Half of Americans Won’t Be Able to Afford Their Standard of Living in Retirement: Here’s What You Can Do | SmartAsset.com
Close thin
Facebook
Twitter
Google plus
Linked in
Reddit
Email
arrow-right-sm
arrow-right
Tap on the profile icon to edit your financial details.
Will you have to downsize in your retirement?
Many families plan to adjust their lifestyles in retirement. They swap the family house, say, for a smaller home. Or they move to a less expensive community. When this is a choice, it can be an excellent way to slow down and stretch the value of your portfolio.
Unfortunately, for many households, downsizing won’t just be an option. It will be a necessity.
That’s the result of a recent study published by Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research. The CRR researches the many different financial and lifestyle issues that surround modern retirement and publishes a statistic called the National Retirement Risk Index. This index measures how many households have less in retirement savings than they will need in the years ahead.
For hands-on help planning your retirement, consider matching for free with a vetted financial advisor.
What the CRR Study Says
The CRR’s findings are stark. Fully half of the nation’s working-age households will not have enough money to maintain their standard of living once in retirement. Making matters worse, this study assumes a strong working and saving life in which people work until age 65 and annuitize their assets, and even accounts for Social Security income.
Instead, according to the CRR’s findings, millions of households will have to cut back on both luxuries and necessities in order to survive. The specifics will range based on the needs of any given individual. In some cases, retirees won’t be able to enjoy some of the same things that made them happy in their working years. They might have to go out for dinner less often, for example, or they may no longer be able to travel.
For other people the situation will get more dire. In order to survive, retirees will have to sell valued assets like a family home or may have to skip necessities like food and medication.
The National Retirement Risk Index is based on the concept of income replacement. Essentially, how effectively can the proceeds of a retirement portfolio replace working income? It isn’t a one-to-one relationship, because, once retired, most households need less money to maintain the same standard of living on a day-to-day basis. You no longer have to save for retirement, for example. You typically pay less in taxes, no longer have dependents to support, have paid off the mortgage on your house and in general have fewer costs. For many households, the rule of thumb is that your retirement portfolio needs to replace 80% of your working income in order to maintain the same standard of living.
Yet half of all households will fall short of even that 80% mark by at least 10 points, the level at which the NRRI considers a household “at risk.”
Underprepared For Retirement – A Wider Trend
This is the latest survey to emphasize what financial experts have been warning of for years: There is a retirement crisis brewing in America.
Around the late 1970s and the early 1980s, the economy shifted from what is called “defined benefit” retirement planning to “defined contribution.” Instead of receiving a guaranteed pension from their employers, most workers were enrolled in the now-common 401(k) plans. This has system has struggled to keep up with workers’ needs, however, and in the decades since there has been a growing concern that households simply have not been able to save up the money they will need to pay for retirement.
The National Retirement Risk Index has found this consistently to be the case. Since 2004, it has found that about half of households surveyed do not have the money they will need to maintain their standard of living in retirement.
Previously, older generations were less at risk, as in 2004 many older households still reflected the more generous retirement plans and pay scales of a previous era. In the most recent publication, however, that difference has been erased. Now the NRRI finds equal risk across all age groups. The center has also found this broadly true across most income groups as well. Even across high-income households (defined as $85,000/$248,000 or more for single/married households), 41% of all households surveyed fall below their own replacement level of savings.
As to what policymakers can do to address this crisis, there are many proposed solutions. Yet arguably two of the biggest issues when it comes to addressing retirement shortfalls are time and money.
From the perspective of time, effective solutions will differ across various households. Policymakers may be able to help younger households through a series of employer- and tax-based options, helping people to get more income and to save up more in their retirement accounts during their working lives. This can be an effective solution for someone who has decades of growth left ahead of them. However this problem is equally stark for households that are just a few years away from retirement, and they likely do not have the time to catch up through savings and investment. Households approaching retirement are likely to founder without a simple plan to get them more money.
Which is the other problem. Ultimately, the retirement crisis is about money. Households need more of it, and it will have to come from somewhere. Whether the government spends this money directly through Social Security overhauls or whether an employer does so by reintroducing pensions or boosting benefits and pay, this comes down to somebody, somewhere cutting a check. Finding those funds remains one of the biggest problems when it comes to solving the retirement crisis.
That solution needs to come soon, however, because the Boston College findings are quite clear. For millions of Americans, retirement will not be something to look forward to. It will be an era of struggle and want.
But this does not have to be your own experience.
Saving for retirement is a massive project that should last for your entire career. Ideally, you can begin setting aside money as early as possible. Even just a small amount of savings in your 20s can add up to a significant nest egg by the time you reach your 60’s. If you have children, you can do the same for them. Making modest contributions to a portfolio that can grow over 60 years will be one of the best ways you can help young children get a head start on life. But no matter what age you’re at, it’s never too soon or too late to start.
Beyond that, the rule of thumb is 10%. Whenever possible, set aside 10% of your salary into retirement savings. If you have an employer with a matching 401(k), maximize that, followed by Roth IRA and Roth 401(k) accounts.
Don’t just rely on rules of thumb though. Use tools like our retirement calculator to reverse engineer your savings plan. Start with a sense of how much money you will need in retirement, then work backwards to figure out how much you should be contributing in order to reach that goal. Even if the numbers are large, it’s better to have a clear plan than a best-guess approach.
Finally, if you do need to change your standard of living in retirement, begin planning for that early. Again, by understanding what you can contribute and how that can grow over time, you will have a sense of what’s possible from your retirement account. Make your plans from there. That will give you a degree of control over how you have to change your lifestyle, so that you’re making cuts that you’re comfortable with instead of scrambling to meet your needs as they arise.
Bottom Line
The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College released its latest National Retirement Risk Index, and its findings are grim. Fully half of all Americans will need to cut their standard of living in order to ever retire.
Retirement Tips
You’ve worked. You’ve saved. You have a portfolio that’s humming along. So, with all of that going for you, how can you know when you’re ready to retire?
But the best way to know how your retirement plan is to get professional help. A financial advisor can help you save and plan for retirement. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Eric Reed
Eric Reed is a freelance journalist who specializes in economics, policy and global issues, with substantial coverage of finance and personal finance. He has contributed to outlets including The Street, CNBC, Glassdoor and Consumer Reports. Eric’s work focuses on the human impact of abstract issues, emphasizing analytical journalism that helps readers more fully understand their world and their money. He has reported from more than a dozen countries, with datelines that include Sao Paolo, Brazil; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; and Athens, Greece. A former attorney, before becoming a journalist Eric worked in securities litigation and white collar criminal defense with a pro bono specialty in human trafficking issues. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and can be found any given Saturday in the fall cheering on his Wolverines.
The thought of investing–and doing it successfully–can be a daunting task. This is especially true if you’re a beginner investor. However, if you’re willing to take advantage of the information on the best investment sites, you’ll have a wealth of investment knowledge right at your fingertips.
The top investment sites for stock news, research, and analysis can be great tools for keeping you up to date on the latest financial and economic news. As you learn more from each site, you’ll have more knowledge with which to plan your own personal investment strategy.
Of course, they’re just opinions, but they are educated opinions. Whether you’re a beginner investor or a seasoned investor, these sites have information you should check out.
Our Top Picks For Investment Sites
Motley Fool – Great For Beginner Investor & Get $100 off
Morningstar – Great For DIY Investors & 14 Day Free Trial
Market Watch – Great For Up to Date Investment News
In This Article
What Are the Top Investment Sites?
Even the best investment sites aren’t guaranteed to pick stock winners and losers. However, the people who are hired to write on the sites typically have a wealth of experience and education behind them.
There are a few investment sites that people “in the know” use when they want information about companies and other economic news. Here are some of our favorite investment sites for garnering important economic information.
Here’s a list of some of our favorite investment sites for learning what you need to know about investing and company financial information.
1 .Motley Fool Stock Advisor
Motley Fool was founded in 1993 by David and Tom Gardner, brothers. Their goal? “Make the world smarter, happier, and richer.” Sounds good to me.
The Motley Fool brothers are big believers in buying stock in great companies and holding onto it. Their site has a great section on investing for beginners.
It also shares a wealth of information on the stock market, on investing for retirement and more. The site even shares personal finance information such as where to find the best checking accounts and credit cards.
Personally, I find the site very well put together and easy to use too. I’d happily use this site (and do) whether I was just starting out as an investor or knew most everything I thought I needed to know.
Motley Fool Stock Advisor: Join for just $99 a year!
Best for: Those looking for comprehensive information on individual stock purchases
2. Morningstar
Morningstar’s tagline is “Empowering investor success.” The site stays true to its investment philosophy of putting investors first. That means they won’t give you investment advice based off of an affiliate relationship.
Instead, they share what they believe to be the best guidance for investors. Morningstar is probably best known for the ratings it publishes on varying investments.
If you want access to Morningstar ratings and detailed investment analysis, you’ll have to sign up for their premium account, which costs $199 per year. However, the site does have an endless number of free informational articles talking about all things investment-related.
Best for: Both beginner and seasoned investors who want detailed information
3. MarketWatch
MarketWatch is another top-rated investment site. It’s a good site for keeping up to day with the latest investment and economic information.
The site shares global information for most all stock markets, commodities markets, forex markets and more. The Moneyist (the Dear Abby of personal finance and investing) is a personal favorite for me.
He answers questions ranging from “Do I have enough to retire?” to “My brother won’t give me my share of our father’s inheritance. What do I do?” and more.
You can also find personal finance information on the site. MarketWatch is full of useful information, easy on the eyes and a pleasing website to navigate.
The site also shares valuable news articles from around the web, whether it be auto reviews or best retirement spots.
Best for: Anyone who wants to find up-to-date investment and other financial information quickly and easily.
4. Barron’s
Barron’s is an investment site for the serious investor. This site is formatted most like the newspapers of old. Clear and concise, Barron’s shares market information along with its favorite current stock picks.
The site’s e-magazine contains articles about popular publicly traded companies’ ups and downs. And the site’s e-advisor keeps you up to date on it’s favorite investment moves.
The articles and information are written smartly and simply. However, they assume you’ve got a solid basic understanding on investing and economics as a whole. While Barron’s is a phenomenal site for seasoned investors, beginner investors might want to stick with one of the other sites mentioned here.
Best for: The seasoned investor who wants a wide span of information on current economics and company performance.
5. Wall Street Journal
I clearly remember seeing my grandfather and his friends perusing over the Wall Street Journal in the early 90’s as they shared breakfast together at the local greasy spoon.
My family and I would eat there on occasion, but we never interrupted the group other than to say “hi” to grandpa and give him a quick hug. Yep, this group of wealthy men would never spend more than $10 for breakfast, but they all had the money to buy the cafe’ if it ever went up for sale.
Thank you, Wall Street Journal. For as long as I can remember, the Wall Street Journal has been the go-to source for those seeking investment advice. It’s changed with the times but still stayed the same, keeping its “real” paper but managing a well-put-together website too.
Wall Street Journal covers everything regarding economic markets in the U.S. and the world. And it tosses in some articles on politics, tech, and current events as well.
The online website headlines are free, but if you want complete information you’ll have to pay for the digital editions, print editions, or both. The good news is that WSJ is affordable at no more than $20 per month. Therefore, we love it as one of the best investment sites.
