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IN THE KNOW
Monthly Newsletter
January 2024
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At ML&R Wealth Management, we want to ensure our clients are In The Know.
Happy New Year! As we step into 2024 with renewed energy and optimism, we're thrilled to bring you the first edition of our newsletter for the year. In this issue, we delve deep into the latest retirement and tax strategies, ensuring you're well-equipped for a financially robust year ahead. We're also proud to give a special shoutout to the inspiring work of the Girls Empowerment Network, a testament to the power of community and support. Let's embark on this year's journey with insight, inspiration, and a little bit of fun!
We are a firm that understands that managing your assets is about more than money. It is about empowering your future. At ML&R Wealth Management, we focus on you.
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New Retirement Planning Strategies in the Current Economic Landscape
Scott Adair, CFP®, Service Advisor
sadair@mlrpc.com | (512) 275-2734
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, 4 million Americans will turn 65 in 2024, the most in history. Unfortunately, more than two-fifths of baby boomers have no retirement savings. Transitioning from your old career to retirement is a significant life change that requires careful consideration. Let’s explore issues that retirees face and strategies for adjusting to new retirement challenges seamlessly, even in times of great uncertainty.
Extended Life Expectancy
While none of us know how long we will live, Americans who make it to age 65 have an average life expectancy of 82 for men and 85 for women, according to the Social Security Administration’s Actuarial Life Table. Many, of course, will live longer than this. Planning for longevity when it comes to retirement is essential so you do not run out of money prematurely.
Read More...
Click here to view additional articles by Scott Adair.
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Empowering the Next Generation - The Girls Empowerment Network
In a world where young girls often face daunting challenges and societal pressures, the Girls Empowerment Network (GEN) stands out as a beacon of hope and strength. This remarkable nonprofit, centered in the heart of Texas, has dedicated over a quarter-century to nurturing and empowering young girls, enabling them to unleash their full potential.
The core mission of GEN is to "ignite the power in girls." This is achieved through various innovative programs and initiatives designed to equip girls with the necessary skills to thrive and believe in their unstoppable strength. The organization has crafted a unique approach that combines practical skills with emotional support, aiming to build self-efficacy and confidence.
Key Programs and Initiatives
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Girl Connect: In collaboration with over 60 Texas schools, GEN's Girl Connect program focuses on improving educational outcomes for girls, parents, and teachers through various outreach initiatives and professional development.
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We Are Girls Conferences: Specifically designed for girls in grades 3-8 and their caregivers, these conferences provide a platform for learning, inspiration, and community building.
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Corporate Engagement: GEN partners with corporations for professional development workshops and volunteer activities, emphasizing self-efficacy building.
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Summer Camp: These in-person camps offer an engaging mix of activities, games, and educational content, all designed to inspire girls to advocate for themselves and their communities.
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Spark Change Project: Established in 2020, this project focuses on centering girls of color as leaders in advocacy, empowering them to find their activist voices and inspire social change.
The Girls Empowerment Network is more than just a nonprofit; it's a movement dedicated to igniting the inherent power within every girl. Through its various programs, GEN not only educates but also inspires, creating a supportive environment where young girls can grow, learn, and ultimately, lead. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when we invest in empowering the next generation.
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Employee Spotlight ~ A Lighter Side of Finance! | Our Wealth Management team, usually all about numbers and strategies, is taking a fun detour! We've swapped our financial charts for some quirky and entertaining questions. Get ready for a delightful glimpse into our personalities. It's time to see the lighter, more playful side of our expert team! | |
Do you have any fears or phobias? | | |
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Being trapped in a small elevator in the dark | |
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Metal grates in the sidewalk | |
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Being in the employee spotlight | |
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By Wes Crill, PhD, Senior Investment Director and Vice President
Global diversification can increase the reliability of outperformance for strategies pursuing higher than market returns because premiums, like the value premium, do not always move in lockstep across markets. Positive outcomes for a premium in one region can offset underperformance in another.
A global perspective on recent relative returns for value stocks emphasizes this point. While value underperformed growth in the US over the past 12 months,1 value outperformed sharply within both developed ex US and emerging markets. Going back five years, including a difficult stretch for the premiums leading into the pandemic, value beat growth in both non-US segments.
Read More...
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- After posting double-digit losses in 2022, stocks soared and bonds rebounded last year.
- Gains in the tech sector helped growth stocks outperform value stocks in the US, but the value premium was positive outside the US.
- Economic resilience in the US and elsewhere is helping boost the global outlook, but 2023 showed why planning for uncertainty is prudent.
It was a year that defied expectations by many accounts. A number of forecasts predicted that the US economy would enter a recession in 2023 as the Federal Reserve raised interest rates to fight high inflation. But the economy remained resilient, inflation eased, and the Fed declined to lift rates later in the year. US stocks rose in 2023, despite some setbacks along the way.1 Many economists who called for a recession have since walked back their predictions. This underscored that guessing where markets may be headed is not a reliable way to invest.
Read More...
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About ML&R Wealth Management: | |
At ML&R Wealth Management, we take investing personally. Your ML&R Wealth Management advisor will work to develop a lasting relationship with you, keeping in touch to understand your changing goals and to provide an asset management strategy to help achieve them. Whenever you need sound financial advice, you have a direct line to a trusted advisor.
For over 25 years, we have served individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits with wealth management services, custom retirement and 401(k) plans, and portfolio management.
We believe in accountability and transparency and operate as a fee-only advisor with fees calculated solely on assets under management.
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