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INCOME, RETIREMENT, STRATEGIES

Robert Carlson

Editor,

Retirement Watch

  • Editor of Retirement Watch Since 1991
  • Author of Several Books & Contributor to Forbes
  • Chairman Fairfax Co. Employees' Retirement System

About Robert

Robert Carlson is editor of the monthly newsletter and website, Retirement Watch. He is chairman of the board of trustees of the Fairfax County Employees' Retirement System, which has over $3 billion in assets, and was a member of the board of trustees of the Virginia Retirement System, which oversaw $42 billion in assets, from 2001-2005. He co-authored Personal Finance After 50 for Dummies (with Eric Tyson). Previous books include Invest Like a Fox...Not Like a Hedgehog and The New Rules of Retirement.

Robert's Articles

March 2025 contained significant anniversaries of major events. All these anniversaries show that improbable and unexpected events not only can happen but DO happen with some frequency. That’s why I always recommend having some diversification and balance in your investment portfolio and flexibility in your financial plans, writes Bob Carlson, editor of Retirement Watch.
Is the Era of Conglomerates Over? When I was making my way through college, business conglomerates were the big thing and continued to be well-regarded for a long time. But some high-profile changes have cast doubt on conglomerates. Honeywell International Inc. (HON) is an example, remarks Rob Carlson, editor of Retirement Watch.
Many people make mistakes with their retirement finances because they pay too much attention to the financial media, especially cable television shows. The goal of most financial media isn’t to educate. It’s to attract and retain viewers, which they generally do by stimulating emotions, especially fear and excitement, advises Bob Carlson, editor of Retirement Watch.
The yield curve is about to turn positive, and that could mean a widely followed recession indicator gave a false signal for most of the last two years. The yield curve is a plot of the yields on Treasury debt of different durations. A normal yield curve is positively sloped, explains Bob Carlson, editor of Retirement Watch.

Robert's Videos

Robert Carlson, retirement planning expert, explains the Secure Act and how it could affect your retirement planning.
Robert Carlson provides strategies for dealing with required money distributions after retirement. He also provides strategies to reduce tax burden
Robert Carlson of Retirement Watch describes the new law--The Secure Act--which will restrict the use of the "Stretch IRA."
When it comes to retirement planning few of us think about digital assets. We should. Digital assets could include valuable digital currencies only accessible through our computers.

Robert's Books

Robert Carlson

The New Rules of Retirement: Strategies for a Secure Future

Robert C. Carlson uses proven, profitable techniques to coordinate all the factors that lead to financial security and independence. You'll learn how much you really need to save for retirement, how to invest that nest egg before and during retirement, and how to establish a wise and sustainable spending strategy. 
Robert Carlson

Personal Finance After 50 For Dummies

Numerous life changes come with the territory of getting older—as we're reminded every day by anti-aging campaigns—but one change the media doesn't often mention is the need for a shifting approach to personal financial management. Personal Finance After 50 For Dummies, 2nd Edition offers the targeted information you need to make informed decisions regarding your investments, spending, and how to best protect your wealth.

Newsletter Contributions

Retirement Watch

Published every Sunday and delivered to your email inbox. In each issue, Bob Carlson shares valuable tips and actionable insights on retirement topics like estate planning, taxes, IRAs, and many more.

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