Best for: Investors that want to get the scoop on the markets and the rest of the world’s happenings, as well as those craving that great feeling of holding a printed newspaper in their hands.
6. Zacks
Zacks is an investment website that’s committed to independent research analysis. The Zacks “About” page says their strategy has beat the S&P market by quite a length (over double) for the past 25+ years.
Of course, past performance is not a guaranteed indicator of future results, but it sure does tell you a thing or two. Namely that the group at Zacks knows their stuff when it comes to investing.
While the site provides a wealth (no pun intended) of free information, you’ll have to pay to get the inside scoop on the Zacks investment strategy. That includes the Zacks #1 rank list of 220 of the best stocks.
They offer a 30-day free trial. After that, you’ll pay $249 a year to continue getting access to Zacks’ investment secrets.
Bonus: Zacks links to the best articles from popular sites such as MarketWatch too.
Best for: The serious investor who’s willing to take the time to learn about in-depth investing.
7. Seeking Alpha
Seeking Alpha does a great job of delving deeper into the “whys” behind investing in a particular stock or fund. While this is a terrific feature for experienced investors, beginner investors may find the information a bit lofty.
Seeking Alpha is part investment news source and part investing community. Articles are written by investor members and then rigorously scrutinized to ensure accurate information.
With over 7,000 members, there’s no shortage of investing information and opinions. The site is great for those who want to do some in-depth research on markets, stocks, and investments.
The Basic Seeking Alpha site is free. However, the site also offers a Premium membership for $240 annually and a Pro membership for roughly $2400 annually.
Think of the Premium membership as a self-directed site and the Pro membership as a full-service site. See the website for more detailed information on what you get with the upgraded memberships.
Best for: Intermediate and advanced investors looking for community support and advice
8. The Financial Times
The Financial Times (or FT as it’s often called) focuses primarily on stocks, funds, and stock news. But you’ll also find tech information, personal finance articles, and more. In-depth information on company performance rounds out the offerings.
The site has a nice collection of charts and graphics too. There are some free articles on Financial Times, but as with Wall Street Journal you’ll have to pay if you want full access.
Like Zacks, Financial Times is a bit on the spendy side if you’re not used to paying for investment information. Digital access is $39.50 per month or $369.20 per year. The print access subscription includes digital access and costs $199 per year.
You can pay $1 and get a 4-week trial if you’d like to sample Financial Times. And there are other subscription options as well.
Best for: Investors looking for a melting pot of investment and economic news, information, and opinion
9. CNBC
CNBC is a popular news channel with a focus on investment and economic news. While you can get CNBC regularly with many paid TV subscriptions, you can also access the company’s many articles for free on their website.
Current market numbers are conveniently displayed throughout the site. And you’ll find articles on investing, technology, business, politics, and more.
Under the “Investing” tab, you’ll find “Invest in You” and “Personal Finance” sections that have a wealth of articles aimed at making personal finance more, well, personal. These sections show you how to put the site’s advice into action and better your personal money situation.
If you want access to CNBC’s “PRO” content, however, you’ll have to buy a subscription. CNBC PRO gives you access to live programming, exclusive video series, and more.
It costs $29.99 per month to subscribe to CNBC PRO, or you can pay $299.00 annually. There is a 7-day trial period you can use to check it out.
Best for: those wanting a quick glance at the world’s most up-to-date economic information
10. Kiplinger
Kiplinger was started in the 1920’s by a former AP economic reporter. The Kiplinger Letter, the company’s weekly economic publication, is considered the most widely read business forecasting publication in the world, according to the Kiplinger website.
Kiplinger also has a monthly magazine. The Kiplinger website gives access to The Kiplinger Letter if you’re a member. You can find a wealth of free information on the site, including investment information. The site also shares informational articles on:
Retirement
Taxes
Wealth creation
Personal finance
And more. However, if you want the goodies like the print magazine and/or complete access to all website information, you’ll have to subscribe.
As of this writing, you can get access to print subscriptions, digital access, or both for $29.95 for 12 months or $39.90 for 24 months. But I think you might find it well worth the price.
One thing I really like about the Kiplinger site is that many of the articles are written in a way even the most beginner personal finance/investment aficionado can understand. The site has a great mix of both beginner and experienced investor articles and information.
Best for: Beginner and experienced investors who want print news and digital news
11. Stock Rover
Stock Rover makes our list of best investment sites because of its mission to help all levels of investors make informed decisions. The Stock Rover website works to provide affordable, comprehensive research to help investors learn before they invest.
The site can help you compare companies or investments, research reports, and manage your portfolio. Stock Rover’s blog includes investing articles, stock research articles, and other valuable information.
For instance, you can learn how to build a better stock portfolio. Of course, these features don’t come for free–at least not all of them. Stock Rover has four plans you can choose from, one of which is free.
While the “free” plan does provide a lot of information and articles, the paid plans provide other valuable tools. The Essentials, Premium, and Premium Plus plans range in price from $7.99 per month to $27.99 per month.
Watchlists, screens, and the number of portfolios you can manage go up with each plan. You can get additional information via other subscriptions on Stock Rover too, such as research reports plans and bundles.
Best for: People who want more of a personal touch as they invest
12. AAII
AAII, or the American Association of Individual Investors, is a non-profit organization aimed at helping people learn about investing and grow their investment portfolios. They’ve been in business for over 40 years.
The organization uses education, information, and research to help members learn about investing and manage their investments. Along with the AAII website, you may have a local chapter that meets in person in your area.
AAII has two membership options. The Basic membership is $1 for the first 30 days and then $3.25 a month going forward. You get access to the AAII market-beating portfolio, investor guides, and other information.
The Plus membership is $2 for the first 30 days and then $15.67 per month going forward. It includes additional benefits such as stock and fund evaluators and graders, and detailed portfolio analysis and alerts.
Both membership options include free access to the local chapters of AAII. In addition, you get access to the award-winning AAII Journal in digital format, print format, or both.
Best for: Those looking for investment guidance with a heart
13. Yahoo Finance
Yahoo Finance, albeit basic, is a good at-a-glance option for investment information. The site shares market numbers along with investment and economic news articles from around the web.
You’ll find links to articles from Reuters, MarketWatch, Investopedia and other well known sites. Yahoo Finance also has their own penned articles on the site. It’s a good one stop shop for economic news.
Best for: Those wanting access to current investment and economic news from a variety of sources
14. Investopedia
Last but certainly not least, we like Investopedia as one of the best investment sites for investment news. What started out as sort of a Wikipedia with a money/investing focus has morphed into a great resource for investing and economic news and information.
Along with current investment news, you can check out Investopedia’s stock simulator. And Investopedia Academy features paid online courses to help you learn everything you want to learn about investing.
The articles cover every type of investor from the beginner to the day trader. And while the courses do cost money, most of the basic information on Investopedia is free.
Best for: Those interested in an education-based investment site
Summary
With the plush selection of the best investment sites out there, there’s no reason you can’t stay up to date on current investment news. And there’s no reason that even the most beginner of investors can’t learn how to invest smartly and successfully.
There are investment sites out there for the knowledge levels and learning preferences of just about everyone on earth.
Laurie is personal finance writer and a licensed Realtor. Her goal in blogging is to help others find their way to financial freedom, and to a simpler, more peaceful life.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
[embedded content]
Shortly after graduating from New York University with a Master’s degree, Melanie Lockert turned to food stamps, as she worked her way out of $81,000 in student loans.
“There were a lot of emotions around carrying that debt. It caused a lot of stress and depression and anxiety for a long time,” she shared with me recently during an interview on my podcast.
The student loan crisis in America has reached epidemic proportions. With households across the country carrying $1.26 trillion in student loans, it is the second largest category of debt following mortgage debt.
For the class of 2016, the average student loan balance is $37,172, up six percent from the previous year, according to a new analysis by student loan expert Mark Kantrowitz published in the Wall Street Journal.
If you’re struggling to make ends meet due to student loans or wondering how you’ll ever pay off the debt in a timely manner, here are some key steps to support you along the way.
Never Pay Late. Ever.
Whoever likes to call student loans “good debt,” has probably never faced a late payment. “Falling behind on payments can cause federal loans to enter default, triggering expensive fees and collections,” says Heather Jarvis, attorney and student loan expert.
If you miss several payments and are in default, federal loan borrowers may also seize your wages, tax refunds and possibly social security benefits. And you can only imagine how all this can damage your credit score. (Keep reading for advice on what to do if you’re already in default.)
To avoid ever paying late, sign up for automatic payments with your lender. Doing so could also earn you a reduced interest rate (usually 0.25%), which could save you hundreds of dollars, maybe more, over the life of your loan.
Extend the Term
Speaking of your loan’s life, extending the term from 10 to 15 or 20 years could provide you with some payment relief since when you extend the term, your monthly payments decrease.
Bear in mind that since your interest rate remains the same this strategy may mean you’ll end up paying more to pay off the loan over time.
One way to avoid paying too much more interest is to take advantage of the smaller monthly payments for only a window of time. As soon as your finances strengthen place more than the monthly minimum towards your balance to help you get out of debt closer to your original term. Be sure to place extra payments directly towards the principal to knock down the debt even faster.
Tap Government Assistance
If you have federal student loans you may qualify for Income-Based Repayment (IBR), a government program that helps qualifying borrowers cap loan payments to a percentage of income, typically 10% of their income. The program will also forgive any remaining student loan debt after 20 or 25 years of making payments.
The Department of Education also has a program called Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). If you work full-time for a “public service” employer such as not-for-profits, AmeriCorps or PeaceCorps, the military or a government agency, PLSF may forgive your remaining federal loan debt after 10 years of employment.
If You’re Already Behind…You Have Options
If you’re in default, Jay Fleischman, a student loan and bankruptcy attorney, says you may be able to consolidate your loans under the U.S. Department of Education’s Direct Consolidation Loan Program, which is free and does not depend on creditworthiness. “You could also rehabilitate by making nine agreed-upon monthly payments over a 10-month period of time with the collector assigned to the account. Those payments may be adjusted based on your income, and payments can be as low as $5 per month,” he says.
For private student loan borrowers, “the situation is markedly different because there is no right to consolidate or rehabilitate unless the lender has a specific program to do so,” says Fleischman. Contact your loan servicer and learn about ways you may be able to reduce or eliminate payments until you get back on your feet, he says.
If your lender won’t budge, you may choose to remain in default until a settlement opportunity presents itself or until the statute of limitations for collection expires. As a last resort, you may also consider bankruptcy as a way to wipe out other debts and repay your student loans under court supervision. “Though bankruptcy may not wipe out your student loans except in limited circumstances, many people opt for bankruptcy as a way to get more control over the ways in which your loans get paid,” says Fleischman.
Tap Home Equity…With Caution
Homeowners may be eligible to use a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to pay off their remaining student loan balance. This allows them to pay off the student loan with the existing equity in their home and save money if the HELOC has a lower interest rate than the student loan.
There’s also a new program offered by online lender SoFi called the Student Loan Payoff ReFi that allows some homeowners to pay down student debt using their home’s equity. SoFi refinances the total amount of your student loans and existing mortgage at a lower rate. Through that process your student loan balance is paid off directly to the loan provider.
