Financial Abbreviations, Explained

Today’s Prep:

While financial planning has a lot of numbers involved, here are a few letters and abbreviations you should know, too. Eric explains several common financial abbreviations.

Equipping Points:

You know your ABCs but do you know what these four sets of letters mean? On today’s podcast, we talk about financial abbreviations that often get thrown around. We discuss what they mean and how it relates to your financial plan.

ETF stands for exchange traded fund. (Don’t confuse this with an EFT, which is your electronic funds transfer that happens when your paycheck comes into your account.) An ETF is a newer investment that has the diversification of a mutual fund and trades like a stock. These help asset managers build portfolios with diversification.

An RMD is something we talk about on the podcast a lot and if you’re retired, maybe you already know what it means. RMD is a required minimum distribution. The IRS requires you to withdraw from your qualified plans once you reach the age of 72 or face a penalty. Are you approaching RMDs?

Sometimes advisors will have a designation after their name. What does it mean if their title carries RIA? This is a registered investment advisor. It can get confusing, but what you want to make sure you look for an RIA that follows the fiduciary way of planning.

Do you know your FRA? This is your full retirement age. You can take Social Security as early as 62 to begin taking retirement and 70 is the latest time to delay it to for benefits. Depending on when you were born, the age you hit your FRA differs. Do you know the best time to take Social Security? Working with an advisor may help you figure out when the ideal time to withdraw Social Security in relation to the rest of your financial plan.

Listen to the entire episode or use on the timestamps below to skip ahead to a particular abbreviation.

1:05 – What is an ETF?

2:36 – Do you know what an RMD is?

4:22 – What about an RIA?

6:05 – What is an FRA?

 

Today’s Takeaway:

One of the things we do is help people understand and make it not as convoluted as it appears to be with Social Security.

-Eric Peterson

Related Resources:

Do You Agree or Disagree with this Retirement Advice?

Can You DIY Financial Planning?

Mailbag: Retirement Planning With Separate Bank Accounts

More From Eric:

The host: Eric Peterson - Contact - Call: (515) 226-1500

Subscribe To The Podcast:

Apple Podcasts  -  Google Podcasts  -  Spotify  -  Stitcher  -  iHeartRadio  -  TuneIn

Check out some other recent episodes

Mailbag: Should I Fire My Broker?

April 18, 2024

Navigating life’s financial crossroads can be tricky, especially when it involves your financial future. In this episode of Retirement Ready, Eric addresses these complex issues head-on. How do you best evaluate your broker and your investment performance against the S&P 500? Eric says a lot of that comes down to setting expectations and understanding the risks. Then, Holly wants to know what to consider before making a midlife career change.

Read More

Putting It Off

April 11, 2024

We are all guilty of procrastinating from time to time. Financially speaking, though, this can get you into a lot of trouble. Let’s talk about the areas where it might feel better to kick the can down the road.

Read More

Common Scams to Avoid

April 4, 2024

Americans over 60 have lost more than $3.1 billion in various forms of fraud and scams in the last 12 months! Today we talk through some of the common scams people unfortunately fall for and how you can stay vigilant against it.

Read More

Financial Strategies: Agree or Disagree?

March 28, 2024

There are a number of financial ideas that people have differing opinions on. Eric shares today which of these he agrees with or disagrees and why.

Read More

Divorce Mistakes

March 21, 2024

Unfortunately, divorce happens. When it does, no one wants to make costly financial mistakes amidst an already stressful time. Today, we talk about the mistakes that can happen and how to avoid them when it comes to dividing up your assets with a spouse.

Read More

Villains of the Financial World

March 14, 2024

Just like some of these cinematic villains, some of these financial elements may have a bit of nuance and history that can make it hard to label them all good or all bad.

Read More

Uses for Life Insurance

March 7, 2024

When you’re younger, life insurance is often thought of as an income replacement as needed. But as you get older and into retirement, you might find other uses for life insurance. When thinking ahead for your estate and how it passes to beneficiaries, life insurance can prove to be a useful tool. Currently, the proceeds from life insurance are tax-free. How does that change how you include it in your financial plan? Eric outlines some of the options and benefits life insurance can provide.

Read More

Understanding Financial Risk

February 29, 2024

What kind of risks do you take in your financial life? As you get less comfortable with things like climbing up ladders and riding on skateboards, you might also become less financially risky. When you enter retirement, how you view your money in the market changes significantly from your working years. It’s important to look at your portfolio to ensure your investments match your risk tolerance.

Read More

Mailbag: What Financial Advice Should I Share with My Grandchild?

February 22, 2024

Why is retirement planning different than the “good old days” that our parents and grandparents experienced? Things like pensions, Social Security, and even RMD age have changed. Is your financial plan set up accordingly or is it in need of some changes to match?

Read More

The Good Old Days

February 15, 2024

Why is retirement planning different than the “good old days” that our parents and grandparents experienced? Things like pensions, Social Security, and even RMD age have changed. Is your financial plan set up accordingly or is it in need of some changes to match?

Read More

Leave a Comment