Clark Howard

Clark Behind The Headlines

From HLN's Money Expert Clark Howard

HELP ME CLARK!
From HLN's Money Expert Clark Howard

Sheldon:
My wife opened an IRA by a 401k rollover when she retired. Can she roll over money from a different IRA and mix the two? Does the IRS frown on this, even though all would be into a tax deferred account?

HELP ME CLARK! From HLN's Money Expert Clark Howard Pennie: My husband recently retired from civil service and has $181,000 in his Thrift Savings Plan. We aren't sure whether to move this with our stockbroker into the market, or we have been offered a variable annuity through our bank. The money would more than double if something were to happen to him and if we decided in the near future that we didn't need this, we could cash it in with no surrender fee and the money would have earned 5% during this time. What do you suggest that we do with this money to earn its greatest potential at this time of our lives? Clark: First things first: I'm so impressed with how much money you saved with the TSP. Second, the TSP is the best retirement plan offered in America. Of the three options you have, you didn't mention the third one: to leave the money in the TSP. And I would avail yourself of that, because no other option is as low-cost for your money as that. As for a variable annuity, don't walk but run away from the bank officer who encouraged you to do a variable annuity. Those are massive fee investments, and I use the word "investment" loosely. It would be dangerous to your wallet.

HELP ME CLARK!
From HLN's Money Expert Clark Howard

Laverne:
I'd like to retire this year, but I still have a small mortgage. I've heard of reverse mortgages, but is there such a thing as "deferred payment" options, to discontinue making house payments? At my death, my heirs would pay off the balance plus any interest which might have accrued. I have no other debt.

HELP ME CLARK!

From HLN's Money Expert Clark Howard

Clark Behind The Headlines
From HLN's Money Expert Clark Howard

We use arbitrary time periods to try to encapsulate things.

HELP ME CLARK!
From HLN's Money Expert Clark Howard

Vanessa:
I've been in my current home 12 years. I am trying to get a mortgage loan to purchase a bigger home. The bank wants to send me through FHA. My middle credit score is 576. I need to be at 620 for FHA to consider my loan. How can I raise my score in as little as 60 days?