The next decade promises to offer both incredible opportunity and challenge for all of us. Technologies like artificial intelligence (and its close friend, machine learning) will no longer be considered new but will instead be at the heart of some huge disruptive changes that will run right through our society. In particular, AI will start to enable the automation of many things that were previously deemed too complex or even too human.

Well see these changes at work traditional professions like accountancy, lawyers and others will, over time, see significant portions of what they do be taken over by virtual robots. Vocations such as lorry drivers, taxi drivers and even chefs may disappear as machines are introduced to perform the same function but with more consistent results and less risk.

Well also see these changes at home as AI will bring a host of new changes to how we live. AI will help us speak any language to anyone in the world, it will help us discover and create new content and maybe even help us decide what food to eat and when we should rest (and for how long!) in order to help us live lives that are not just more healthy, but more productive and of course more fun.

Well (hopefully) see these changes at school and in education too when we finally realise that in the 21st century, simply knowing stuff is no longer enough. Instead we might seek to use AI to build personalised learning schemes that tailor learning for every unique student such that they can reach their true potential regardless of their background, ability to learn or particular strengths and weaknesses. This could also mean the end of exams and tests as we know it as we move away from the unnecessary stress and futility of a single measure of knowledge taken at a single moment in time to a world of continuous assessment, where the system is able to measure progress as a by-product of the work that the student does every single day.

As for the technology itself, its going to continue to get quicker, cheaper, more powerful and smaller. Your huge smartphone may not be so huge by the time we get to 2030, in fact it may not be a phone at all but instead a small implant that you have inserted under your skin, just like the one we use today for our pets

Well also see the introduction of new game changing technologies like Quantum Computing. Dont be fooled, this is not just another computer but faster, the power and potential Quantum Computing offers us is almost unimaginable. Todays quantum computers are limited, complex machines that require an extreme environment in which to run, (most early quantum computers need to run at -273 degrees centigrade so dont think youre going to see one in your office or your home any time soon. But they are important because of the scale at which they operate. In simple terms, the power of todays quantum computers is measured at around 50 cubits (a cubit is a quantum computers measure of power, a bit like the digital equivalent of horse power), scientists believe that when we can get Quantum computers to 500 cubits, those computers will be able to answer as many questions as there are atoms in the world and at the same time! This is a kind of computational power that we cant even begin to imagine.

Oh and robots too. These wont be the industrial robots youre used to seeing, they might not even be the science fiction looking robots (you know, the ones that start as friends and then take over the world). These robots are going to be not just our friends, theyll be a part of our families. Its already started. If you have a smart speaker at home, youve got an early ancestor of something that will end up becoming your own personal C3PO, not just there to help you but there to provide companionship and friendship while you go about your busy lives.

But all this wont be without some risks.

Massive parts of our current labour market will be challenged by the rise of the machines. Our kids will continue to lack the skills theyre going to need to thrive and we adults are going to struggle to make sense of it all at home and at work.

The machines wont be perfect either, seeing as theyre created by humans, they end up with some human problems as a result, algorithmic bias will be one of the defining challenges of 2020 and beyond and its going to take a lot of human effort to get all of us to a point where we can trust our lives to the algorithms alone.

The good news in all of this is that the end result is still ultimately down to us humans. The real answer to what 2020 will hold for technology and how it affects us in our everyday lives will continue to be all about how we humans choose to use it. Im hopeful for a new era in 2020, one where we turn the corner in our relationship with technology and look not for dystopia, but instead we seek to ensure everyone has the right skills and ambition to build the utopia we deserve. To get there we need to teach our kids (and ourselves!) to break free of the technology that traps and disconnects us, an instead use the same technology to elevate what we could achieve not by replacing us, but by freeing us to do all of the amazing things that the technology alone cannot do. The best future awaits those that can combine the best of technological capability with the best of human ability.

Dave Coplin is former Chief Envisioning Officer for Microsoft UK, he has written two books, worked all over the world with organisations, individuals and governments all with the goal of demystifying technology and championing it as a positive transformation in our society.

Excerpt from:

2020 and beyond: Tech trends and human outcomes - Accountancy Age

IBM (NYSE:IBM) and the University ofTokyo announced today an agreement to partner to advance quantum computing and make it practical for the benefit of industry, science and society.

