Financial Advisor Brian Raleigh discusses fears of inflation and how it could affect retirement planning.

Cary, NC – January 19, 2013 – Brian Raleigh, Founder of TruWealth Strategies in Cary, North Carolina, recently explained inflation, its historical effect on the economy and how it affects our retirement planning today. Mr. Raleigh explains:

Inflation is a multi-dimensional thing. It is not just the increase in prices.  Most Americans would agree that their view of inflation has to do with the prices of certain items and if the prices of those items they buy most frequently are up from the prior year – then they are dealing with the effects of inflation.

Price Inflation hurts retirement because most retirees live off a fixed income, so it is especially painful if the interest rates available from safe investments and bank-offered savings plans are low. It is a classic case of, “costs are up and revenue is flat.” However, there is a lot more to it.

Monetary Inflation is a whole different type of inflation. It is a simple inflation to track because it simply means the Government is asking the Federal Reserve to print more money. They are asking to inflate the amount of money available. This idea is, in historical terms, relatively new monetary inflation started during the Kennedy Administration and has been a steady policy in Washington since it started, regardless of political party. Democrats have inflated money supply just as the Republicans have inflated the money supply. And you know what? We, as Americans, like it. More money around equals more prosperity … As long as the money holds its value.

Monetary inflation likely played a key role in the decision to abandon the gold standard in the US, on  August 15, 1971, leading to the “Nixon Shock”.  In essence, the change to a floating exchange rate in the US represented a form of reset for our own currency right here in the United States.

What does this mean to us today? Mr. Raleigh continued:

The debate will continue to rage on because although history says one thing you cannot ignore the following and very recent financial report:

10:12AM EST December 13, 2012

The CPI (Consumer Price Index), out Friday, sizes up prices paid by consumers. It’s expected to fall 0.2% for November.

Even the so-called “core” CPI, which omits prices for food and fuel, is expected to rise just 0.1%. This suggests possible deflation and not inflation at all even at a time where the amount of Government debt is reaching nearly unbelievable levels and the Federal Reserve is running the printing press 24/7.

The important thing to consider is the possibility of inflation and, more specifically, what are you doing with your finances to manage that possibility? If you don’t have a plan of action, you may consider some amount of your retirement money positioned to grow with inflation. For long term planning, it is likely a good idea since prices tend to go up over time.

For more information on how Brian Raleigh can help, please visit www.truwealth.us

About Brian Raleigh:

Brian began as an advisor in November of 1995 and spent more than eight years where he often ranked in the top 1 percent in his company. In 2004, he became an independent advisor and formed his own firm, TruWealth Strategies in Cary, NC.

In addition to keeping his clients satisfied, Brian’s proud to be finishing up a book. Keeping with his sports background, the book is titled, “Rounding Third and Heading for Home.” It’s due out this summer and discusses mistakes people can’t afford to make when they retire. He also reveals strategies on how to lower taxes, manage market risks, and create a consistent income stream in retirement that never runs out!

Brian obtained his LUTCF in 1999, with a focus on Estate and Business Planning. He is also a member of the Better Business Bureau and National Ethics Bureau. Brian is an active member in the Raleigh Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (RAIFA), where he served on the board for four years, and is a member of NAIFA the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors since 1997.