To qualify, SoFi says borrowers need healthy credit scores (check your free credit score to verify you qualify), a debt-to-income ratio that’s 45% or less (calculate debt-to-income ratio to see if you fall under this number) and a loan-to-value ratio that’s 80% or less (meaning you can’t be underwater on your mortgage). You can calculate your debt-to-income ratio with Turbo, and
Just keep in mind that when paying off your student loans with home equity – be it through SoFi or another lender – if you default on the consolidated loan the lender has the right to use your home as collateral and foreclose on the property. It’s a serious risk if you don’t have enough in savings or stable income to help you get by during tough times.
Remember to Deduct It
Student loans are no fun, but paying them can yield lower taxes. Each year the IRS lets borrowers deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest from their taxable income.
Maybe Your Employer Can Help?
A growing number of companies are helping employees squash their student loans as an added perk like a 401(k) and health care.
Gradifi is a Boston-based start-up that’s working with over 200 employers to set up its student loan pay down plan, including PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
It’s a trend that’s likely to grow over the years with more than 50 percent of student loan borrowers saying they would rather receive student loan benefits than heath care from their employer.
Start a Side Hustle
While it’s important to cut back on spending to make room for paying down debt, that move alone isn’t always enough. “Pinching pennies and cutting back is really useful as an initial strategy, but at some point, there’s only so much you can cut back,” says Lockert, whose now chronicled her debt payoff strategies in the book Dear Debt: A Story About Breaking Up With Debt. Through a series of side hustles over the years, including housecleaning, event assisting and pet sitting, earning $10 to $50 per hour, Lockert managed to not only afford her living expenses, but also erase five figures worth of student loan debt.
Depending on your interests, you can find relatively easy gigs at sites like TaskRabbit, Tutor.com, GigWalk and Care.com.
Have a question for Farnoosh? You can submit your questions via Twitter @Farnoosh, Facebook or email at [email protected] (please note “Mint Blog” in the subject line).
Farnoosh Torabi is America’s leading personal finance authority hooked on helping Americans live their richest, happiest lives. From her early days reporting for Money Magazine to now hosting a primetime series on CNBC and writing monthly for O, The Oprah Magazine, she’s become our favorite go-to money expert and friend.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Previous Post
4 Questions You Should Ask Before Deciding on Graduate School
Next Post
7 Things College Students Should Know About Credit
Browse Related Articles
Financial Planning
What New Student Loan Repayment Options Mean
Financial Planning
The Great Student Loan Debate: Part 2
Financial Planning
The Student Loan Over/Under: A Visual Guide to How Much…
In Best Low-Risk Investments for 2023, I provided a comprehensive list of low-risk investments with predictable returns. But it’s precisely because those returns are low-risk that they also provide relatively low returns.
In this article, we’re going to look at high-yield investments, many of which involve a higher degree of risk but are also likely to provide higher returns.
True enough, low-risk investments are the right investment solution for anyone who’s looking to preserve capital and still earn some income.
But if you’re more interested in the income side of an investment, accepting a bit of risk can produce significantly higher returns. And at the same time, these investments will generally be less risky than growth stocks and other high-risk/high-reward investments.
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
Determine How Much Risk You’re Willing to Take On
The risk we’re talking about with these high-yield investments is the potential for you to lose money. As is true when investing in any asset, you need to begin by determining how much you’re willing to risk in the pursuit of higher returns.
Chasing “high-yield returns” will make you broke if you don’t have clear financial goals you’re working towards.
I’m going to present a large number of high-yield investments, each with its own degree of risk. The purpose is to help you evaluate the risk/reward potential of these investments when selecting the ones that will be right for you.
If you’re looking for investments that are completely safe, you should favor one or more of the highly liquid, low-yield vehicles covered in Best Low-Risk Investments for 2023. In this article, we’re going to be going for something a little bit different. As such, please note that this is not in any way a blanket recommendation of any particular investment.
Best High-Yield Investments for 2023
Table of Contents
Below is my list of the 18 best high-yield investments for 2023. They’re not ranked or listed in order of importance. That’s because each is a unique investment class that you will need to carefully evaluate for suitability within your own portfolio.
Be sure that any investment you do choose will be likely to provide the return you expect at an acceptable risk level for your own personal risk tolerance.
1. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS)
Let’s start with this one, if only because it’s on just about every list of high-yield investments, especially in the current environment of rising inflation. It may not actually be the best high-yield investment, but it does have its virtues and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Basically, TIPS are securities issued by the U.S. Treasury that are designed to accommodate inflation. They do pay regular interest, though it’s typically lower than the rate paid on ordinary Treasury securities of similar terms. The bonds are available with a minimum investment of $100, in terms of five, 10, and 30 years. And since they’re fully backed by the U.S. government, you are assured of receiving the full principal value if you hold a security until maturity.
But the real benefit—and the primary advantage—of these securities is the inflation principal additions. Each year, the Treasury will add an amount to the bond principal that’s commensurate with changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Fortunately, while the principal will be added when the CPI rises (as it nearly always does), none will be deducted if the index goes negative.
You can purchase TIPS through the U.S. Treasury’s investment portal, Treasury Direct. You can also hold the securities as well as redeem them on the same platform. There are no commissions or fees when buying securities.
On the downside, TIPS are purely a play on inflation since the base rates are fairly low. And while the principal additions will keep you even with inflation, you should know that they are taxable in the year received.
Still, TIPS are an excellent low-risk, high-yield investment during times of rising inflation—like now.
2. I Bonds
If you’re looking for a true low-risk, high-yield investment, look no further than Series I bonds. With the current surge in inflation, these bonds have become incredibly popular, though they are limited.
I bonds are currently paying 6.89%. They can be purchased electronically in denominations as little as $25. However, you are limited to purchasing no more than $10,000 in I bonds per calendar year. Since they are issued by the U.S. Treasury, they’re fully protected by the U.S. government. You can purchase them through the Treasury Department’s investment portal, TreasuryDirect.gov.
“The cash in my savings account is on fire,” groans Scott Lieberman, Founder of Touchdown Money. “Inflation has my money in flames, each month incinerating more and more. To defend against this, I purchased an I bond. When I decide to get my money back, the I bond will have been protected against inflation by being worth more than what I bought it for. I highly recommend getting yourself a super safe Series I bond with money you can stash away for at least one year.”
You may not be able to put your entire bond portfolio into Series I bonds. But just a small investment, at nearly 10%, can increase the overall return on your bond allocation.
3. Corporate Bonds
The average rate of return on a bank savings account is 0.33%. The average rate on a money market account is 0.09%, and 0.25% on a 12-month CD.
Now, there are some banks paying higher rates, but generally only in the 1%-plus range.
If you want higher returns on your fixed income portfolio, and you’re willing to accept a moderate level of risk, you can invest in corporate bonds. Not only do they pay higher rates than banks, but you can lock in those higher rates for many years.
For example, the average current yield on a AAA-rated corporate bond is 4.55%. Now that’s the rate for AAA bonds, which are the highest-rated securities. You can get even higher rates on bonds with lower ratings, which we will cover in the next section.
Corporate bonds sell in face amounts of $1,000, though the price may be higher or lower depending on where interest rates are. If you choose to buy individual corporate bonds, expect to buy them in lots of ten. That means you’ll likely need to invest $10,000 in a single issue. Brokers will typically charge a small per-bond fee on purchase and sale.
An alternative may be to take advantage of corporate bond funds. That will give you an opportunity to invest in a portfolio of bonds for as little as the price of one share of an ETF. And because they are ETFs, they can usually be bought and sold commission free.
You can typically purchase corporate bonds and bond funds through popular stock brokers, like Zacks Trade, TD Ameritrade.
Corporate Bond Risk
Be aware that the value of corporate bonds, particularly those with maturities greater than 10 years, can fall if interest rates rise. Conversely, the value of the bonds can rise if interest rates fall.
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
4. High-Yield Bonds
In the previous section we talked about how interest rates on corporate bonds vary based on each bond issue’s rating. A AAA bond, being the safest, has the lowest yield. But a riskier bond, such as one rated BBB, will provide a higher rate of return.
If you’re looking to earn higher interest than you can with investment-grade corporate bonds, you can get those returns with so-called high-yield bonds. Because they have a lower rating, they pay higher interest, sometimes much higher.
The average yield on high-yield bonds is 8.29%. But that’s just an average. The yield on a bond rated B will be higher than one rated BB.
You should also be aware that, in addition to potential market value declines due to rising interest rates, high-yield bonds are more likely to default than investment-grade bonds. That’s why they pay higher interest rates. (They used to call these bonds “junk bonds,” but that kind of description is a marketing disaster.) Because of those twin risks, junk bonds should occupy only a small corner of your fixed-income portfolio.
High Yield Bond Risk
In a rapidly rising interest rate environment, high-yield bonds are more likely to default.
High-yield bonds can be purchased under similar terms and in the same places where you can trade corporate bonds. There are also ETFs that specialize in high-yield bonds and will be a better choice for most investors, since they will include diversification across many different bond issues.
5. Municipal Bonds
Just as corporations and the U.S. Treasury issue bonds, so do state and local governments. These are referred to as municipal bonds. They work much like other bond types, particularly corporates. They can be purchased in similar denominations through online brokers.
The main advantage enjoyed by municipal bonds is their tax-exempt status for federal income tax purposes. And if you purchase a municipal bond issued by your home state, or a municipality within that state, the interest will also be tax-exempt for state income tax purposes.
That makes municipal bonds an excellent source of tax-exempt income in a nonretirement account. (Because retirement accounts are tax-sheltered, it makes little sense to include municipal bonds in those accounts.)
Municipal bond rates are currently hovering just above 3% for AAA-rated bonds. And while that’s an impressive return by itself, it masks an even higher yield.
Because of their tax-exempt status, the effective yield on municipal bonds will be higher than the note rate. For example, if your combined federal and state marginal income tax rates are 25%, the effective yield on a municipal bond paying 3% will be 4%. That gives an effective rate comparable with AAA-rated corporate bonds.
Municipal bonds, like other bonds, are subject to market value fluctuations due to interest rate changes. And while it’s rare, there have been occasional defaults on these bonds.
Like corporate bonds, municipal bonds carry ratings that affect the interest rates they pay. You can investigate bond ratings through sources like Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.
Fund
Symbol
Type
Current Yield
5 Average Annual Return
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
VIPSX
TIPS
0.06%
3.02%
SPDR® Portfolio Interm Term Corp Bond ETF
SPIB
Corporate
4.38%
1.44%
iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF
HYGH
High-Yield
5.19%
2.02%
Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF (PVI)
PVI
Municipal
0.53%
0.56%
6. Longer Term Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
This is another investment that falls under the low risk/relatively high return classification. As interest rates have risen in recent months, rates have crept up on certificates of deposit. Unlike just one year ago, CDs now merit consideration.
But the key is to invest in certificates with longer terms.
“Another lower-risk option is to consider a Certificate of Deposit (CD),” advises Lance C. Steiner, CFP at Buckingham Advisors. “Banks, credit unions, and many other financial institutions offer CDs with maturities ranging from 6 months to 60 months. Currently, a 6-month CD may pay between 0.75% and 1.25% where a 24-month CD may pay between 2.20% and 3.00%. We suggest considering a short-term ladder since interest rates are expected to continue rising.” (Stated interest rates for the high-yield savings and CDs were obtained at bankrate.com.)