IBM and theUniversity of Tokyowill form theJapan IBM Quantum Partnership, a broad national partnership framework in which other universities, industry, and government can engage. The partnership will have three tracks of engagement: one focused on the development of quantum applications with industry; anotheron quantum computing system technology development; and the third focused on advancing the state of quantum science and education.

Under the agreement, anIBM Q System One, owned and operated by IBM, willbe installed in an IBM facility inJapan. It will be the first installation of its kind in the region and only the third in the world followingthe United StatesandGermany. The Q System One will be used to advance research in quantum algorithms, applications and software, with the goal of developing the first practical applications of quantum computing.

IBM and theUniversity of Tokyowill also create a first-of-a-kind quantumsystem technology center for the development of hardware components and technologies that will be used in next generation quantum computers. The center will include a laboratory facility to develop and test novel hardware components for quantum computing, including advanced cryogenic and microwave test capabilities.

IBM and theUniversity of Tokyowill also directly collaborateon foundational research topics important to the advancement of quantum computing, and establish a collaboration space on the University campus to engage students, faculty, and industry researchers with seminars, workshops, and events.

Quantum computing is one of the most crucial technologies in the coming decades, which is why we aresetting up this broad partnership framework with IBM, who is spearheading its commercial application,said Makoto Gonokami, the President of theUniversity of Tokyo. We expect this effortto further strengthenJapans quantum research and developmentactivities and build world-class talent.

Developed byresearchers and engineers fromIBM Researchand Systems, the IBM Q System One is optimized for the quality, stability, reliability, and reproducibility of multi-qubit operations. IBM established theIBM Q NetworkTM, a community of Fortune 500 companies, startups, academic institutions and research labs working with IBM to advance quantum computing and explore practical applications for business and science.

This partnership will sparkJapansquantum researchcapabilities by bringing together experts from industry, government and academia to build and grow a community that underpins strategically significant research and development activities to foster economic opportunities acrossJapan, saidDario Gil, Director of IBM Research.

Advances in quantum computing could open the door to future scientific discoveries such as new medicines and materials, improvements in the optimization of supply chains, and new ways to model financial data to better manage and reduce risk.

TheUniversity of Tokyowill lead theJapan IBM Quantum Partnership and bring academic excellence from universities and prominent research associations together with large-scale industry, small and medium enterprises, startups as well as industrial associations from diverse market sectors. A high priority will be placed on building quantum programming as well as application and technology development skills and expertise.

For more about IBM Q:https://www.ibm.com/quantum-computing/

AboutUniversity of Tokyo

TheUniversity of Tokyowas established in 1877 as the first national university inJapan. As a leading research university, theUniversity of Tokyooffers courses in essentially all academic disciplines at both undergraduate and graduate levels and conducts research across the full spectrum of academic activity. The University aims to provide its students with a rich and varied academic environment that ensures opportunities for both intellectual development and the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills.

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IBM and the U. of Tokyo launch quantum computing initiative for Japan | - University Business

IBM (NYSE: IBM) and the University of Tokyo announced today an agreement to partner to advance quantum computing and make it practical for the benefit of industry, science and society.

IBM and the University of Tokyo will form the Japan IBM Quantum Partnership, a broad national partnership framework in which other universities, industry, and government can engage. The partnership will have three tracks of engagement: one focused on the development of quantum applications with industry; another on quantum computing system technology development; and the third focused on advancing the state of quantum science and education.

Under the agreement, an IBM Q System One, owned and operated by IBM, will be installed in an IBM facility in Japan. It will be the first installation of its kind in the region and only the third in the world following the United States and Germany. The Q System One will be used to advance research in quantum algorithms, applications and software, with the goal of developing the first practical applications of quantum computing.

IBM and the University of Tokyo will also create a first-of-a-kind quantum system technology center for the development of hardware components and technologies that will be used in next generation quantum computers. The center will include a laboratory facility to develop and test novel hardware components for quantum computing, including advanced cryogenic and microwave test capabilities.

IBM and the University of Tokyo will also directly collaborate on foundational research topics important to the advancement of quantum computing, and establish a collaboration space on the University campus to engage students, faculty, and industry researchers with seminars, workshops, and events.

