The Perfect 401(k) Storm
Two River Times The Week of January 29th – February 5th, 2010
FIn 1982, when 401(k) plans were officially sanctioned by Congress1, the S&P 500 index had been struggling to gain traction for more than a decade. Back then, few could have imagined one of the longest bull markets in U.S. history was about to begin! By the time the new millennium arrived on January 1, 2000, the S&P 500 had generated an average annual total return during the ‘80s and ‘90s of more than 17.5%,4 according to Vanguard! read more*

N.J. 401(k) plans see decreased participation, lower employer contributions NJBiz News article by Andrew Kitchenman, 10/1/2009
Fewer New Jersey workers are participating in their company 401(k) plans and Fewer Employers Are Making Contributions, according to a survey by O’Meara Financial Group. read more*

The Federal Reserve’s Unusual Move to Buy Treasury Securities Could Spark the Economy
Two River Times The Week of August 21—28, 2009
Although the Federal Reserve’s recent decision to buy $300 billion in Treasuries in 2009 was greeted with some surprise, Fed watchers know the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has mulled the move for months. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke first suggested the move in December 2008 in a speech discussing the Fed’s expanding toolbox. read more*

Plan for Tomorrow Today
Two River Times The Week of August 7 – August 14, 2009
The financial meltdown is a stern reminder that failing to plan for low probability events may lead to very detrimental consequences.

The large decline in the stock market coupled with crippling job losses was a double whammy that took many households by surprise. For the unprepared, it was a very rude shock from which it may take years to recover. read more*

In Difficult Times, What Money Message are you Sending your Children?
Two River Times The Week of June 19 - June 26, 2009
In these tough times some parents can still afford luxuries, but no one wants to send the wrong signals to their children and friends in a struggling economy. Instead of purchasing a high priced luxury vehicles, many are driving their car another year, and not taking the expensive vacation. read more*

Biz Brain: Decreasing Credit Card Limits
The Star-Ledger Date: 2009/05/31 Sunday Page: 005 Section: Business Edition: State/ROP
The higher the utilization rate you have and the closer you are to maxing out your credit lines, the more your score will be hurt, says certified financial planner Margaret O'Meara with O'Meara Financial Group in Red Bank. read more*

Biz Brain: Investing In a Single Mutual Fund Company;
The Star-Ledger Date: 2009/05/03 Sunday Page: 005 Section: BUSINESS Edition: FINAL
O'Meara says you can own three mutual funds that are like different flavors of ice cream with the same core group of stocks as the ingredients. read more*

What can we Learn From Lean Times?
The Week of May 22 – May 27, 2009, Two River Times
2008 was a difficult year for most investors. Hardly any asset class was spared and even well-designed asset allocation plans, meant to reduce volatility, have not weathered this storm. read more*

Ask the BizBrain
Sunday, March 22, 2009, The Star Ledger
Question and Answer column highlights Margaret O'Meara's answers to the Question: "Due to the bailout, the U.S. is printing too much money. Surely inflation will follow. How can we protect our cash savings from inflation. read more*

Get A Clue About Target Funds: Pack your investment toolbox with a good navigation plan
by Karin Price Mueller, Friday, February 27, 2009, The Star Ledger
Adviser and academic studies agree that the key to reaching your investment goals is asset allocation -- the percentage of stocks, bonds and cash in your portfolio -- and not the specific investments you choose. read more*

O’Meara Financial Group warns Most Americans Not Saving Enough Money: Will Be Unprepared Financially for Retirement
Many Americans will need at least $1M in retirement savings to maintain their current standard of living in retirement. In a recent survey conducted by Consumer Affairs, fifty-two percent of Americans say that they aren't saving enough money, and many are not saving at all. read more*

O’Meara Financial Group Cautions Corporations about New Ruling Which Allows Employees to Sue Employers over Lost 401(k) Plans; Assures Companies They Can Take Protective Measures To Minimize Liability
A recent court ruling in Texas allowed an employee to sue an employer over losses in their 401(k) plan. This ruling, a legal first, opens the way for future lawsuits against companies by their employees. read more*

Margaret O’Meara, CFP®, AIFA™ Earns PLANSPONSOR Retirement Professional Designation
Margaret O’Meara has been awarded the PLANSPONSOR Retirement Professional (PRP) TM designation from the PLANSPONSOR Institute. This organization represents the education arm of PLANSPONSOR, the nation’s leading resource for pension and benefits-related news, information, and tools. read more*

Margaret O’Meara, President of The O’Meara Financial Group has been named to NJBIZ’s prestigious list of 40 Under 40 for 2005. read more*

Executives Who Review Their Company’s Retirement Programs are in the Minority, finds the O’Meara Financial Group
The O’Meara Financial Group has found that executives who review their company’s retirement programs are in the minority. “Executives have so many responsibilities that they are unable to review their plans and make changes that can benefit their employees,” says Margaret O’Meara, President of O’Meara Financial Group. Ms. O’Meara sites six steps that can enhance a company’s 401(k), Profit Sharing or Defined Benefit Programs. read more*

Deadline Approaches for Investment in 2004 Individual Retirement Accounts; O’Meara Financial Group Cites Five Reasons to Fund Your Plan Now!
The O’Meara Financial Group is encouraging individuals to invest in their IRA’s before the April 15th deadline. Although working adults may be covered by corporate retirement plans, funding an IRA annually can help them to create a nest egg to help maintain their lifestyle and independence. read more*

Social Security Benefits Moved From Age 65 to Age 66! Are you Prepared for Retirement?
As today’s younger population ages, there are increasing concerns about the availability of funds for future retirees. Currently, full Social Security benefits have gone from being paid at age 65 to age 66 and will continue to be scaled back as younger workers retire.read more*

O’Meara Financial Group Moves to Larger Offices read more*

O’Meara Financial Group Encourages Businesses to Better Prepare Employees For Retirement. read more*

401K Are You Prepared Your Financial Future? by Marget O'Meara appeared in The Two River Times, the week of March 14 - 21, 2003 (reprinted by permission).

Margaret O’Meara Awarded the ACCREDITED INVESTMENT FIDUCIARY AUDITOR^TM Designation read more*

Margaret O’Meara appointed Vice President of Corporate and Economic Development for the Central Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. read more*

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