Most banks offer certificates of deposit with terms as long as five years. Those typically have the highest yields.
But the longer term does involve at least a moderate level of risk. If you invest in a CD for five years that’s currently paying 3%, the risk is that interest rates will continue rising. If they do, you’ll miss out on the higher returns available on newer certificates. But the risk is still low overall since the bank guarantees to repay 100% of your principle upon certificate maturity.
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
7. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending
Do you know how banks borrow from you—at 1% interest—then loan the same money to your neighbor at rates sometimes as high as 20%? It’s quite a racket, and a profitable one at that.
But do you also know that you have the same opportunity as a bank? It’s an investing process known as peer-to-peer lending, or P2P for short.
P2P lending essentially eliminates the bank. As an investor, you’ll provide the funds for borrowers on a P2P platform. Most of these loans will be in the form of personal loans for a variety of purposes. But some can also be business loans, medical loans, and for other more specific purposes.
As an investor/lender, you get to keep more of the interest rate return on those loans. You can invest easily through online P2P platforms.
One popular example is Prosper. They offer primarily personal loans in amounts ranging between $2,000 and $40,000. You can invest in small slivers of these loans, referred to as “notes.” Notes can be purchased for as little as $25.
That small denomination will make it possible to diversify your investment across many different loans. You can even choose the loans you will invest in based on borrower credit scores, income, loan terms, and purposes.
Prosper, which has managed $20 billion in P2P loans since 2005, claims a historical average return of 5.7%. That’s a high rate of return on what is essentially a fixed-income investment. But that’s because there exists the possibility of loss due to borrower default.
However, you can minimize the likelihood of default by carefully choosing borrower loan quality. That means focusing on borrowers with higher credit scores, incomes, and more conservative loan purposes (like debt consolidation).
8. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
REITs are an excellent way to participate in real estate investment, and the return it provides, without large amounts of capital or the need to manage properties. They’re publicly traded, closed-end investment funds that can be bought and sold on major stock exchanges. They invest primarily in commercial real estate, like office buildings, retail space, and large apartment complexes.
If you’re planning to invest in a REIT, you should be aware that there are three different types.
“Equity REITs purchase commercial, industrial, or residential real estate properties,” reports Robert R. Johnson, PhD, CFA, CAIA, Professor of Finance, Heider College of Business, Creighton University and co-author of several books, including The Tools and Techniques Of Investment Planning, Strategic Value Investing and Investment Banking for Dummies. “Income is derived primarily from the rental on the properties, as well as from the sale of properties that have increased in value. Mortgage REITs invest in property mortgages. The income is primarily from the interest they earn on the mortgage loans. Hybrid REITs invest both directly in property and in mortgages on properties.”
Johnson also cautions:
“Investors should understand that equity REITs are more like stocks and mortgage REITs are more like bonds. Hybrid REITs are like a mix of stocks and bonds.”
Mortgage REITs, in particular, are an excellent way to earn steady dividend income without being closely tied to the stock market.
Examples of specific REITs are listed in the table below (source: Kiplinger):
REIT
Equity or Mortgage
Property Type
Dividend Yield
12 Month Return
Rexford Industrial Realty
REXR
Industrial warehouse space
2.02%
2.21%
Sun Communities
SUI
Manufactured housing, RVs, resorts, marinas
2.19%
-14.71%
American Tower
AMT
Multi-tenant cell towers
2.13%
-9.00%
Prologis
PLD
Industrial real estate
2.49%
-0.77%
Camden Property Trust
CPT
Apartment complexes
2.77%
-7.74%
Alexandria Real Estate Equities
ARE
Research Properties
3.14%
-23.72%
Digital Realty Trust
DLR
Data centers
3.83%
-17.72%
9. Real Estate Crowdfunding
If you prefer direct investment in a property of your choice, rather than a portfolio, you can invest in real estate crowdfunding. You invest your money, but management of the property will be handled by professionals. With real estate crowdfunding, you can pick out individual properties, or invest in nonpublic REITs that invest in very specific portfolios.
One of the best examples of real estate crowdfunding is Fundrise. That’s because you can invest with as little as $500 or create a customized portfolio with no more than $1,000. Not only does Fundrise charge low fees, but they also have multiple investment options. You can start small in managed investments, and eventually trade up to investing in individual deals.
One thing to be aware of with real estate crowdfunding is that many require accredited investor status. That means being high income, high net worth, or both. If you are an accredited investor, you’ll have many more choices in the real estate crowdfunding space.
If you are not an accredited investor, that doesn’t mean you’ll be prevented from investing in this asset class. Part of the reason why Fundrise is so popular is that they don’t require accredited investor status. There are other real estate crowdfunding platforms that do the same.
Just be careful if you want to invest in real estate through real estate crowdfunding platforms. You will be expected to tie your money up for several years, and early redemption is often not possible. And like most investments, there is the possibility of losing some or all your investment principal.
Low minimum investment – $10
Diversified real estate portfolio
Portfolio Transparency
10. Physical Real Estate
We’ve talked about investing in real estate through REITs and real estate crowdfunding. But you can also invest directly in physical property, including residential property or even commercial.
Owning real estate outright means you have complete control over the investment. And since real estate is a large-dollar investment, the potential returns are also large.
For starters, average annual returns on real estate are impressive. They’re even comparable to stocks. Residential real estate has generated average returns of 10.6%, while commercial property has returned an average of 9.5%.
Next, real estate has the potential to generate income from two directions, from rental income and capital gains. But because of high property values in many markets around the country, it will be difficult to purchase real estate that will produce a positive cash flow, at least in the first few years.
Generally speaking, capital gains are where the richest returns come from. Property purchased today could double or even triple in 20 years, creating a huge windfall. And this will be a long-term capital gain, to get the benefit of a lower tax bite.
Finally, there’s the leverage factor. You can typically purchase an investment property with a 20% down payment. That means you can purchase a $500,000 property with $100,000 out-of-pocket.
By calculating your capital gains on your upfront investment, the returns are truly staggering. If the $500,000 property doubles to $1 million in 20 years, the $500,000 profit generated will produce a 500% gain on your $100,000 investment.
On the negative side, real estate is certainly a very long-term investment. It also comes with high transaction fees, often as high as 10% of the sale price. And not only will it require a large down payment up front, but also substantial investment of time managing the property.
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
11. High Dividend Stocks
“The best high-yield investment is dividend stocks,” declares Harry Turner, Founder at The Sovereign Investor. “While there is no guaranteed return with stocks, over the long term stocks have outperformed other investments such as bonds and real estate. Among stocks, dividend-paying stocks have outperformed non-dividend paying stocks by more than 2 percentage points per year on average over the last century. In addition, dividend stocks tend to be less volatile than non-dividend paying stocks, meaning they are less likely to lose value in downturns.”
You can certainly invest in individual stocks that pay high dividends. But a less risky way to do it, and one that will avoid individual stock selection, is to invest through a fund.
One of the most popular is the ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrat ETF (NOBL). It has provided a return of 1.67% in the 12 months ending May 31, and an average of 12.33% per year since the fund began in October 2013. The fund currently has a 1.92% dividend yield.
The so-called Dividend Aristocrats are popular because they represent 60+ S&P 500 companies, with a history of increasing their dividends for at least the past 25 years.
“Dividend Stocks are an excellent way to earn some quality yield on your investments while simultaneously keeping inflation at bay,” advises Lyle Solomon, Principal Attorney at Oak View Law Group, one of the largest law firms in America. “Dividends are usually paid out by well-established and successful companies that no longer need to reinvest all of the profits back into the business.”
It gets better. “These companies and their stocks are safer to invest in owing to their stature, large customer base, and hold over the markets,” adds Solomon. “The best part about dividend stocks is that many of these companies increase dividends year on year.”
The table below shows some popular dividend-paying stocks. Each is a so-called “Dividend Aristocrat”, which means it’s part of the S&P 500 and has increased its dividend in each of at least the past 25 years.
Company
Symbol
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AbbVie
ABBV
$5.64
3.80%
Armcor PLC
AMCR
$0.48
3.81%
Chevron
CVX
$5.68
3.94%
ExxonMobil
XOM
$3.52
4.04%
IBM
IBM
$6.60
5.15%
Realty Income Corp
O
$2.97
4.16%
Walgreen Boots Alliance
WBA
$1.92
4.97%
12. Preferred Stocks
Preferred stocks are a very specific type of dividend stock. Just like common stock, preferred stock represents an interest in a publicly traded company. They’re often thought of as something of a hybrid between stocks and bonds because they contain elements of both.
Though common stocks can pay dividends, they don’t always. Preferred stocks on the other hand, always pay dividends. Those dividends can be either a fixed amount or based on a variable dividend formula. For example, a company can base the dividend payout on a recognized index, like the LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate). The percentage of dividend payout will then change as the index rate does.
Preferred stocks have two major advantages over common stock. First, as “preferred” securities, they have a priority on dividend payments. A company is required to pay their preferred shareholders dividends ahead of common stockholders. Second, preferred stocks have higher dividend yields than common stocks in the same company.
You can purchase preferred stock through online brokers, some of which are listed under “Growth Stocks” below.
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
Preferred Stock Caveats
The disadvantage of preferred stocks is that they don’t entitle the holder to vote in corporate elections. But some preferred stocks offer a conversion option. You can exchange your preferred shares for a specific number of common stock shares in the company. Since the conversion will likely be exercised when the price of the common shares takes a big jump, there’s the potential for large capital gains—in addition to the higher dividend.
Be aware that preferred stocks can also be callable. That means the company can authorize the repurchase of the stock at its discretion. Most will likely do that at a time when interest rates are falling, and they no longer want to pay a higher dividend on the preferred stock.
Preferred stock may also have a maturity date, which is typically 30–40 years after its original issuance. The company will typically redeem the shares at the original issue price, eliminating the possibility of capital gains.
Not all companies issue preferred stock. If you choose this investment, be sure it’s with a company that’s well-established and has strong financials. You should also pay close attention to the details of the issuance, including and especially any callability provisions, dividend formulas, and maturity dates.
13. Growth Stocks
This sector is likely the highest risk investment on this list. But it also may be the one with the highest yield, at least over the long term. That’s why we’re including it on this list.
Based on the S&P 500 index, stocks have returned an average of 10% per year for the past 50 years. But it is important to realize that’s only an average. The market may rise 40% one year, then fall 20% the next. To be successful with this investment, you must be committed for the long haul, up to and including several decades.
And because of the potential wide swings, growth stocks are not recommended for funds that will be needed within the next few years. In general, growth stocks work best for retirement plans. That’s where they’ll have the necessary decades to build and compound.
Since most of the return on growth stocks is from capital gains, you’ll get the benefit of lower long-term capital gains tax rates, at least with securities held in a taxable account. (The better news is capital gains on investments held in retirement accounts are tax-deferred until retirement.)
You can choose to invest in individual stocks, but that’s a fairly high-maintenance undertaking. A better way may be to simply invest in ETFs tied to popular indexes. For example, ETFs based on the S&P 500 are very popular among investors.
