Fall is open enrollment in the American workplace, and employers will begin to pass out packets, forms, memos, hold meetings and launch apps for the benefits enrollment season. Navigating your benefits package can be overwhelming, and has a direct effect on your long-term savings. Park + Elm wants to help. Below is your quick guide to navigating your benefits booklet from start to finish: Health Insurance - pay close attention to the following variables to [...]

When you retire or change jobs, you have new options for your old 401(k) that can provide continued potential tax-deferred growth opportunities. With a transition of this magnitude, it's helpful to understand the steps in the process and have a checklist for guidance. YOUR TRANSITION CHECKLIST Contact your former HR department and understand your options Consider the pros and cons of those options (See Below) Consult a Financial Advisor and develop a retirement income strategy [...]

Click on the link below for a detailed analysis of quarterly performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. CLICK HERE TO READ THE 3RD QUARTER 2017 - QUARTERLY MARKET REVIEW

“I have found that the importance of having an investment philosophy—one that is robust and that you can stick with— cannot be overstated.” —David Booth The US stock market has delivered an average annual return of around 10% since 1926.[1] But short-term results may vary, and in any given period stock returns can be positive, negative, or flat. When setting expectations, it’s helpful to see the range of outcomes experienced by investors historically. For example, [...]

When you’re laying the foundation for your retirement, the first big step is choosing your deferral rate. When you say it that way, it seems easy. What if I said, “how much of your paycheck will you sacrifice now for your future self?” Your 401(k) contribution rate will set the financial tone for your retirement plan. First let’s start with the factors that go into this determination: Age of the Contributor – younger participants traditionally [...]

Many investors, including retirees, rely on their investment portfolio to fund their cash needs. This need can be approached in one of two ways. In this blog, we explore the yield vs. total return approaches to generating income in a portfolio, and address misconceptions about the benefits of emphasizing dividend and interest income at the expense of other portfolio issues. Using Interest and/or Dividends from securities to fund cash flow needs The traditional appeal to [...]