"Quantum computing is one of the most crucial technologies in the coming decades, which is why we are setting up this broad partnership framework with IBM, who is spearheading its commercial application," said Makoto Gonokami, the President of the University of Tokyo. "We expect this effort to further strengthen Japan's quantum research and development activities and build world-class talent".

Developed by researchers and engineers from IBM Research and Systems, the IBM Q System One is optimized for the quality, stability, reliability, and reproducibility of multi-qubit operations. IBM established the IBM Q NetworkTM, a community of Fortune 500 companies, startups, academic institutions and research labs working with IBM to advance quantum computing and explore practical applications for business and science.

"This partnership will spark Japan's quantum research capabilities by bringing together experts from industry, government and academia to build and grow a community that underpins strategically significant research and development activities to foster economic opportunities across Japan", said Dario Gil, Director of IBM Research.

Advances in quantum computing could open the door to future scientific discoveries such as new medicines and materials, improvements in the optimization of supply chains, and new ways to model financial data to better manage and reduce risk.

The University of Tokyo will lead the Japan IBM Quantum Partnership and bring academic excellence from universities and prominent research associations together with large-scale industry, small and medium enterprises, startups as well as industrial associations from diverse market sectors. A high priority will be placed on building quantum programming as well as application and technology development skills and expertise.

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IBM and the University of Tokyo Launch Quantum Computing Initiative for Japan - Quantaneo, the Quantum Computing Source

Its not easy to say that any particular space or astronomy development was the most important in a given year. But if we had to choose some highlights, wed opt for these unforgettable events and findings.

You probably know the broad outline of the story: 66 million years ago, a giant meteorite landed in what is now the Gulf of Mexico, and ended the dinosaurs. This year, various teams of scientists, working independently, helped fill in the picture of exactly what happened on that fateful day.

The biggest discovery was a site in North Dakota that preserved a jumble of fossilized fish and plant life that may have been thrown together by a tsunami on the very day of the meteorite strike. Closer to the impact site, scientists also cataloged a geological timeline of disasters that befell Earth that day. And researchers detailed evidence found in Europe that the Chicxulub event acidified the ocean in a flash, extinguishing much of Earths ocean life at the time.

An exhaustive analysis of hundreds of bird species in the United States and Canada contained a warning: The majority of bird species are in decline, many by huge numbers. The likely culprits? Habitat loss and pesticides.

This year we met a new extinct human relative, Homo luzonensis. It was discovered in a cave on Luzon Island in the Philippines, and adds further complexity to the story of human evolution.

It really does. Clive Wynne, a psychologist specializing in dog behavior, contends that what makes your furry friend special is not its intellect but its ability to bond with you. And not just with you. The dogs ability to bond across species with sheep, goats, even (horrors!) cats makes them an evolutionary success story.

Your cat may or may not like-like you. But it is strongly bonded to you, and in an unfamiliar situation, when it feels threatened, it is likely to turn to you for comfort.

Almond milk is over. Oat milk is canceled. Whats in? Spider milk. Burying beetle milk. Great white shark milk. Flamingo milk. Which raises the question: what exactly is milk? Not all experts agree, but some scientists say that if a substance is synthesized or highly modified by a parent, and the offsprings life depends on it, thats milk. Now excuse us while we put out cookies and pink flamingo milk for Santa.

At home, Russia, like the United States and other countries around the world, has embraced the promise of 5G, the next generation of cellphone technology. But in the U.S., RT America, the broadcast network run by the Russian government, has been warning American viewers that the telecommunications technology will kill and disable children. Many alarming claims about 5G technology are linked to bad, debunked science. The U.S. intelligence agencies describe RT America as the Kremlins principal international propaganda outlet. The network has taken aim at fracking, vaccination and even the U.S. electoral process; now it has applied its playbook to cellphones.

Thirteen species of salmon and steelhead trout are considered threatened or endangered in the Northwests Columbia basin region. Wild Chinook salmon could disappear within the next 20 years, according to one Forest Service expert. The fish are a keystone food source for other species, and an endangered population of orcas may be starving for lack of enough wild salmon to eat. Many scientists favor removing dams on some rivers to save the orcas and the fish. But the idea faces resistance from government agencies that manage the rivers.

A video of salmon traveling through a long tube went viral in 2019. You probably watched it. But the Whooshh cannon its actual name is a serious tool that conservationists are testing not only to help fish migrate, but to contain invasive carp that foul North American waterways. If it doesnt work, scientists have other ideas, like koi herpes.