You can purchase growth stocks and growth stock ETFs commission free with brokers like M1 Finance, Zacks Trade, Wealthsimple.
14. Annuities
Annuities are something like creating your own private pension. It’s an investment contract you take with an insurance company, in which you invest a certain amount of money in exchange for a specific income stream. They can be an excellent source of high yields because the return is locked in by the contract.
Annuities come in many different varieties. Two major classifications are immediate and deferred annuities. As the name implies, immediate annuities begin paying an income stream shortly after the contract begins.
Deferred annuities work something like retirement plans. You may deposit a fixed amount of money with the insurance company upfront or make regular installments. In either case, income payments will begin at a specified point in the future.
With deferred annuities, the income earned within the plan is tax-deferred and paid upon withdrawal. But unlike retirement accounts, annuity contributions are not tax-deductible. Investment returns can either be fixed-rate or variable-rate, depending on the specific annuity setup.
While annuities are an excellent idea and concept, the wide variety of plans as well as the many insurance companies and agents offering them, make them a potential minefield. For example, many annuities are riddled with high fees and are subject to limited withdrawal options.
Because they contain so many moving parts, any annuity contracts you plan to enter into should be carefully reviewed. Pay close attention to all the details, including the small ones. It is, after all, a contract, and therefore legally binding. For that reason, you may want to have a potential annuity reviewed by an attorney before finalizing the deal.
15. Alternative Investments
Alternative investments cover a lot of territory. Examples include precious metals, commodities, private equity, art and collectibles, and digital assets. These fall more in the category of high risk/potential high reward, and you should proceed very carefully and with only the smallest slice of your portfolio.
To simplify the process of selecting alternative assets, you can invest through platforms such as Yieldstreet. With a single cash investment, you can invest in multiple alternatives.
“Investors can purchase real estate directly on Yieldstreet, through fractionalized investments in single deals,” offers Milind Mehere, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Yieldstreet. “Investors can access private equity and private credit at high minimums by investing in a private market fund (think Blackstone or KKR, for instance). On Yieldstreet, they can have access to third-party funds at a fraction of the previously required minimums. Yieldstreet also offers venture capital (fractionalized) exposure directly. Buying a piece of blue-chip art can be expensive, and prohibitive for most investors, which is why Yieldstreet offers fractionalized assets to diversified art portfolios.”
Yieldstreet also provides access to digital asset investments, with the benefit of allocating to established professional funds, such as Pantera or Osprey Fund. The platform does not currently offer commodities but plans to do so in the future.
Access to wide array of alternative asset classes
Access to ultra-wealthy investments
Can invest for income or growth
Learn More Now
Alternative investments largely require thinking out-of-the-box. Some of the best investment opportunities are also the most unusual.
“The price of meat continues to rise, while agriculture remains a recession-proof investment as consumer demand for food is largely inelastic,” reports Chris Rawley, CEO of Harvest Returns, a platform for investing in private agriculture companies. “Consequently, investors are seeing solid returns from high-yield, grass-fed cattle notes.”
16. Interest Bearing Crypto Accounts
Though the primary appeal of investing in cryptocurrency has been the meteoric rises in price, now that the trend seems to be in reverse, the better play may be in interest-bearing crypto accounts. A select group of crypto exchanges pays high interest on your crypto balance.
One example is Gemini. Not only do they provide an opportunity to buy, sell, and store more than 100 cryptocurrencies—plus non-fungible tokens (NFTs)—but they are currently paying 8.05% APY on your crypto balance through Gemini Earn.
In another variation of being able to earn money on crypto, Crypto.com pays rewards of up to 14.5% on crypto held on the platform. That’s the maximum rate, as rewards vary by crypto. For example, rewards on Bitcoin and Ethereum are paid at 6%, while stablecoins can earn 8.5%.
It’s important to be aware that when investing in cryptocurrency, you will not enjoy the benefit of FDIC insurance. That means you can lose money on your investment. But that’s why crypto exchanges pay such high rates of return, whether it’s in the form of interest or rewards.
Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad
17. Crypto Staking
Another way to play cryptocurrency is a process known as crypto staking. This is where the crypto exchange pays you a certain percentage as compensation or rewards for monitoring a specific cryptocurrency. This is not like crypto mining, which brings crypto into existence. Instead, you’ll participate in writing that particular blockchain and monitoring its security.
“Crypto staking is a concept wherein you can buy and lock a cryptocurrency in a protocol, and you will earn rewards for the amount and time you have locked the cryptocurrency,” reports Oak View Law Group’s Lyle Solomon.
“The big downside to staking crypto is the value of cryptocurrencies, in general, is extremely volatile, and the value of your staked crypto may reduce drastically,” Solomon continues, “However, you can stake stable currencies like USDC, which have their value pegged to the U.S. dollar, and would imply you earn staked rewards without a massive decrease in the value of your investment.”
Much like earning interest and rewards on crypto, staking takes place on crypto exchanges. Two exchanges that feature staking include Coinbase and Kraken. These are two of the largest crypto exchanges in the industry, and they provide a wide range of crypto opportunities, in addition to staking.
Invest in Startup Businesses and Companies
Have you ever heard the term “angel investor”? That’s a private investor, usually, a high net worth individual, who provides capital to small businesses, often startups. That capital is in the form of equity. The angel investor invests money in a small business, becomes a part owner of the company, and is entitled to a share of the company’s earnings.
In most cases, the angel investor acts as a silent partner. That means he or she receives dividend distributions on the equity invested but doesn’t actually get involved in the management of the company.
It’s a potentially lucrative investment opportunity because small businesses have a way of becoming big businesses. As they grow, both your equity and your income from the business also grow. And if the business ever goes public, you could be looking at a life-changing windfall!
Easy Ways to Invest in Startup Businesses
Mainvest is a simple, easy way to invest in small businesses. It’s an online investment platform where you can get access to returns as high as 25%, with an investment of just $100. Mainvest offers vetted businesses (the acceptance rate is just 5% of business that apply) for you to invest in.
It collects revenue, which will be paid to you quarterly. And because the minimum required investment is so small, you can invest in several small businesses at the same time. One of the big advantages with Mainvest is that you are not required to be an accredited investor.
Still another opportunity is through Fundrise Innovation Fund. I’ve already covered how Fundrise is an excellent real estate crowdfunding platform. But through their recently launched Innovaton Fund, you’ll have opportunity to invest in high-growth private technology companies. As a fund, you’ll invest in a portfolio of late-stage tech companies, as well as some public equities.
The purpose of the fund is to provide high growth, and the fund is currently offering shares with a net asset value of $10. These are long-term investments, so you should expect to remain invested for at least five years. But you may receive dividends in the meantime.
Like Mainvest, the Fundrise Innovation Fund does not require you to be an accredited investor.
Low minimum investment – $10
Diversified real estate portfolio
Portfolio Transparency
Final Thoughts on High Yield Investing
Notice that I’ve included a mix of investments based on a combination of risk and return. The greater the risk associated with the investment, the higher the stated or expected return will be.
It’s important when choosing any of these investments that you thoroughly assess the risk involved with each, and not focus primarily on return. These are not 100% safe investments, like short-term CDs, short-term Treasury securities, savings accounts, or bank money market accounts.
Because there is risk associated with each, most are not suitable as short-term investments. They make most sense for long-term investment accounts, particularly retirement accounts.
For example, growth stocks—and most stocks, for that matter—should generally be in a retirement account. While there will be years when you will suffer losses in your position, you’ll have enough years to offset those losses between now and retirement.
Also, if you don’t understand any of the above investments, it will be best to avoid making them. And for more complicated investments, like annuities, you should consult with a professional to evaluate the suitability and all the provisions it contains.
FAQ’s on High Yield Investment Options
What investment has the highest yield?
The investment with the highest yield will vary depending on a number of factors, including current market conditions and the amount of risk an investor is willing to take on. Generally speaking, investments with the potential for high yields also come with a higher level of risk, so it’s important for investors to carefully consider their options and choose investments that align with their financial goals and risk tolerance.
Some examples of high-yield investments include:
1. Stocks: Some stocks may offer high dividend yields, which is the annual dividend payment a company makes to its shareholders, expressed as a percentage of the stock’s current market price.
2. Real estate: Investing in real estate, either directly by purchasing property or indirectly through a real estate investment trust (REIT), can potentially generate high returns in the form of rental income and appreciation of the property value.
3. High-yield bonds: High-yield bonds, also known as junk bonds, are bonds that are issued by companies with lower credit ratings and thus offer higher yields to compensate for the added risk.
4. Private lending: Investing in private loans, such as through peer-to-peer lending platforms, can potentially offer high yields, but it also carries a higher level of risk.
5. Commodities: Investing in commodities, such as precious metals or oil, can potentially generate high returns if the prices of those commodities rise. However, the prices of commodities can also be volatile and subject to market fluctuations.
It’s important to note that these are just examples and not recommendations. As with any investment, it’s crucial to carefully research and consider all the potential risks and rewards before making a decision.
Where can I invest my money to get high returns?
There are a number of places you can invest your money to get high returns. One option is to invest in stocks, which typically offer higher returns than other investment options. Another option is to invest in bonds, which are considered a relatively safe investment option.
You could also invest in real estate, which has the potential to provide high returns if done correctly. Finally, you could also invest in commodities, such as gold or silver, which can be a risky investment but can also offer high returns.
What investments can I make a 10% return?
It’s difficult to predict exactly what investments will generate a 10% return, as investment returns can vary depending on a number of factors, including market conditions and the performance of the specific investment. Some investments, such as stocks and real estate, have the potential to generate returns in excess of 10%, but they also come with a higher level of risk. It’s important to remember that past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results, and that all investments carry some degree of risk
It’s always important to remember that just because someone is famous or successful, it doesn’t mean they’re a good person. Unfortunately, celebrities have served as living examples of how people may conceal their heinous crimes simply because they are famous.
In this post, we’ve identified ten celebrities who committed bad things but were “forgiven” because they were famous.
1. Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe
Vincent Neil Wharton, better known as Vince Neil, is an American musician, primary vocalist, and occasional rhythm guitarist for the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe from their inception until 1992.
One Redditor shared, “Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe drove drunk, killed one of his very good friends, and gave the two people in the other car very bad injuries and brain damage. He also had other DUIs after this. But hey, everybody loves a good party song, and now he has a famous liquor brand.”
Another added, “He also beat a woman so severely it ruptured a breast implant.”
A user ended the thread with a comment, “Jesus Christ, what kind of monster punches a woman in the front?”
2. Floyd Mayweather
Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr. is a former professional boxer and boxing promoter from the US. He presently owns The Money Team Racing, a NASCAR Cup Series team.
One Redditor posted, “Floyd Mayweather beats his wife with hands that are registered as lethal weapons in front of his children. But because he wins, nobody cares.” Another added, “He has always seemed like such a d** lol.”
3. R Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly is an American musician, composer, record producer, and convicted s*x offender.
One user said, “R Kelly married Aaliyah when she was 15 years old in the mid-’90s, and yet it took like two decades for people to start boycotting him as a sexual predator. He was still making songs with Beyonce, Lady Gaga, etc., for a looooong time.”
