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Social Security at Risk: 2033 Deadline and What to Do
In this issue:
- Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: U.S. Household Debt Breakdown, Student Loan Reform, Private Equity & Crypto in 401(k)s
- Social Security at Risk: 2033 Deadline and What to Do
- Tools & Tips: Credit Card Balance Transfer Optimizer
- Market Overview
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Chasing Income with Those High Yield ETFs. Smart or Misleading?
In this issue:
- Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Missed Car Loan at a Record Level, Employment Numbers Revised Down Sharply, 31% of Retirees Considering Returning to Work
- Chasing Income with Those High Yield ETFs. Smart or Misleading?
- Tools & Tips: ULTY or MSTY Dividend Calculators
- Market Overview
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August 2025 MyPlanIQ Portfolio Update
In this issue:
- Residential Real Estate vs. Stock Investments
- Fund Analysis: PIMCO Multisector Bond ETF PYLD
- Economic & Market Indicators
- Model Portfolios
- Funds to Watch
- Market Overview
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The Most Reliable Retirement Savings: Why $1.8 Million is a Popular Lie
In this issue:
- Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Retirement Savings Still Fall Short, Sluggish Home Sales & The Most Overvalued Stock Market
- The Most Reliable Retirement Savings Needed: Why $1.8 Million is a Popular Lie
- Tools & Tips: Retirement Spending Calculator Based on a Portfolio, Fund, or Stock
- Market Overview
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The Best Age (62, 67, or 70) to Claim Your Social Security Benefits
In this issue:
- Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Social Security Benefit Tax in One Big Beautiful Bill, The Worst US Treasury Bond Returns in History!
- The Best Age (62, 67, or 70) to Claim Your Social Security Benefits
- Tools & Tips: Social Security Benefit Claim Age Calculator
- Market Overview
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Retirement Withdrawals in Optimal Order
In this issue:
- Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Amazon Prime Day Record Sales, Inflation Rise Again? Underestimating Hobby and Pastime Costs
- Retirement Withdrawals in Optimal Order
- Tools & Tips: Retirement Withdrawal Optimal Calculator
- Market Overview
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Retirement Milestone Cheat Sheet
In this issue:
- Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: OBBB Tax Changes, More Debt Among Millennials, Adult Children Living at Home
- Retirement Milestone Cheat Sheet
- Tools & Tips: Main ETFs You Can Use
- Market Overview
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Savings Hacks
In this issue:
- Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Crypto in 401(k), Private Investments in Target Date Funds, BNPL Credit Score Impact
- Savings Hacks Using BNPL & Others
- Tools & Tips: Money Market Fund Center
- Market Overview
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July 2025 MyPlanIQ Portfolio Update
In this issue:
- Residential Real Estate vs. Stock Investments
- Fund Analysis: PIMCO Multisector Bond ETF PYLD
- Economic & Market Indicators
- Model Portfolios
- Funds to Watch
- Market Overview
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Annuity Income Payout vs. Invest & Withdraw
In this issue:
- Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Annuity Is Back, HSA & Retirement Healthcare Improvement, Growing Medical Debt Crisis
- Tools & Tips: Annuity vs Invest Calculator
- Annuity Income Payout vs. Invest & Withdraw
- Market Overview
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Why Actively Managed Bond Funds Outperform Index Funds More Often Than Stocks
Multiple research results now point to what seems like a consistent pattern: active bond funds tend to outperform their passive peers more often than stock funds do.
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Certificates of Deposit (CDs) vs. Treasuries: The Key Pros and Cons Explained
In this article, we summarize the pros and cons between CDs and Treasuries for fixed-income investors. Key Differences Between Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and Treasuries Factor CDs Treasuries Security – FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor per bank. + Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, Treasuries are considered among the safest investments, with security that surpasses even FDIC insurance. – Limited insurance coverage for amounts above $250,000 at each bank. + No limit to the amount of protection. Yield + Generally higher yields for maturities of 1 year or longer. – Typically lower yields for maturities over 1 year. – Lower yields for shorter maturities compared to Treasuries. + Higher yields for short-term maturities (less than 1 year). Note: this could possibly change so double check yields before purchase. Taxes – Subject to both federal and state income taxes. + Exempt from state