Weekend reads: Retirement locations in 6 states

I’m 50 and considering an early retirement. I want a vibrant place with moderate-left demographics where I can stretch out my savings

We want to retire in the Carolinas or Virginias in a walkable town neither too large nor too small — where should we go?

Here’s what to buy when the stock market drops

Every day there is someone warning of a looming “correction” in the stock market, which is typically defined as a decline of at least 10%. This type of pullback is actually a typical event. It is guaranteed to happen over and over again if you are a long-term investor.

The S&P 500 Index SPX, +0.15% is down 2% this month. Michael Brush lists five stocks to keep buying even if the market continues to decline.

More on market fear and stocks declining:

• Put a ‘collar’ on your stocks to protect yourself from a market correction
• These stocks are in bear-market territory, but Wall Street expects them to soar as much as 68%
• ‘Buy the dip’ is a horrible stock-market strategy — and these charts prove it

When should you sell Tesla?

During 2020, shares of Tesla Inc. TSLA, +2.75% soared 743%, while the Ark Innovation ETF, with Tesla as its largest holding, jumped 153% and the S&P 500 Index returned 18% with dividends reinvested.

The story is different in 2021, even though the S&P 500 is up another 20%. So far this year, Tesla’s shares have risen 7% and the Ark Innovation ETF ARKK, -1.85% is down 4%.

If you have held Tesla’s stock since before 2020, you are sitting on tremendous gains. So is Cathie Wood, the founder and CEO of Ark Investment Management. Here’s what she said this week about when she might sell Tesla’s stock.

More about Tesla:

• Tesla, Fisker earn split views from these analysts
• Here’s why this super-successful growth investor no longer owns Tesla shares

Washington wants to tax the rich more — but doing so might affect other retirement savers

The White House’s Council of Economic Advisers and the Office of Management and Budget have analyzed the finances of the richest 400 U.S. families and concluded they paid income taxes at an average rate of only 8.2% from 2010 through 2018. Andrew Keshner explains the math behind that conclusion and what tax changes might be proposed as a result.

One sticking point for people in Washington who want the wealth to pay more taxes is the use of individual retirement accounts to hoard billions of dollars. Here’s how IRA investments might be limited.

Alessandra Malito covers a related topic: How new tax laws might affect Roth IRA conversions and how Roth 401(k) plans might be a solution for some retirement savers.

More about Social Security benefits from an ex-spouse

Jim Blankenship recently explained how some retirees are eligible to receive Social Security benefits based on what an ex-spouse earned. This week he goes further to address what happens if that ex-spouse dies.

The Fed will taper

On Wednesday, the Federal Open Market Committee released its policy statement and said “a moderation in the pace of asset purchases may soon be warranted.” That signals a slowdown in bond purchases by the Federal Reserve and rising long-term interest rates. Talk of higher rates can hurt stock-market performance, but the S&P 500 rose 1% that day.

Even though Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has been considered “dovish,” favoring an extended period of low interest rates and a continued expansion of the money supply to spur economic growth, Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton, believes “hawks rule the roost” at the Fed.

Robinhood’s IPOs

Users of the Robinhood Markets Inc. HOOD, -2.24% trading app have access to initial public offerings and have an advantage over customers of some competing brokerage services: no account minimum to participate in an IPO. Michael Brush looks at the advantages, disadvantages and risks of Robinhood’s IPOs.

Here’s are updates about three IPOs from Tonya Garcia:

• A.K.A. Brands shares slump in trading debut as company highlights risk that eco-conscious Gen Z shoppers will reject its fast-fashion business model
• Brilliant Earth skyrockets 27% in trading debut
• Rao’s sauce, Noosa yogurt parent Sovos Brands soars 21% as trading begins after IPO

What can be done about the high cost of hearing aids?

In the U.S., getting a set of hearing aids can be incredibly expensive. But soon they may be available over-the-counter at a reasonable price.

Will they really quit?

Beware of survey results screaming that respondents “say” something. They haven’t said anything — they responded to a question.

There have been reports of hospital staff walkouts over COVID-19 vaccine mandates and a survey indicating as many has half of unvaccinated workers would rather quit their jobs than shots required by their employers.

But how many really would quit? Jack J. Barry , Ann Christiano and Annie Neimand of the University of Florida show that reality is different from a survey.

A new use for blockchain tokens

Frances Yue covers what may turn out to be a transformational technology using blockchain technology, which drives bitcoin BTCUSD, +0.02% — the use of tokens to represent stocks, bonds, real estate and other assets.

More about crypto: Key detail in China’s crypto crackdown is callout of Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether

Robocalls are declining, but watch out …

You must be sick of the fake calls offering extend car warranties or other scams. The good news is their number is dropping, thanks to new technology. But robotexts are increasing. Here’s how to protect yourself.

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