The Watchman Group 
Big News for Public Servants: Social Security Rules Have Changed On January 5th, President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law. This major update gets rid of two long-standing rules that reduced benefits for many Americans: the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). For years, these rules lowered Social … Read more
The market just delivered its first 10% correction since October 2023. Sound dramatic? It’s not. In fact, since 2009, we’ve seen nine such corrections roughly every 1.6 years. Corrections are normal. What’s different this time is the sheer speed: a 10% drop in just 20 trading days. That makes this the fifth-fastest correction of its … Read more
3 Key Takeaways: Market confidence has rebounded following the election and improved global stability, but stock gains remain uneven. A handful of massive companies, the “Magnificent 7,” continue to dominate returns, creating an unsustainable market concentration. Bonds, once overlooked, are now presenting more attractive opportunities for investors. A Market Rebound, But Not for Everyone Since … Read more
It has been quite an eventful two years. In October 2022, we wrote to you during a bear market in both stocks and bonds. Inflation was nearing 8%, and the Federal Reserve had increased interest rates by 3% in just six months, with more hikes on the way to combat rising prices. Recession predictions were … Read more
We often remind investors of the importance of maintaining a consistent asset allocation. Maintaining this balance between different asset classes—such as stocks, bonds, and cash—helps manage risk, especially during times of economic uncertainty. No one can predict the market with perfect accuracy, but having a well-diversified portfolio can help soften the impact of unexpected downturns. … Read more
A couple of months ago, the IRS released its final regulations on Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for retirement accounts like 401ks and IRAs. Given the age (reaching retirement) and wealth of the baby boomer generation, this is a timely topic. Many of you reading this will need to follow these new rules, especially if you … Read more
The national debt recently surpassed $35 trillion. Should we be worried? Contrary to common wisdom, the short answer is…not as much as you might think. $35 trillion is such a large number it can be hard for most of us to get our heads around. Debt IS a liability, but is only one side of … Read more
Investment Portfolio Overview: Q2 2024 The two areas that captivated the attention of the financial markets this quarter were AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the anticipation of the Federal Reserve beginning to lower interest rates. The Impact of AI and Market Rotation There is always an abundance of excitement at the dawn of any new technological … Read more
Social Security has been a cornerstone of financial security for millions of Americans since its inception. It provides a critical safety net, especially for those who may not have significant savings or pensions. As the population ages and economic conditions fluctuate, the stability of Social Security becomes even more vital. However, the future of this … Read more
Most of you have opened an email or snail mail this year from your insurance company regarding a renewal and the new premiums probably shocked you. Home and auto rates have skyrocketed. So, what’s the deal? There are three big factors at play here: Mother Nature’s Fury Remember that crazy winter storm in Texas? Or … Read more