Robert Ballard, the ocean explorer who found the wreck of the Titanic, set his sights on solving the enigma of Amelia Earharts fate. Following an irresistible hint, his crew headed to the Pacific island nation of Kiribati, spending weeks searching for her crashed plane by air, land and sea. They returned empty-handed, but with one bit of solace: A blurry clue from an old picture, which had driven years of speculation about Earharts final resting place, can probably be dismissed for good.

The north magnetic pole, the point on the Earth where a compass needle would point down, is sliding about 35 miles closer to Russia each year.

The North Pole is at the very top of the world, right? Actually, the planets magnetic north is a considerable distance from 90 degrees north, and it moves around. Lately it has moved more than expected, requiring scientists to update the World Magnetic Model a year earlier than planned. The tinkering ensures that modern navigation tools will continue to function properly, but it is a reminder of the geoscience mysteries deep beneath Earths surface.

When does life end and death begin? Scientists seem to have blurred that line when they managed to restore cellular activity in brains removed from slaughtered pigs. Although the pig brains did not exhibit any higher functions, some cells regained metabolic activity. The research is preliminary, but it upends standard medical thinking about the brain and raises more than a few metaphysical conundrums.

Happy 150th birthday to the Periodic Table of Elements! As scientists celebrated Dmitri Mendeleevs enduring array of chemical elements this year, some also wondered whether there might be a better way to organize the stuff of the universe. A New and Improved Table could come in handy: As more superheavy elements are discovered, their behaviors could challenge the integrity of Mendeleevs memorable chart.

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What We Learned in Science News 2019 - The New York Times

Dublin, Dec. 16, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "The Future of Quantum Computing, Quantum Networking and Quantum Sensors" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The World of Quantum Technology Business Opportunities

Quantum technology is developing rapidly, from interesting technology to use-cases to business development. Some quantum technologies are already earning money. According to the research division, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), will reach revenues of around $140 million in 2020 and the market for Quantum Computers will reach approximately $110 million. Quantum technology now embraces quantum computing, QKD, post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum sensors; and of course, all the related software.

As these markets evolve Business people and Professionals in the quantum technology field must keep track of all relevant information to make strategic choices. This third quantum technology event will be held in New York, at one of the city's most modern conference facilities. It will be a must-attend event for strategic planners, marketing executives, designers, product managers, engineers, investors, government executives, and others in the quantum technology field. New York is the center of the financial world and this means enhanced attention to the conference from both investors and media outlets.

This NY event is a follow-on to the highly successful 2019 events in Boston and Europe in 2019. The event in New York in April 2020 will offer:

The Future of Quantum Computing, Quantum Networking, and Quantum Sensors - New York will provide comprehensive insights into the commercial future of all areas of quantum technology, presenting both opportunities available today and future applications for businesses and government.

The Future of Quantum Computing, Quantum Networking, and Quantum Sensors - New York will be jointly organized with 3DR Holdings, which organized the other highly successful quantum technology events. It will be a major learning experience on how quantum technology is evolving, in which marketing and deployment strategies are being pursued and which near-term steps will be taken by everyone from researchers to end-users.

Topics Covered

Quantum Computing Hardware & Software

Specifically:

Quantum Computing Applications

Specifically:

Agenda

April 2nd, 2020

8.30 am Plenary: Keynotes

Symposium I: Quantum Computing Hardware

9:15 am Panel 1: When will quantum supremacy arrive? What will it mean? 9:55 am Panel 2: Whither quantum annealers? 10:35 am Panel 3: Future uses of quantum simulators 11:15 am Coffee break 11:35 am Panel 4: Quantum computing hardware startups: What are the opportunities? Speaker: John Randall Zyvex - President Zyvex Labs 12:15 pm Talk: Quantum Computing Hardware Forecasts

Symposium III: Quantum Networks

9:15 am Panel 1: Second generation QKDs and QRNGs: New products and market forecasts 9:55 am Panel 2: Quantum-based cybersecurity in mobile networks and payment systems 10:35 am Panel 3: What will the Quantum Internet look like? 11:35 am Panel 4: Early-stage quantum networks: Some case studies

