With international stock markets comprising about 40 percent of the world's capitalization as of 2023, a broad range of investment opportunities exist outside the borders of the U.S.1 For investors who are looking to diversify their mutual fund portfolio with exposure to companies located outside the U.S., there exist two basic choices: A global mutual…
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True North Financial Advisors Provides Financial Advice for Federal Employees to Manage Retirement Plan Benefits
Written by, Stephen Ostrofsky, CFP® True North Financial Advisors provides direction and advice to individuals who are current or former federal employees covered under the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). Federal Employees have three retirement benefits that need to be coordinated, including: the Basic FERS Benefit Plan, Social Security and the Thrift Savings Plan. True…
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Will the All-Weather 60/40 Portfolio Allocation Regain its Luster for Investors?
Written by Stephen Ostrofsky, CFP® Most long-time investors can remember when interest rates were at a level which made bonds a viable asset class in portfolio allocations for most investment objectives and risk tolerances. As an asset class bonds provide portfolio stability as a reliable source of income and a hedge against stocks declines…
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Personalized Investment Advice through Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts
Written by Stephen Ostrofsky, CFP® The pursuit of personalized investment advice can sometimes be difficult for many Florida Retirement System (FRS) Investment Plan and PBSO Deferred Compensation Plan investors. Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts (SDBAs) available in both of the above mentioned retirement plans has generally gone unnoticed by many PBSO deputy sheriffs and employees. In January…
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