the resulting composite rate of 5.27% should be creating a lot of … Continue reading →

Posted in I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Retirement, Savings Bond, Treasury Bills, TreasuryDirect | 51 Comments

September inflation sets I Bond’s new variable rate at 3.94%; Social Security COLA will be 3.2%

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Tipswatch

I Bond’s new composite rate could exceed 5% at the November reset. By David Enna, Tipswatch.com Investors in U.S. Series I Savings Bonds will see the investment’s annualized inflation-adjusted variable rate rise to 3.94% at the November 1 reset, up … Continue reading →

Posted in Cash alternatives, I Bond, Inflation, Investing in TIPS, Retirement, Savings Bond, Social Security, Treasury Bills | 39 Comments