Money Matters

While many put off estate planning because it can be difficult, there are several tips one can follow that can make the process less stressful.

When meeting with pre-retirees as well as current retirees, one of the most common areas of concern, apprehension, and (at times) outright fear, is whether they will run out of money during retirement.

Based on our experience over the years, we believe the rules of investing and planning for retirement that one can feel confident in have changed forever.

Whether you're in or near retirement, keeping a watchful eye on your spending can be pivotal in determining whether your funds will last at least as long as you do.

Understand exchange-traded funds and why you may want one.

Understand how the 2010 Estate and Generation Skipping Transfer Tax Repeal works.

Getting in and out of a mutual fund at the wrong time is generally accounted for by the psychology behind an investor's behavior.

San Diego-Spring is in the air and so is change, as ophthalmologists and the rest of the nation get a first look at some of the health-care payment reforms championed by President Barak Obama.

The question was asked how to use alternative investments to protect assets and let them grow at the same time. The Grandes respond: as assets grow, expand the asset classes that are invested into. Theoretically, this lowers risk while increasing the expected rate of return. This is accomplished by reducing the overall volatility of a portfolio. Structured products do offer a viable solution to investing in hard-to-reach assets.

Co-editors of Money Matters attempt to outline most of the risks and rewards of bank loan funds and help answer question on how bank loan funds may be used.

This column features responses to a reader's question about how a 529 savings plan works.

It is extremely important to get a sense of confidence in your planning, because it not only affects your future, but has an impact on your life right now.

Ultimately, both individually managed accounts and mutual funds have their proper place among today's investment alternatives.

Managers can beat their benchmark in one of two ways: they can take on more or less risk than the benchmark (beta), or they can simply pick stocks in good sectors (alpha).

Q. With the current volatility of the stock market, I am tempted to buy bonds. However, I am not sureif I should keep my fundsin a money marketaccount or attempt toreceive higher interestby purchasing long-term corporate or government bonds. Do you have any recommendations?

Q: My recent divorce calls for a settlement that includes part of my IRA assets. What is the best method to accomplish the transfer?

Editor's Note: This month, Ophthalmology Times introduces a new column, Money Matters, written by two seasoned certified financial planners, John J. and Traudy F. Grande. For 15 years, their firm, Grande Financial Services, located in Oakhurst, NJ, has been advising ophthalmologists on a variety of financial issues. Each month they will answer readers' questions in a question-and-answer format. Send comments and questions to grande@rjfs.com.

Most people do not have to be reminded of how it feels to witness their investment portfolios declining by up to 30% in 2000 and 2001. Knowing that you are not alone does little to remedy the feelings of loss.