12:35 pm Lunch

Symposium II: Quantum Computing Software

2:05 pm Panel 1: Evolution of quantum computer operating systems: Proprietary or multi-vendor 2:45 pm Panel 2: Applications software for quantum computers: Types and market prospects 3:25 pm Coffee break 3:45 pm Panel 3: AI, machine learning and quantum computing 4:25 pm Panel 4: Post-quantum encryption software Speaker: Reza Azarderaksh - PQSecure - Co-founder and President 5.30 pm Networking Reception 6.30 pm Startup Forum

Symposium IV: Quantum Sensors

2:05 am Panel 1: New quantum sensor technologies and materials 2:45 pm Talk: Quantum network applications and forecasts 3:45 pm Panel 2: Atomic clocks: Quantum directions 4:25 pm Panel 3: Quantum lidar and quantum radar Speaker: Maria Thoma Hall - Velodyne - President

April 3rd, 2020

8.30 am Plenary: Keynotes

Symposium V: End Users and Applications

9:15 am Panel 1: Quantum technology for healthcare: imaging, therapy, and planning 9:55 am Panel 2: Quantum technology for the materials sector: pharmaceuticals, the chemical industry, and oil and gas Speaker: Govinda Bhisetti Biogen - Head of Computational Chemistry 10:35 am Panel 3: Quantum technology for automotive, aerospace and transportation planning Speaker: Dr. William Clark - General Dynamics Mission Systems - Technical Director of Quantum R&D 11:15 am Coffee break 11:35 am Panel 4: Quantum technology in banking and financial services Speaker: Carlos Kuchkovsky Jimenez - BBVA - Chief R&D and Technology Officer - New digital business 12:35 pm Lunch

Symposium VI: Policy, Regulation, and Standards

9:15 am Panel 1: Quantum processors -- architectures 9:55 am Panel 2: Quantum processors -- materials 10:35 am Panel 3: New developments in cooling: components, materials, and systems Speaker: Jacob E. Grose - BASF Venture Capital - Investment Manager 11:35 am Panel 4: Quantum repeaters, quantum memories, and trusted nodes Speaker: Mehdi Namazi - Qunnect - CEO 12:35 pm Lunch

Symposium V (part 2): End Users

2:05 pm Panel 5: Quantum computing software for the financial services industry 2:05 am Panel 1: Quantum technology and the China question 2:45 pm Panel 6: Quantum computing and optimization applications 2:45 pm Panel 2: US national quantum technology policy Speaker: Terrill Frantz - Harrisburg University - Associate Professor of eBusiness and Cybersecurity 3:25 pm Coffee break 3:45 pm Panel 7: Early users of QKD and quantum networks 3:45 pm Panel 3: Quantum technology policy in Europe 4:25 pm Panel 4: The quantum technology business worldwide: Where to next?

For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lrnk75

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

Originally posted here:

2-Day Conference: The Future of Quantum Computing, Networking & Sensors (New York, United States - April 2-3, 2020) - Benzinga

Dec 17, 2019

Intel Labs has unveiled what it believes to be a first-of-its-kind cryogenic control chip code-named Horse Ridge that is aimed at speeding up the development of full-stack quantum computing systems.

According to Intel, Horse Ridge will enable control of multiple quantum bits (qubits) and set a clear path toward scaling larger systems a major milestone on the path to quantum practicality.

Developed together with Intels research collaborators at QuTech, a partnership between TU Delft and TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research), Horse Ridge is fabricated using Intels 22nm FinFET Low Power (22FFL) technology. In-house fabrication of these control chips at Intel will dramatically accelerate the companys ability to design, test and optimize a commercially viable quantum computer.

Quantum computers promise the potential to tackle problems that conventional computers cant handle by leveraging a phenomena of quantum physics that allows qubits to exist in multiple states simultaneously. As a result, qubits can conduct a large number of calculations at the same time dramatically speeding up complex problem-solving.

While there has been a lot of emphasis on the qubits themselves, the ability to control many qubits at the same time had been a challenge for the industry," said Jim Clarke, Intels director of Quantum Hardware. "Intel recognized that quantum controls were an essential piece of the puzzle we needed to solve in order to develop a large-scale commercial quantum system. Thats why we are investing in quantum error correction and controls. With Horse Ridge, Intel has developed a scalable control system that will allow us to significantly speed up testing and realize the potential of quantum computing.

