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INCOME, RETIREMENT, STRATEGIES

Robert Carlson

Editor,

Retirement Watch

  • Editor of Retirement Watch Since 1991
  • Author of Several Books & Contributor to Forbes
  • Chairman Fairfax Co. Employees' Retirement System

About Robert

Robert Carlson is editor of the monthly newsletter and website, Retirement Watch. He is chairman of the board of trustees of the Fairfax County Employees' Retirement System, which has over $3 billion in assets, and was a member of the board of trustees of the Virginia Retirement System, which oversaw $42 billion in assets, from 2001-2005. He co-authored Personal Finance After 50 for Dummies (with Eric Tyson). Previous books include Invest Like a Fox...Not Like a Hedgehog and The New Rules of Retirement.

Robert's Articles

The new Exchange Traded Funds have been good for the price of Bitcoin. After a multi-year legal fight, ETF providers prevailed in 2023. A federal appeals court said the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) didn’t have a good reason to prohibit proposed ETFs that owned Bitcoin. A new development could fuel further gains, notes Bob Carlson, editor of Retirement Watch.
Over the last couple of years, a few stocks, known generally as the Magnificent Seven, were responsible for most of the appreciation in the major stock market indexes. There’s too much risk in these stocks and the major indexes, observes fund expert Bob Carlson, editor of Retirement Watch.
After a sluggish start to 2024, the major stock indexes resumed moving upward. By Jan. 19, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average established new record highs. The S&P 500 continued to gain in five of the next six trading sessions. But the broad stock market isn’t doing as well as the major indexes and it won’t take a big disappointment or surprise to cause investors to move some money out of stocks, writes Bob Carlson, editor of Retirement Watch.
Investment markets bounced sharply higher in early November, reversing trends and relative returns in different investments. I don’t expect the new trend to be sustained – and that’s why I still recommend the Hussman Strategic Growth Fund (HSGFX), counsels Bob Carlson, editor of Retirement Watch.

Robert's Videos

Tax increases are the focus in Washington as Congress seeks to pay for the money it spent during the pandemic, and the trillions of dollars it wants to spend in the future. But many valuable tax strategies aren't going to be touched by Congress. Robert Carlson will review valuable ways to make investments and income tax free, increase deductions, and otherwise shelter income from taxes.

Congress and the IRS have been busy recently making a lot of changes in IRAs and the other key elements of your retirement plan. In this presentation, Robert Carlson discusses what you need to know about Stretch IRAs, required minimum distributions, IRA conversions, Social Security's solvency and how it affects you, and much more.
Congress and the IRS have been busy recently, making a lot of changes in IRA's and the other key elements of your retirement plan. In this presentation, Bob Carlson discusses what you need to know about Stretch IRAs, required minimum distributions, IRA conversions, Social Security's solvency and how it affects you, and much more.
Robert Carlson, retirement planning expert, explains the Secure Act and how it could affect your retirement planning.


Robert's Books

Robert Carlson

The New Rules of Retirement: Strategies for a Secure Future

Robert C. Carlson uses proven, profitable techniques to coordinate all the factors that lead to financial security and independence. You'll learn how much you really need to save for retirement, how to invest that nest egg before and during retirement, and how to establish a wise and sustainable spending strategy. 
Robert Carlson

Personal Finance After 50 For Dummies

Numerous life changes come with the territory of getting older—as we're reminded every day by anti-aging campaigns—but one change the media doesn't often mention is the need for a shifting approach to personal financial management. Personal Finance After 50 For Dummies, 2nd Edition offers the targeted information you need to make informed decisions regarding your investments, spending, and how to best protect your wealth.

Newsletter Contributions

Retirement Watch

Published every Sunday and delivered to your email inbox. In each issue, Bob Carlson shares valuable tips and actionable insights on retirement topics like estate planning, taxes, IRAs, and many more.

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