Mutualfundreform.com

By most measures, the 2008 recession ranks as the worst since the Great Depression.  Not only has it eroded the per capita incomes of entire nations (see  Mutualfundreform.com story posted Jan. 27, 2012)), but it has also taken its toll on future retirees due to reduced Social Security contributions and pension benefits, accompanied by lost incomes.  The combined effect translates into less income and reduced benefits for millions of future retirees.

Today’s news that U.S. economic growth may not exceed 2% this year had an immediate effect on the stock market.  But how long does it take a nation to recover its GDP in a slow growth period? The U.S. economy grew at a less-than-forecast 2.8% in the fourth quarter 2011.  For the full year 2011, the economy expanded 1.7% and consumer spending grew 2.2%, according to U.S. Commerce Department data….

News that the Federal Reserve is considering a new $1 trillion round of quantitative easing is being accompanied by new data showing the ratio between home equity and disposal income is at a historic low.  This unprecedented ratio is all important in a credit society since it demonstrates that expansion possibilities are limited to non-existent if American consumers cannot borrow.

It has been one year since the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) delivered a report to Congress recommending the adoption of a universal fiduciary standard regulation that would apply to retail advisers and brokers. Now it looks like this long-overdue rule will not even be considered during 2012. The average person would think a year is enough time to consider the fiduciary question, especially since the ideas has been floated…

While they will not take effect until April 2012, the first changes from the new DOL disclosures have already emerged, months before the new rules are slated to become effective.

 “The U.S. job market is showing signs of a sustained recovery. But the country’s prolonged struggle with unemployment will leave scars that are likely to remain for years, if not generations.” –Ben Casselman, The Wall Street Journal, Jan. 9, 2012 While the prevailing mantra for the upcoming election is “job creation,” the better long-term goal may be the daunting task of replacing the trillions in lost wealth from the housing…