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About a week ago, I blogged that "Total Return is Everything" in 10 Things I Believe About Saving and Investment and that folks need to be aware of the risks embedded in so-called conservative investments. We got the perfect illustration of that Friday in the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (trading symbol: XLU). XLU has one of the higher 12-month dividend yields at 3.27% (source: Morningstar) yet it lost 3.75% on Friday alone. One day's loss in fund value swallowed an entire year of dividends.

Retiree incomes are falling short in 47 states…at least that’s the conclusion of a new Bankrate study. But with America’s general lack of retirement preparedness, that probably comes as no surprise, right? Bankrate analyzed the US Census Bureau’s most recent American Community Survey by comparing household income of folks age 65+ with incomes of those age 45-64. Most financial advisors believe you need at least 70% of your pre-retirement income in retirement (see my comments below) so Bankrate benchmarked the Census Bureau results against that. Here are the highest and lowest replacement percentages, Oregon and Washington, and the national average (full table here):

Question: Are there any good alternatives to cushion the blow of lost Social Security for married couples? Larry's answer: Yeah, Congress snuck up on us with that...and then set a land speed record passing the legislation.

Pleased to have a small contribution in Kelsey Sheehy's June 6, 2015 article in USA Today:

Question: I am 70 Years Old. I Have $180,000 to Invest from an IRA. How Much Will I Have to Take Out at 70 1/2?