Rob Williams | Charles Schwab

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Managing Director, Financial Planning, Retirement Income and Wealth Management

Certified Financial Planner (CFP®),

Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®),

Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®)

Schwab Center for Financial Research

Rob Williams

Rob Williams, CFP, RICP, CPWA, and his team develop and deliver research, commentary, and advice on financial planning, income planning, and wealth management. This information includes key topics to assist individual investors and advisors to continue to grow, but also protect and use, wealth, during their life and legacy.

Rob researches and publishes insights regularly on Schwab's Insights & Education and is regularly quoted in financial media including The Wall Street Journal, MoneyWatch, Kiplinger's, U.S. News & World Report, Investor's Business Daily, and other publications. He holds an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A. from Princeton University. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®) professional and holds the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP^®) and Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA^®) designations.

Cash

How Much Cash Is Too Much Cash?

Today's relatively high yields from savings accounts and other cash investments are tempting, but don't overdo it.

Retirement Income

Beyond the 4% Rule

How much can you spend without running out of money? The 4% rule is a popular rule of thumb, but you can do better. Here are guidelines for finding your personalized spending rate.

Investments

How Do You Define Investment Risk?

There are different measures of risk, and all can be helpful. For most investors, we suggest adding the risk of not achieving goals.

Retirement Income

Can You Afford to Retire Early?

Here's how to figure out how your budget and savings would be affected if you had to retire earlier than anticipated.

Financial Planning

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Large Portfolio Withdrawal

How to manage a large portfolio withdrawal without throwing the rest of your finances out of whack.

Retirement

How SECURE 2.0 Act May Help Boost Your Retirement

The sweeping new law will continue to be implemented over the next few years. Here are four areas in which your retirement savings could benefit.

Financial Planning

Why Asset-Backed Borrowing May Make Sense Now

Despite today's relatively high rates, asset-backed borrowing could still make sense to meet your short-term liquidity needs.

Health Care

Potential Long-Term Benefits of Investing Your HSA

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are for more than just routine medical expenses. By investing a portion of your account, you can potentially grow your funds tax-free.

Retirement

How to Stay on Top of Your Retirement Savings

Ever wonder if you're on track to reach your retirement goal? Here's how to calculate how much you should have saved by now.

Social Security

Social Security FAQs

We answer common questions about Social Security to help you maximize your retirement benefits.