“I remember after Aaliyah died, there was an interview with the guy who’d been her boyfriend at the time of her death. Apparently, the whole R. Kelly thing shook her up, and she didn’t like to talk about the subject at all. No surprise there,” someone replied.
4. Rick James
Rick James, born James Ambrose Johnson Jr., was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. James began his musical career as a teenager, having been born and reared in New York.
One user shared, “Rick James kidnapped TWO women with his wife while on separate crack binges.”
“And tortured them, for days on end,” another responded.
A third user ended, “DARKNESS.”
5. Johnny Cash
John R. Cash was a country music singer-songwriter from the US. Much of Cash’s songs, particularly in the latter phases of his career, addressed themes of sadness, moral difficulty, and salvation.
One Redditor shared, “Johnny Cash walked out on his wife and kids saying that his career was more important to him than they were, then went on to eventually settle down with June Carter and start a whole new family while ignoring the kids he already had.”
“I’m pretty sure they made a whole movie about this,” another commenter responded.
One user added, “I’m watching it for a careers class, 10/10 not a great movie.”
6. Boy George
Boy George is an English singer, songwriter, DJ, author, and mixed media artist and has been the lead vocalist of the musical band Culture Club. He is well renowned for his baritone vocals and androgynous look.
A commenter posted, “Boy George. He beat a guy with a metal chain after cuffing him to a radiator. Should make for an interesting sequence in his forthcoming biopic…”
One user asked, “Why did he do that?”
“He really wanted to hurt him,” one Reddit user responded.
“He really wanted to make him cry,” another user added.
7. Jimmy Page
James Patrick Page is an English musician best known as the guitarist and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin. In addition, Page is a prolific creator of guitar riffs.
One user shared, “Jimmy Page also dated a 14-year-old when he was 28. Edit: ‘dated’. Edit: KIDNAPPED and R*PED.”
Another user added, “There was a groupie called Lori Maddox who Jimmy Page started dating when she was 14. David Bowie took her virginity when she was 15, and Mick Jagger gave her cocaine and slept with her while she was still underage. You never hear about any of this.”
“Listen to Stray Cat Blues. He straight-up sings about f*cking 15 yr old. Doesn’t even want to see their id,” another responded.
“It’s not even subtle,” another Redditor replied.
8. Piers Morgan
One Redditor shared, “Piers Morgan was the editor of the Daily Mirror during the Iraq War, published photos that he knew were fake of American and British Troops abusing Iraqi prisoners. He was fired but somehow managed to make a successful media career out of it.”
Another replied, “One of my favorite videos of him is the one where he tried to shame that Love Island girl because she didn’t know Pythagoras’ Theorem, and when asked if he knew, he started reciting the digits to Pi.”
“The assumption he makes—that being able to recite pi ‘to, say, the first five digits’ is the basest form of faux-intellectualism, too.
It’s what a four-year-old might think of as the pinnacle of cognitive achievement.”, one user added.
“And incorrectly reciting Pi, at that,” one user confirmed.
9. George Wallace
A user shared, “George Wallace—the infamous pro-segregation Governor of Alabama in the 60s—did not inform his wife that her doctor diagnosed her with cancer (doctors during this time often told patient’s relatives of their cancer diagnosis instead of the patient, especially if the patient was female). The reason was that she was running for governor as a surrogate for him since he had reached his term limits, and he thought that the diagnosis would negatively affect her chances of winning. She ended up finding out about it four years later during a visit to a gynecologist. Still, unfortunately, the cancer had progressed to the point that she died from it three years after learning that she had cancer and that her husband had known about it.
“He ended up successfully getting the term limits repealed and went on to serve a few more terms as governor. People forget about this, I’m assuming, because of all of the other sh*tty things he did. Edit: Her name was Lurleen Wallace, for those interested.”
Another user commented, “Well, he was shot in an assassination attempt in Maryland and was paralyzed from the waist down. Karma’s a b*tch.”
Game of Thrones is widely accepted as one of the best television series ever. It has blood, romance, drama, and many betrayals, not to mention some of the most epic action sequences ever to grace the screen. We have you covered if you are looking for something new to scratch that itch. We went to a popular entertainment forum to compile a list of ten great TV shows if you love Game of Thrones.
1. House of the Dragon
Listing House of the Dragon might seem to be the same thing as Game of Thrones. However, House of the Dragon is its own series. Based on another book by George R. R. Martin, titled Fire & Blood, the series tells the story of what happened 300 years before the Game of Thrones series.
1. House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon chronicles the creation and rise of Targaryen power in Westeros and is already a massive hit with audiences. House of the Dragon has one season but has already been picked up for a second, likely coming in 2024.
2. Succession
Succession is similar to Game of Thrones in depicting what happens when multiple characters are vying for the top spot or the “throne.” For example, when Logan Roy, the head of Waystar Royco, has health issues, the family immediately starts stabbing each other in the back to get what they believe is rightfully theirs. Succession is a great watch, packed with drama, suspense, and lots of betrayal.
3. Rome
Rome, the series, centers around the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. It features war, political intrigue, assassinations, family tragedies, and more while weaving in historical figures. One commenter claims, “If you love the political intrigue of Game of Thrones, you’ll love Rome.”
4. Gotham
Gotham might be more of a comic book-focused film. However, it delivers suspense, and backstabbing like Game of Thrones does. Taking place in the gritty streets of Gotham, it follows the life of GCPD detective James Gordan.
4. Gotham
It has a bit of a gangster vibe but similar action to Game of Thrones, as Gordon must solve many mysteries, including the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents. Throughout the series, a massive gang war brews between the many crime families in town.
5. Boardwalk Empire
Boardwalk Empire is another series that includes politics similar to Game of Thornes. While it is a period drama, it is set in Atlantic City at the dawn of Prohibition and details the life of the man who runs things.
5. Boardwalk Empire
He is a gangster, which also means many backstabbing and betrayals here. The American Film Institute named Boardwalk Empire one of the ten “best television programs of the year for its first and second seasons.”
6. Vikings
Vikings is a historical drama inspired by the sagas of Ragnar Lodbrok, a Viking who is one of the best-known legendary Norse heroes and is notorious as the scourge of Anglo-Saxon England and West Francia.
6. Vikings
The show details his rise to fame by raiding England and eventually becoming king. One user claims that Vikings has “a lot of medieval-style backstabbing and scheming,” which makes it very similar to Game of Thrones.
7. The Expanse
For those who like Science Fiction, The Expanse is like a Sci-Fi version of Game of Thrones. The series is set in a future where humanity has colonized the Solar System. It follows a group of protagonists as they unwittingly unravel and place themselves at the center of a conspiracy that threatens life as they know it by discovering new and dangerous alien technology.
8. The Last Kingdom
The Last Kingdom is based on Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories series of novels. It begins in the year 866 and details the life of Uhtred as he works to avenge those he loves. It has stunning cinematography and is packed with action.
9. The Serpent Queen
The Serpent Queen is an American period drama television series about the life of Catherine de Medici, who marries into the French Valois court as a fourteen-year-old teenager expected to bring in a fortune in dowry and produce heirs. It details her trials and tribulations and gives viewers a lot of clever politicking, just as Game of Thrones does.
10. Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica (BSG) is an American military science fiction television series. It is set in a distant star system, where a civilization of humans lives on a group of planets known as the Twelve Colonies of Kobol. One person suggests this series because it “has a lot of similar stuff in terms of mood and pace.”
Historically, life insurance has been a taboo subject.
As humans, we’re hardwired to think we’ll live forever. Since discussing life insurance means we’re addressing our own mortality, far too many of us choose to avoid the situation altogether.
Fortunately, the tide appears to be turning as more and more families choose to buy coverage for their families.
A study from Life Happens and life insurance research and development agency (LIMRA) showed that over 106 million of American adults are in need of some type of life insurance coverage or more of it.
Further, the number of households with life insurance coverage decreased by 13% over the last decade.
Parents under 45 with children in the home are buying coverage at higher levels than ever. From 2010 to 2022, individual coverage for millennials under the age of 35 also grew by a whopping 48 percent.
While this is all good news, far too many families still don’t have enough life insurance coverage in place. As a 2022 study from Bankrate showed, nearly half of respondents said they had less than $100,000 in coverage, while 21 percent noted they had $21,000 in coverage or less.
While some coverage is better than nothing, for most families, this isn’t nearly enough.
Introducing Haven Life
Fortunately, there’s a new – and easy – way to purchase the right amount of term life insurance coverage for your family. With Haven Life, you can apply for a tailored life insurance policy online and get coverage in a matter of days – or even hours.
Better yet, you can purchase a Haven Life term life insurance policy on top of the life insurance coverage you already have. So, if you have a life insurance policy through your employer, you don’t have to give it up. Best of all, term life insurance typically coverage costs a lot less than you think.
But, why Haven Life? First off, Haven Life only sells affordable term life insurance. With Haven Life, you’ll never have to endure a long sales speech about whole life insurance that costs an arm and a leg.
Since Haven Life only sells term coverage, you can shop for the coverage you want without worrying about cheesy salesman or absurd pricing. Keep in mind, a 35-year-old man could buy $500,000 in term life insurance coverage for as little as $21 per month!
Another huge reason to shop for life insurance with Haven Life? You can apply entirely online. By clicking through to Haven Life’s online application page, you could be on your way to affordable life insurance coverage in minutes.
Simply fill out the application with your personal details, health information, and life insurance needs, and you’ll quickly find out how much you qualify for – and how much it costs.
And if you’re in perfect health, the news could be even better.
Because Haven Life offers InstantTerm – a type of policy that doesn’t require a medical exam – those with excellent health could apply for life insurance coverage and have a policy in place within hours. You don’t have to apply for an InstantTerm policy separately, either.
Once you fill out Haven Life’s application, you’ll find out whether you qualify for InstantTerm right away. Check to see if no exam life insurance for smokers applies to you.
If you do not qualify, you will have 90 days to go through the standard medical exam procedure that most other term life insurance companies employ.
Where you once had to sit in a stuffy insurance agent’s office to buy life insurance or get contacted by a bunch of agents through an online form, the online application process created by Haven Life has made buying a policy that much easier.
Better yet, you’ll get the same quality of coverage you would buy through a normal agent and you get coverage that is competitive with the rest of the industry, even those that require a medical exam.
With Haven Life, you can count on receiving:
A simple online application process
No medical exam for qualified, healthy applicants
Easy price and policy comparisons
An immediate decision with InstantTerm
Backing of Mass Mutual, an insurer with 160 years of experience
A plain language no commission policy
The Haven Life Online Application Process
Since you’re reading this review, you’re probably aware you need more life insurance coverage. While you’ve taken a positive first step in the right direction, you’re not done yet.
In order to receive the coverage your family so desperately needs, you need to move forward with the application process.
The good news is, the Haven Life online application process is simple – and with no strings attached. To get started, you’ll simply head to HavenLife.com and fill out some basic information on the home page.
From there, you’ll select the prompt that says “Apply Now.”
Once you begin your application, you’ll need to fill out some basic information about yourself, your income, your family, and your health.