income taxes. – State tax impact can reduce effective yield, especially in high-tax states. + More tax-efficient, especially in high-tax states. Maturities – Limited availability for maturities beyond 5 years. + Wide range of maturities (4 weeks to 30 years). – Flexibility can be restricted depending on the bank’s capital needs and availability of brokered CDs in a brokerage like Schwab or Fidelity. + Extensive maturity options between 2023–2053. Liquidity – Less liquid, may involve fees or uncertainty of receiving original principal if sold early. + More liquid, with an active secondary market for easy resale. – Brokered CDs can be sold in secondary markets but may involve a fee. + Easier to sell with tighter bid/ask spreads. Strategy Considerations – Fewer maturity options for building a maturity CD ladder. + Easier to build a flexible bond ladder portfolio. Convenience + Banks often promote CDs with lower yields. – Has to rely on Brokerage to purchase/sell Treasuries most times Detailed Tax Impact Comparison: State Tax Impact CDs Treasuries For High-Tax States – State income taxes can reduce yield significantly (e.g., California, New York). + State income tax exemption offers a clear tax benefit. Example – In California, a 3-year CD yielding 3.90% after state taxes drops to 3.38%. + A 3-year Treasury yielding 3.51% remains unaffected by state taxes. Breakeven Tax Rate – For a CD to equal a Treasury’s yield, a state tax rate of ~10% or more may be required. + More tax-efficient for investors in high-tax states. Conclusion In summary:
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Morningstar Manager Awards
This page tracks the historical record of the annual Morningstar Awards. Before 2019, Morningstar presented separate fund and portfolio manager awards in four categories: Domestic Stock, International Stock, Fixed Income, and Allocation/Alternative. However, since 2019, there has been a change in award categories to include Outstanding Portfolio Manager, Exemplary Stewardship, and Rising Talent. The purpose is to keep track of outstanding managers and their funds, especially in fixed income category that will serve as candidate funds for MyPlanIQ total return bond fund portfolios listed on the Income Investor page. History of Morningstar Manager Awards 2022 Outstanding Portfolio Manager: Mary Ellen Stanek, Baird (Baird Core Bond fund manager) Exemplary Stewardship: PRIMECAP 2021 Outstanding Portfolio Manager: Joel Tillinghast, Fidelity Exemplary Stewardship: Dodge & Cox. Rising Talent: Sonali Pier, Pimco (PIMICO Diversified Income manager) 2020 Outstanding Portfolio Manager: Jerome Clark, T. Rowe Price Exemplary Stewardship: T. Rowe Price (T. Rowe Price Corporate Bond Fund has Morningstar Gold rating) Rising Talent: Mohit Mittal, Pimco 2019 Outstanding Portfolio Manager: Dan Fuss, Loomis Sayles Bond (Loomis Sayles total return bond fund) Exemplary Stewardship: The Vanguard Group Rising Talent: James Marchetti, PRIMECAP Odyssey Aggressive Growth 2017 Domestic Stock: Steven Wymer; Fidelity Growth Company International Stock: Sarah Ketterer, Harry Hartford, and team; Causeway International Value Fixed Income: Michael Collins, Robert Tipp, Richard Piccirillo, and Gregory Peters; Prudential Total Return Bond Allocation/Alternatives: David Giroux; T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation 2016 Domestic Stock: David Wallack, T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Value International Stock: David Herro, Oakmark International Fixed Income: Ford O’Neil and team, Fidelity Total Bond Allocation/Alternatives: Equity and Fixed-Income Investment Policy Committees, Dodge and Cox Balanced 2015 Domestic Stock: Keith Lee, Robert Hall, Kempton Ingersol, Damien Davis, and Andrew Fones, Brown Capital Management Small Company International Stock: Robert Lovelace and team, American Funds New Perspective Fixed Income: Jerome Schneider and team, PIMCO Short-Term Alternatives: James Troyer, Michael Roach, and James Stetler, Vanguard Market Neutral Allocation: John Keogh and Michael Reckmeyer, Vanguard Wellesley Income 2014 Domestic Stock: Theo Kolokotrones, Joel Fried, Al Mordecai, Mohsin Ansari, and James Marchetti, Primecap Odyssey Aggressive Growth, Primecap Odyssey Growth, Primecap Odyssey Stock, Vanguard Capital Opportunity, Vanguard Primecap Core, and Vanguard Primecap International Stock: Charles Pohl, Diana Strandberg, and team, Dodge and Cox International Stock Fixed Income: Ken Leech, Carl Eichstaedt, and Mark Lindbloom, Western Asset Core Bond and Western Asset Core Plus Bond Alternatives: Robert T. Jones and Ali Motamed, Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Allocation: Anne Lester and team, JPMorgan SmartRetirement target-date series 2013 Domestic Stock: Dennis Lynch and team, Morgan Stanley Focus Growth, Morgan Stanley Institutional Growth, Morgan Stanley Institutional Mid Cap Growth, and Morgan Stanley Institutional Small Company Growth International Stock: David Samra and Daniel O’Keefe, Artisan International Value and Artisan Global Value