Mutualfundreform.com

Note: This article was originally published in July 2010.  Investors are still waiting for a decision. After decades of wrangling, false starts, and back room intrigues, it looks like the SEC is finally addressing the long-over due, critical issue of mutual fund fees. Today, these fees charged to fund shareholders amount to $12 billion, according to the SEC. Yet, despite this huge amount, shareholders have no idea what they are…

Investors who are disgruntled with erratic returns from stocks and are searching for yield are increasingly moving into Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). Once considered esoteric and limited to sophisticated investors, MLPs are publicly-traded on the NYSE and NASDAQ. They offer yields in the form of quarterly distributions, which are similar to stock dividends, as well as tax-deferrals on a majority of the income they generate.  As a result, these investments…

The struggle for financial reform became more interesting this week as an association representing financial planners accused an insurance industry lobbying organization of trying to kill the adoption of a fiduciary standard for individual investors. In a petition signed by thousands of financial planners, the Financial Planning Coalition said the insurance industry wants to kill the proposal to adopt a single fiduciary standard for financial professionals who deal with the…

A new study examining the income sources for Americans over age 65 shows more people are relying on Social Security for their retirement income, while income from jobs has remained consistent since 1962, according to a new study by the Social Security Administration. The study found that 38% of Americans over age 65 in 2009 claimed Social Security as their largest income source.  This was an increase from 30% in…