For nearly 30 years, we've been referring to the guideline that taking 4% from your portfolio may be the most optimal amount to keep you from running out of money over an average retirement.

Is this so-called "4% Rule" still valid in a time of high stock values and low interest rates?  Or should it be revised higher -- or lower? -- to reflect more realistic scenarios?  Chris Panagiotu,  CFP® asked the creator of that rule, Bill Bengen, what his thoughts are on that rule, as well as what he thinks economic recessions and market recovery times will do to people's retirement portfolios, in this week's episode of CAPitalize: A Podcast for Intelligent Investors!

You may have heard that annuities are the greatest thing in finance.  Or maybe you've heard that annuities aren't right for anyone at all.  The truth, though, lies somewhere in the middle: Annuities may be completely suitable for one individual, while another should never consider owning one.

In today's interview, Christoper Panagiotu, CFP® talks about the good and bad of annuities, and brings up the question of whether life insurance is actually needed -- or not -- in part 2 of our interview with David Lau, founder and CEO of DPL Financial Partners.

Tune in and enjoy!

For many retirees, it's all about the income.  In fact, that's true for almost everyone who's either retired, or looking to retire in the near future.  How do you supply yourself with enough income to last the rest of your life?

On this week's podcast, host Christopher Panagiotu, CFP® speaks with David Lau, founder and Chief Executive Officer of DPL financial Partners about the challenges of creating lasting, stable income during an era of low interest rates.  How do you manage when rates today are less than half of what they were just 20 or 25 years ago?

Find out more on today's episode of CAPitalize, the podcast for the intelligent investor!

In this week's episode of CAPitalize, host Christopher A. Panagiotu, CFP®, CRPS®,    continues his interview with Colin Slabach, assistant professor and assistant director of the New York Life Center for Retirement Income at the American College of Financial Services.

What does it take to retire early?  Is that even possible?  And what can everyone learn from women when it comes to finance and investing?  

This - and much more - on today's episode of CAPitalize, the podcast for the intelligent investor!

Part 1 of our interview with Colin Slabach, assistant professor of retirement.  Today's topics are many and varied:

Bitcoin - what are the red flags when considering an investment in Bitcoin, and in cryptocurrency in general?

Bias in investing - Recency Bias and Confirmation Bias are everywhere.  What does this mean in the world of investing?

Millennials and money - what the younger set of investors should consider for their future.

All that, and much more, on today's episode of CAPitalize, the podcast for the intelligent investor!

What's the most important piece of advice for those that want financial success?  As we continue the interview with Craig Israelsen, founder of the “Seven-12 portfolio," our own Christopher Panagiotu, CFP®, CRPS® talks about what Craig would say to those who have a vested interest in achieving their own financial goals.  What is low correlation?  Why is it valuable?  

Educating you on the important topics of the day - and more - on this week's edition of CAPitalize, the podcast for the intelligent investor!

What are the best steps for people to take to learn how to invest?  And - do you like salsa?  If so, this episode is for you!

In finance, as in many other fields, knowledge is power.  And when you’re speaking with someone in academics, it’s an almost sure bet that you’re going to get answers to questions you have, while at the same time learning some valuable lessons.  In this episode of CAPitalize, Christopher Panagiotu, CFP®, CRPS®,  speaks with Professor Craig Israelsen, founder of the “Seven-12 portfolio".    We answer questions that need to be asked, including what the difference is between an Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) and a stock.    

Get all the details on this edition of CAPitalize, the podcast for the intelligent investor!

Is asset allocation as a strategy a good idea, or is it an exercise in futility?  What about annuities?

Christopher Panagiotu, CFP®, CRPS®, continues his interview with Michael Edesess, Chief Investment Strategist with Compendium Finance. This section gets even deeper into the topic of diversification, as well as Warren Buffett’s style of investing, and Michael’s opinions on both asset allocation and whether annuities could be a good idea to include in someone’s portfolio.

Does rebalancing one’s portfolio actually reduce risk?  Is there any value in benchmarking investments?

Financial advisor Christopher Panagiotu, CFP®, CRPS®,  speaks with Michael Edesess, Chief Investment Strategist of Compendium Finance about the idea of rebalancing, and why it may not be everything that people in the financial services industry often say it is. They also discuss Michael’s views on buy-and-hold investing, passive investing, whether diversification makes sense these days, as well as his opinion on just how risky stocks actually are.

Do you really spend more in retirement as time goes on?  What should your asset allocation look like before and after you retire? 

We continue our interview with Dr. Wade Pfau, Ph.D., CFA, RICP®, following up on our previous discussion.  Today, host Chris Panagiotu,  CFP®, CRPS®, will speak with Dr. Pfau about the conventional planning  perspective regarding retirement spending, and whether or not retirees tend to spend more - or less - as they get older. The answer may surprise you.  Find out more on Part Two of this edition of CAPitalize, a podcast for the intelligent investor!