Fixed Income: Daniel J. Ivascyn and Alfred T. Murata, PIMCO Income Alternatives: Brian Hurst, Yao Hua Ooi, and team, AQR Managed Futures Strategy I Allocation: Steven Romick, Mark Landecker, and Brian Selmo, FPA Crescent 2012 Domestic Stock: Bill Frels and Mark Henneman, Mairs and Power Growth International Stock: Rajiv Jain, Virtus Foreign Opportunities and Virtus Emerging Markets Opportunities Fixed Income: Mark Kiesel, PIMCO Investment-Grade Corporate Bond Alternatives: The team of Eric Newman, Kevin Gates, Larry Eiben, Richard Gates, Chao Chen, and Yan Liu, TFS Market Neutral Allocation: David Giroux, T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation 2011 Domestic Stock: Scott Satterwhite, James Kieffer, and George Sertl, Artisan Mid Cap Value, Artisan Small Cap Value, and Artisan Value International Stock: William Browne, John Spears, Tom Shrager, and Bob Wyckoff, Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fixed Income: John Carlson, Fidelity New Markets Income 2010 Domestic Stock: Bob Goldfarb and David Poppe, Sequoia International Stock: Brent Lynn, Janus Overseas Fixed Income: Michael Hasenstab, Templeton Global Bond 2009 Domestic Stock: Bruce Berkowitz, Fairholme International Stock: The team, American Funds EuroPacific Growth A Fixed Income: The team, Loomis Sayles Bond 2008 Domestic Stock: Charlie Dreifus, Royce Special Equity International Stock: David Samra and Daniel O’Keefe, Artisan International Value Fixed Income: Bob Rodriguez and Tom Atteberry, FPA New Income 2007 Domestic Stock: Will Danoff, Fidelity Contrafund and Fidelity Advisor New Insights International Stock: Hakan Castegren and the Northern Cross Team, Harbor International Fixed Income: Bill Gross and Team, PIMCO Total Return and Harbor Bond 2006 Domestic Stock: O. Mason Hawkins and Staley Cates, Longleaf Partners Fund and Longleaf Partners Small Cap International Stock: David Herro, Oakmark International and Oakmark International Small Cap Fixed Income: Jeffrey Gundlach, TCW Total Return Bond 2005 Domestic Stock: Chris Davis and Ken Feinberg, Selected American S International Stock: Rob Lyon, Matt Pickering and Jerrold Senser, ICAP International Fixed Income: Tad Rivelle, David Lippman, Laird Landmann and Stephan Kane Metropolitan West Total Return Bond 2004 Domestic Stock: Brian Berghuis, T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth International Stock: Bryan C. Cameron, Mario C. DiPrisco, Jacob M. Gofman, John A. Gunn, Gregory R. Serrurier, Diana S. Strandberg, and Kouji Yamada, Dodge and Cox International Stock Fixed Income: Ken Leech and team, Western Asset Core Bond 2003 Domestic Stock: Howard Schow, Theo Kolokotrones, Joel Fried, Vanguard Primecap and Vanguard Capital Opportunity International Stock: Bill Fries, Thornburg International Value Fixed Income: Fidelity’s Municipal Bond Fund Team, Fidelity Spartan Municipal Income 2002 Domestic Stock: Joel Tillinghast, Fidelity Low-Priced Stock International Stock: Rudolph-Riad Younes and Richard Pell, Julius Baer International Equity Fixed Income: Management Team, Dodge and Cox Income 2001 Domestic Stock: William C. Nygren, Oakmark Select International Stock: Jean-Marie Eveillard and Charles de Vaulx, First Eagle SoGen Global Fixed Income: Robert L. Rodriguez, FPA New Income 2000 Domestic Stock: Jim Gipson, Doug Grey, Peter Quinn, Michael Sandler, and Bruce Veaco, Clipper Fund International Stock: Christopher Browne, William Browne and John Spears, Tweedy Browne Global Value Fund Fixed Income: Bill Gross, PIMCO Total Return 1999 Domestic Stock: Jim Callinan, RS Emerging Growth International Stock: Europacific Growth Team (Stephen Bepler, Martial Chaillet, Mark Denning, Alwyn Heong, Robert Lovelace, Janet McKinley and Thierry Vandeventer) Fixed Income: Jerry Paul, Invesco High-Yield 1998 Domestic Stock: Bill Miller, Legg Mason Value Trust and Legg Mason Special Investment Trust International Stock: Mark Yockey, Artisan International Fund Fixed Income: Bill Gross and team, PIMCO Total Return, PIMCO Low Duration 1997 Domestic Stock: Mario Gabelli, Gabelli Asset Fund International Stock: Helen Young Hayes, Janus Overseas and Janus Worldwide Fixed Income: David Beldt, Morgan Grenfell Fixed-Income and Morgan Grenfell Municipal Bond *1996 Domestic Stock: Shelby Davis, Davis New York Venture and Selected American Shares Closed-End: Nick Adams, First Financial International Stock: Hakan Castegren, Harbor International and Ivy International Fixed Income: Joe Deane, Smith Barney Managed Municipals and Smith Barney California Municipals *1995 Domestic Stock: Jack Laporte, T. Rowe Price New Horizons International Stock: Jack Mussey, Colonial Newport Tiger Fixed Income: Dan Fuss, Loomis Sales Bond 1994 Bob Rodriguez, FPA Capital and FPA New Income 1993 Jeff Vinik, Fidelity Magellan 1992 Bill Dutton, Skyline Special Equities 1991 Donald Yacktman, Selected American Shares 1990 Martin Whitman, Equity Strategies 1989 Tom Marsico, Janus Twenty 1988 Peter Lynch, Fidelity Magellan 1987 Jerry Palmieri, Franklin Growth See Morningstar Hall of Fame page.
