ObamaCare: The Promise & The Reality of Family Health Care Spending

Social Security Trust Fund to Go Bust in the Year 2033, Not 2041...

Social Security trustees announced in 2014 that the trust fund backing the payment of Social Security benefits would be ZERO in 2033. 

A zero trust fund does not mean the payment of Social Security benefits would also go to zero, but rather would drop to 77% of their originally promised levels through the year 2088. 

When the trustees released their report in 2007 (7 years ago), the Social Security Trust Fund was projected to be depleted in 2041.


Source: Social Security Trustees 

Vantage Point UPDATE: Intermediate-Term and Long-Term Trend Analysis

On Friday, November 21, the S&P 500 closed @ 2064, and that was...
  
   +7.4% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1922.
   +6.6% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1935.
   +3.9% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1987.


Therefore, the INTERMEDIATE-Term trend is BULLISH
and the LONG-Term trend is UP.

Medicare: 7 Things You Don't Know - #1. Not Everything Is Covered

Couples retiring at age 65 this year are expected to incur $220,000 in out-of-pocket health care costs on average during their retirement years, INCLUDING deductibles, co-payments and services NOT covered by Medicare such as dental, vision and podiatry expenses. 

The estimate DOES NOT include Long-Term Care (LTC) costs.

Source: Fidelity Investments’ 2014 Retirement Health Care Cost Estimate.

Price of Crude Oil is Dropping Because U.S. Crude Oil Production is Soaring!

U.S. Makes Up Just 4% of The World's Population

The combined population of China and India (2.67 trillion) makes up 37% of the world’s population (7.26 trillion).

The USA’s population (323 million) makes up just 4% of the world’s population.

Vantage Point UPDATE: Intermediate-Term and Long-Term Trend Analysis

On Friday, November 14, the S&P 500 closed @ 2040, and that was...
  
   +6.4% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1918.
   +5.5% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1934.
   +2.8% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1985.


Therefore, the INTERMEDIATE-Term trend is NEUTRAL
and the LONG-Term trend is UP.

Medicare: 7 Things You Don't Know - #2. Wealthy Pay More For Coverage

Health care costs could be even higher for wealthier retirees.

Medicare premiums are subject to a monthly surcharge when Modified Adjusted Gross Income — INCLUDING Tax-Free Municipal Bond Interest — exceeds $85,000 for individuals or $170,000 for married couples.

4th Quarter Seasonal Strength Is Persistent...

Over the last 25 years (i.e., 1989-2013), the S&P 500 has gained an average of +5.1% in the final 3 months of the year, i.e., October-November-December.

Nearly 50% of the S&P 500’s total return achieved over the last 25 years (i.e., 1989-2013) has been produced in the final 3 months of the year.


Source: BTN Research

Vantage Point UPDATE: Intermediate-Term and Long-Term Trend Analysis

On Friday, November 7, the S&P 500 closed @ 2032, and that was...
  
   +6.0% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1917.
   +5.7% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1923.
   +2.8% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1976.


Therefore, the INTERMEDIATE-Term trend is NEUTRAL
and the LONG-Term trend is UP.

Medicare: 7 Things You Don't Know - #3. Health Savings Accounts No Longer Apply

Consumers can enroll in Medicare Part A, which covers hospitalization and is FREE, when they turn 65.

But once they enroll, they will NO longer be able to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA).

S&P 500 Earnings Growth is Picking Up Steam...

Vantage Point UPDATE: Intermediate-Term and Long-Term Trend Analysis

On Friday, October 31, the S&P 500 closed @ 2018, and that was...
  
   +6.4% ABOVE its 12-Month moving average which stood @ 1896.
   +5.3% ABOVE its 40-Week moving average which stood @ 1917.
   +2.3% ABOVE its 10-Week moving average which stood @ 1973.


Therefore, the INTERMEDIATE-Term trend is NEUTRAL
and the LONG-Term trend is UP.