Before you get started, here are some details you’ll need to have ready:
Name
Address
Income
Net Worth
Employment Status
Military Status
Criminal History
Driving History
Travel Plans
Tobacco Use
Alcohol Use
Health History
Social Security Number
Driver’s License Number
Once you submit the required information, you’ll get an answer immediately on whether you’re approved or not and how much your monthly premium will be.
In some cases, you’ll need to complete a medical exam to get coverage, but will still have coverage while the underwriting process takes its course.
Fort those who qualify with the best rate class, however, will likely qualify for an InstantTerm policy with no medical exam required. With Haven Life’s InstantTerm, you can apply for coverage in the morning and have a life insurance policy in place by afternoon.
How Much Does Term Life Insurance from Haven Life Cost?
While whole life insurance coverage can be prohibitively expensive, term life can be downright cheap. I filled out a few applications to work up some examples, and here’s what I found:
A 35-year-old woman in excellent health can buy a 20-year term policy with a death benefit of $500,000 for as little as $18.50 per month.
A 47-year-old man in excellent health can buy a 20-year term insurance policy for $500,000 for as little as $58.50 per month
A 26-year-old man can buy a 30-year term life policy for $250,000 for as little as $19.75 per month.
A 36-year-old woman can buy a 20-year policy for $750,000 for as little as $28 per month.
At the end of the day, the cost of your policy depends on factors such as your age, your health, and how much coverage you want to buy.
That’s why filling out a preliminary application with Haven Life is the best way to get started – you don’t know how much you could save unless you apply.
Even if you hope to buy a larger policy, it may be more affordable than you think.
On the other hand, Haven Life does have the right to deny applicants who have poor health or a higher risk of early death. And even if you’re quoted an affordable monthly rate, the true monthly premium of your policy could change once your medical exam results are read.
Fortunately, you are not required to purchase a term life insurance policy from Haven Life – even after you submit an application and complete a medical exam.
Also keep in mind that Haven Life offers quotes from competing insurers as well as their own. If you could find a better deal on term life insurance elsewhere, Haven Life will let you know.
Since term life insurance all works similarly, the best thing you can do is shop around among different issuers or at least compare prices before you buy. Haven Life makes this part easy by offering competing quotes directly on their own site.
Haven Life Plus
Haven Life has unveiled a new “rider” on their insurance plans, and it’s very different than most riders out there. You don’t get accelerated death benefit or anything like that. Instead, you’re getting additional benefits that you won’t get with any other carrier.
First, you’re getting legal services (wills and healthcare power of attorney) through Trust & Will. These services usually cost $129, but if you have a Haven Life insurance plan, you get them for free.
Next, you’ll get 15% off health care services at any MinuteClinic. These MinuteClinics are in CVS and Targets across the country. You don’t have to have an appointment and they are open every day.
Additionally, if you’re a Haven Life policyholder, you get a LifeSite membership for free. LifeSite is a secure and easy way to store all of your important documents and share them across multiple platforms and devices. A membership typically costs $80, but you get this for free with Haven Life.
The most interesting benefit of Haven Life Plus is the discount to use TeloYears. What is TeloYears? It’s an at-home DNA test which details your biomarkers. These biomarkers can outline some ways you can improve your health and point out any potential problems in your lifestyle.
Lastly, you’ll get a LifeLink subscription. The goal of LifeLilnk is to make calling emergency services as easy and simple as possible. If you’re ever in an emergency, LifeLink allows you to get in touch with emergency services with just one button. After the call is over, your emergency contacts will be automatically contacted.
All of these benefits are included in the cost of your plan. You won’t have to pay extra for the benefits. Haven Life wants to help you live your best life, not just provide coverage after you pass.
What are People Saying About Haven Life?
Although Haven Life launched in May of 2015, they have already built an excellent reputation among both consumers and life insurance ratings agencies.
This is partly because Haven Life is owned by MassMutual, an insurer with 160 years of experience in the life insurance business.
As of February 2023, MassMutual and its subsidiaries C.M. Life Insurance Company and MML Bay State Life Insurance Company were rated by A.M. Best Company as A++ (Superior; Top category of 15).
Of course, ratings aren’t nearly as important as firsthand reviews and experience. Fortunately, I know one person who saved almost 50 percent on her premiums when she bought a 20-year term policy for $1,000,000 last year.
Where another company quoted her $60 per month for coverage, a policy with Haven Life came in at just $28 per month.
Haven Life on Trust Pilot
Trust Pilot also offers a range of ongoing reviews from new Haven Life customers. Here are some of the reviews consumers have left:
“The experience with Have Life was excellent. The process was very easy and not burdensome. The response was quick and not drawn out like I experienced with other life insurance companies.” – Tiffani
“Can’t say enough good comments about this product and the ease, no hassle experience with this company. Their website is very easy to use which made it easy to decide exactly what I wanted. A couple of emails back and forth, a 20-minute visit by the nurse to for the medical checkup and that was it. No pressure, no trying to steer me to a different product, can’t beat it!” – William
“The process of buying life insurance through Haven Life was great. I dreaded going to see a financial advisor who would try to sell me on products I didn’t want or need. This was a perfect alternative to that process and took less than 30 minutes to complete. If you know what your looking for and don’t want the hassle of a salesman trying to upsell you, Haven Life is perfect.” – Benjamin
How Much Life Insurance Should I Buy?
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who have some life insurance coverage, you might wonder whether buying more is a good investment. Keep in mind that most experts suggest buying at least 5-10x your income in life insurance coverage. If you earn $50,000 per year, for example, you’ll want to have at least $250,000 – $500,000 in place.
While this is a good place to start, many experts believe you need a whole lot more.
Fortunately, Haven Life offers a life insurance calculator you can play around with to get an idea of how much coverage to buy. Based on your answers to a series of questions, you can get a general range of coverage that will adequately protect your spouse and kids.
While there are numerous reasons to load up on life insurance coverage, here are some of the main life expenses your policy needs to cover:
Income Replacement – If you or your spouse were to pass away early, you would need to make sure your life insurance policy was adequate to replace your income during your working years.
College Tuition – If you have children and want them to attend college, it’s important to consider this expense when you buy life insurance. With enough coverage in place, you could get your kids through college debt-free.
Mortgage Payments – Whether you have the typical thirty-year mortgage or a loan with a shorter term, it’s important to consider how this loan will be paid off if you died. Consider adding enough life insurance to pay for your mortgage in its entirety upon your death.
Funeral Expenses – Passing away before your time is both tragic and expensive. Depending on the type of funeral your family plans, they might need to spend $10,000 or more. Make sure your life insurance policy is large enough to cover funeral expenses in addition to everything else.
Children’s Expenses – Kids are expensive, and they only get more expensive as they age. If you have children at home, make sure you have plenty of coverage to pay for daily living expenses, college tuition, sporting events, weddings, and more.
Who Can Get a Haven Life Policy?
If you’re thinking about getting a Haven Life term life insurance policy, you’re in luck. Currently, the insurer sells affordable term life insurance in 48 states plus the District of Columbia.
They’re not yet available in California or Montana, but they hope to change that soon.
To qualify for a policy, you must meet medical standards or pass a medical exam set up by Haven Life. You should be at least 18-years-old but younger than 65. You also need to meet the following qualifications:
Be a non-military U.S. citizen
Have a valid driver’s license
Not intend to use the policy for business purposes or to replace another policy
Financial Strength of Haven Life
The financial strength of Haven Life is evidenced by the fact that it is backed by the 150-year-old MassMutual, a leading provider of life insurance and retirement products.
With over $500 billion in assets, MassMutual has maintained an A++ rating from AM Best for nearly two decades, making it one of the most highly rated life insurers in the US. Additionally, Haven Life is licensed to sell life insurance in all 50 states and also holds licenses with other jurisdictions.
RATING AGENCY
RATING
OUTLOOK
A.M. Best Company
A++ Superior
Stable
Fitch Ratings
AA+ Very Strong
Stable
Moody’s Investors Service
Aa3 High Quality
Stable
Standard & Poor’s
AA+ Very Strong
Stable
The Bottom Line – Haven Life Insurance
If you’re thinking of buying a term life insurance policy, don’t delay.
The younger you are when you buy a policy, the more affordable your monthly premiums will be. And if you should happen to become sick, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you already have the life insurance coverage you need.
To get started, visit Haven Life’s home page to begin the quick and simple process of applying online. Within a matter of minutes, you should have a general idea of whether you’ll qualify, how much coverage you can buy, and how much your monthly premiums will cost.
You may not want to talk about life insurance, but you do need to act. Buying an inexpensive term policy is the best way to protect your family today, tomorrow, and always.
Do you have term life insurance coverage? How much did you pay?
Haven Life offers a refreshing approach to life insurance, making the process of purchasing a policy easier and more convenient for consumers. The company provides a user-friendly online platform where you can quickly compare different life insurance options, determine your coverage needs, and apply for a policy. The application process is straightforward and easy to complete, with no medical exams required in many cases. One of the standout features of Haven Life is the use of technology to streamline the life insurance experience. From the online platform to the automated underwriting process, everything is designed to make the process as fast and hassle-free as possible. Customers also appreciate the ability to manage their policy online, view account information, and make payments with ease.
Cost and Fees
Customer Service
User Experience
Overall
4.3
Pros
Convenient online process: Haven Life makes it easy to purchase a life insurance policy online, with a simple and straightforward application process.
No medical exams required: In many cases, Haven Life does not require a medical exam for approval of coverage, making it a convenient option for those who are healthy and do not want to go through a medical exam.
Affordable: Haven Life offers competitive life insurance rates, making it a cost-effective option for many consumers.
Access to financial advice: Haven Life provides customers with access to financial advice and support, helping them make informed decisions about their coverage and overall financial health.
Cons
Limited coverage options: Haven Life primarily offers term life insurance, which may not meet the needs of everyone. If you are looking for a more comprehensive coverage solution, you may need to consider a different company.
Online process may not be for everyone: While the online process can be convenient for some, it may not be ideal for those who prefer to work with a human agent.
Potential for higher premiums: If you have pre-existing health conditions, you may be charged a higher premium for life insurance coverage, which could make it more expensive than other options.
Newer company: Haven Life is a relatively new company in the life insurance market, which may make some customers hesitant to work with them.
LifeHappens.org (2022 April) Owning Life Insurance Provides a Clear Path to Financial Security Retrieved from https://lifehappens.org/research/owning-life-insurance-provides-a-clear-path-to-financial-security/
MassMutual.com (n.d.) Financial Performance and Insurance Ratings Retrieved from https://www.massmutual.com/about-us/massmutual-financial-summary
Trust Pilot Haven Life Review (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.trustpilot.com/review/havenlife.com
The 2022 TIAA Institute-GFLEC Personal Finance Index (2022) Retrieved from https://gflec.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/TIAA-Institute-GFLEC-2022-Personal-Finance-P-Fin-Index.pdf?x59497
One of the most magnificent mansions in all of California, Hearst Castle has a rich history that captivates audiences just as much as its striking architecture.
Built more than a quarter mile above the Pacific Ocean, the California castle that was formerly known as La Cuesta Encantada (Spanish for The Enchanted Hill), is a historic estate in San Simeon, Calif.
Perched on a hill halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along the Central Coast of California, Hearst Castle was originally built as a private home for publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst.
Hearst, who was one of the wealthiest people alive at the time, is said to have been the inspiration for Orson Welles’ iconic Citizen Kane movie — whose protagonist lived in “the world’s largest private estate,” called Xanadu.
While Welles’ portrayal of Hearst was less than favorable, Xanadu — a name inspired by the ancient city of Xanadu, known for its splendor, and later picked up by Bill Gates as a moniker for his longtime home near Seattle, WA — captured the grandeur of the publishing magnate’s palatial estate.
Now, one century after W.R. Hearst started building his opulent home, Hearst Castle is registered as a National Historic Landmark and California Historical Landmark — and is welcoming visitors who want to revel in its illustrious past.
So we thought we’d delve into the storied history of one of the grandest private homes ever built in the Golden State.
The history of Hearst Castle
Construction of Hearst Castle took nearly thirty years, from 1919 until 1947.
Conceived by publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst and his trusted architect Julia Morgan, Hearst Castle would become a mansion worthy of one of the wealthiest men alive at the time (named Casa Grande).
The main estate was surrounded by three guesthouses (called Casa del Mar, Casa del Monte and Casa del Sol).
But the property traces its history all the way back to 1865, when William Randolph Hearst’s father George Hearst purchased the original forty thousand acre estate and Camp Hill, the site for the future castle.
In 1919, William Randolph Hearst inherited $11 million and the family’s estates — including the land where his future castle would sit on.
With his fortune, Hearst created a publishing empire of newspapers, magazines and radio stations.
To this day, the Hearst family remains involved in the ownership of Hearst Communications. Some of their common-day magazines include ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, O, the Oprah Magazine,and Men’s Health, as well as newspapers such as San Francisco Chronicle and The Advocate, and websites such as Delish.com and BestProducts.com.
But, back to the castle.
Due to the popularity of his publishing empire, Hearst was financially able to build his dream house. And with the help of “America’s first truly independent female architect,” Hearst and Julia Morgan began dreaming up Hearst Castle.
Morgan was a pioneer.
The first woman to study architecture at the School of Beaux-Arts in Paris and the first to have her own architectural practice in California, she was also the first female winner of the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal.
For over twenty years, Hearst and Morgan collaborated as close friends and business equals on the grand castle, making it her most well-known creation.
Hearst Castle’s many rooms and endless amenities
The end result was beyond spectacular: when it was finally completed, the Hearst estate had a total of 42 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, and 19 sitting rooms.
The sprawling grounds of the castle spanned 127 acres, encompassing gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, its own private theater (a rarity back in the day), and an airfield.
The pools alone are so magnificent they’d warrant a visit to the castle just to revel in their beauty.
The Roman Pool — the castle’s indoor pool — was built to mimic an ancient Roman bath.
Featuring shimmery glass mosaic tiles inspired by the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy (created by British muralist Camille Solon, according to Architectural Digest), the pool resembles a mesmerizing sea of blue and gold.
The outdoor Neptune Pool — which has its own Wikipedia page — was built and rebuilt three times, each version a larger size.
In its now final form, the pool is 104 feet long, surrounded by Ancient Roman Revival and Greek Revival style pavilions and colonnades with 17th-century bas-reliefs.
During Hearst’s lifetime, the property was also home to the world’s private zoo.
Even today, visitors who tour the castle are taken aback by its grandeur.
A tour of the grand rooms of the Hearst Castle will have you walking 2 to 3 miles to visit just the essential places, like the Assembly Room, Refectory, Morning Room, Billiard Room and Theater. But the effort would be worth it, as you’d be stepping in the footprints of some the most well-known people of the 20th century.
Who lived (and socialized) at Hearst Castle?
Hearst Castle was originally built as a family home for Hearst, his wife, vaudeville performer Millicent Willson, and their five sons.
But after years of Hearst’s longtime affair with actress Marion Davies, the couple separated.
With Millicent out of the picture, Davies moved into the castle and the couple hosted A-list parties with some of Hollywood’s elite stars, including Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, the Marx Brothers, Mary Pickford, Jean Harlow, Greta Garbo, Buster Keaton and Clark Gable, to name just a few.
Politicians such as US President Calvin Coolidge and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, as well as other notables including Charles Lindbergh, P. G. Wodehouse, and Bernard Shaw were also guests at the castle.
Typically, guests gathered at Casa Grande for beverages in the Assembly Room and dinner in the Refectory.
During the day, guests were left to fend for themselves and enjoy the elaborate grounds. They played tennis, went horseback riding, and played croquet or golf while enjoying the views.
Of course, everyone packed their swim trunks for a dip in the outdoor pool. And in the evening, guests watched the latest Hollywood films in the private theatre before retiring to the luxurious accommodations provided by the guest houses of Casa del Mar, Casa del Monte, and Casa del Sol.
None other than Charlie Chaplin once commented on the impeccable hospitality he experienced at Hearst Castle.
“Dinners were elaborate, pheasant, wild duck, partridge and venison,” Chaplin reportedly said. “[Yet served] amidst the opulence, we were served paper napkins, it was only when Mrs. Hearst was in residence that the guests were given linen ones.”
During the elaborate social gatherings, Morgan continued to build the castle until its completion in 1947.
Hearst died in 1951 at the age of 88.
What happened to the castle after Hearst’s death?
As they say, all good things must come to an end.
After Hearst’s death, his longtime lover, Marion Davies (who was excluded from his funeral) was forced to move out.
And his trusted architect and close friend, Julia Morgan, closed her San Francisco office after a successful 42-year career and reportedly became a virtual recluse until her death in 1957.
In 1958, the Hearst Corporation donated Hearst Castle — including the gardens and most of its contents — to the state of California.
That same year, Hearst Castle was opened to the public for the first time.
In 1972, Hearst Castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1976 it became a United States National Historic Landmark.
Currently, at Hearst Castle…
You’d think Hearst Castle would be a hot location for Hollywood films.
However, commercial filming at the castle is rare. Since 1957, only two big projects have been granted permission to film here.
In 1960, Stanley Kubrick’s film Spartacus used the castle to stand in as Crassus’ villa, and in 2014, Lady Gaga‘s music video for G.U.Y. was filmed at the Neptune and Roman Pools.
Since its opening in 1958, Hearst Castle has become a major California tourist attraction, attracting crowds of close to one million people every year.
Who owns Hearst Castle?
While the Hearst family maintains a connection with the castle, the estate is now a historical landmark owned and operated by the California State Park system.
In 2019, socialite Amanda Hearst, W. R. Hearst’s great-granddaughter, married Norwegian film director Joachim Rønning at the castle (which was closed to the public only for that one day).
But the castle is now a museum open to the public as a California State Park and registered as a National Historic Landmark and California Historical Landmark.
And it’s quite a spectacular spot.
From a north-facing terrace, visitors can look out into the Santa Lucia Mountains and as far as Junipero Serra Peak.
Not to mention the art.
There are four original 16th-century tapestries from the Deeds of Scipio Africanus series hanging on the walls of the Assembly Room, CNN reports.
With most of the original objects on display, Hearst Castle is a magnificent museum not to be missed if you’re in the San Simeon area.
And if you happen to be planning a visit to San Simeon, with the Hearst Castle as the main attraction, here’s a handy map with all your accommodation options nearby:
More stories you might like
The Iconic Beverly House: where Jackie O & JFK Honeymooned, ‘The Bodyguard’ was Filmed, and where Beyonce Shot ‘Black is King’ Bob Hope’s Sprawling Toluca Lake Estate is Back on the Market Asking $29M The Troubled History of Gianni Versace’s Mansion, a Miami Beach Treasure Spotlight On: Graceland, Elvis Presley’s House in Memphis
Former Pentagon official Brent Sadler reacts to President Biden bringing his climate agenda to the U.S. military on ‘The Evening Edit.’
FIRST ON FOX – State treasurers and other top finance officials from 27 states on Monday urged President Biden to end what they said was his “unconscionable” policy of forcing people with good credit scores to subsidize mortgage loans of higher-risk borrowers, and warned Biden’s plan would be a “disaster.”
Biden’s plan was outlined just a few weeks ago by the Federal Housing Agency (FHFA) and is set to take effect today. The plan is aimed at helping lower-income borrowers afford their monthly mortgage payments – it would do so by forcing people with good credit scores to pay more each month for their mortgages, extra payments that would be credited to the loans of higher-risk borrowers.
The controversial policy has been attacked by both Republicans and Democrats, including President Obama’s former Federal Housing Administrator. On Monday, financial officers from 27 states weighed in and said it was clear the policy was a mistake even before it takes effect.
SENATE GOP SLAMS ‘PERVERSE’ BIDEN RULE FORCING PEOPLE WITH GOOD CREDIT TO SUBSIDIZE HIGH-RISK MORTGAGES
US President Joe Biden speaks about the economy and the final rule implementing the American Rescue Plans Special Financial Assistance program, protecting multiemployer pension plans, at Max S. Hayes High School in Cleveland, Ohio, July 6, 2022. (Pho ((Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
“It is already clear that this new policy will be a disaster,” they wrote in a letter led by Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity that was sent to Biden and FHFA Director Sandra Thompson. “It amounts to a middle-class tax hike that will unfairly cost American families millions upon millions of dollars. And – at a time when the real estate market has already slowed considerably due to high interest rates – it will further depress home sales.”
“We urge you to take immediate action to end this unconscionable policy,” they wrote.
The state finance officers blasted the plan for turning the normal system of home buying incentives “upside down” by hurting people who make sound financial decisions.
BIDEN RULE WILL REDISTRIBUTE HIGH-RISK LOAN COSTS TO HOMEOWNERS WITH GOOD CREDIT
The policy was proposed by Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Sandra L. Thompson, and it is set to take effect May 1, 2023. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
“[T]the policy will take money away from the people who played by the rules and did things right – including millions of hardworking, middle-class Americans who built a good credit score and saved enough to make a strong down payment,” they wrote. “Incredibly, those who make down payments of 20 percent or more on their homes will pay the highest fees – one of the most backward incentives imaginable.”
It noted that the forced extra payments will be used to hand out “better mortgage rates to people with lower credit ratings. Others have said the plan would make it easier for people with shaky credit histories to afford more expensive mortgages, a move that could put more people at financial risk.
The state officials said that while expanding homeownership is a worthy goal, the forced subsidization of risky loans isn’t the way to do it.
BIDEN RULE WILL REDISTRIBUTE HIGH-RISK LOAN COSTS TO HOMEOWNERS WITH GOOD CREDIT
Biden has promoted a series of ‘equity’ initiatives during his two years in office. ((Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
“[T]he right way to solve that problem is not to use the power of the federal government to penalize hardworking, middle-class American families by confiscating their money and using it as a handout,” they wrote. “The right way is to implement policies which will reduce inflation, cut energy costs and bring lower interest rates.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The letter was signed by treasurers, auditors, commissioners of revenue and other top officials from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Northwestern Mutual Earns Record Showing on Latest National Ranking of Top Wealth Advisors MILWAUKEE, April 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Northwestern Mutual today celebrated more than 130 of its advisors – a company record – who earned a ranking on Forbes’ Top Wealth Advisors “Best-In-State” list. “In this time of bank sector volatility, inflation and potential … [Read more…]