Intel says that in the race to realize the potential of quantum computers, researchers have largely focused extensively on qubit fabrication, building test chips that demonstrate the exponential power of a small number of qubits operating in superposition.

However, it says, in early quantum hardware developments including design, testing and characterization of Intels silicon spin qubit and superconducting qubit systems it has identified a major bottleneck toward realizing commercial-scale quantum computing: interconnects and control electronics.

With Horse Ridge, Intel says it is introducing an elegant solution that will enable the company to control multiple qubits and set a clear path toward scaling future systems to larger qubit counts a major milestone on the path to quantum practicality.

For more information, go to http://www.intel.com.

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Intel Achieves Milestone in Quantum Practicality with 'Horse Ridge' - Database Trends and Applications

Almost a quarter of Americans have less than $5,000 saved for retirement.

And to someone with no savings and an annual salary of $75,000, the idea of putting away $2 million for retirement can seem like an impossible goal. It can be done, however, it will take time and dedication.

As a rule of thumb, most financial advisors suggest you save 10% to 15% of your salary. But if your goal is to get to $2 million, the percentage you need to invest will vary widely based on how old you are when you start.

NerdWallet crunched the numbers, and we can tell you exactly how much of your $75,000 you'll need to tuck away to get there.

Just a few things to remember: These numbers assume you have no money in your retirement plan, that you will get an average 6% return on your investments and that you will retire at age 65.

The math also does not account for potential pay increases, employer matches, inflation or any curveballs that life may throw at you. So plan accordingly.

Now let's dive into the figures.

More from Invest in You: How Walmart and other big companies are trying to recruit more teenage employees Americans are more in debt than ever and experts say 'money disorders' may be to blame

Disclosure: NBCUniversal and Comcast Ventures are investors in Acorns.

Read more:
How to save $2 million for retirement if you make $75,000 a year, broken down by age - CNBC

FOX Business' Kristina Partsinevelos reports on how Congress aims to pass 401(k) changes including small business packages and part-time worker eligibility.

Lawmakers are preparing to pass comprehensive retirement reform, which would give more people access to retirement accounts,for the first time in more than a decade, with the aim of helping Americans save enough to live comfortably throughout their older years.

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement,or SECURE, Act is tied to a bipartisan spending bill that Congress must pass in order to sidestep a government shutdown at the end of the week.

The legislation contains a number of provisions that experts believe could meaningfully help Americans stash away more money, but also some that are perceived as negative for taxpayers.

It [is] quite a comprehensive bill, Chad Parks, founder and CEO of Ubiquity Retirement + Savings, told FOX Business. I think that the best way to characterize this is, its kind of cleaning house [Lawmakers] knew they had all these little things that are not quite right.

PENDING RETIREMENT RULE COULD MAKE THE IRS YOUR BIGGEST IRA BENEFICIARY, EXPERT WARNS

HOUSES $1.4T SPENDING BILL IS REALLY IRRESPONSIBLE: CRFB PRESIDENT

One of the key parts of the legislation is that it aims to increase access to retirement plans,which is among the biggest savings barriers right now. The government will give tax credits to small businesses for having plans.

The government is paying you to put a retirement plan in place, Parks said.

The tax credit expires after three years.

The bill would also make it easier for companies to band together to offer multi-employer plans. Some businesses would berequired to allow some part-time workers to participate.

Multi-employer plans are currently available, but the legislation would change one significant rule that might encourage more businesses to participate. The so-called one bad apple rule refers to the fact that if 10 employers go into a plan together, and one person doesnt follow the rules, the whole group will suffer. Now, Parks said, businesses would be allowed to outsource two fiduciary rules to address that dilemma.

In order to help Americans stretch out retirement savings over their lifetime, the plan also calls for an annuity option in retirement plans, which are fixed sums paid out over a lifetime.

John Iammarino, the principal and founder of Securus Financial, told FOX Business the annuity option is particularly important since future retirees won't have a pension like their parents and grandparents.

It doesnt matter how much money you have if you dont turn it into a predictable lifetime income stream, Iammarino said. The annuity option [gives people] the ability to have a predictable income stream and helps alleviate some of that pressure from Social Security.

Another pair of provisions target the flexibility of accounts: People would be allowed to stash money into IRA accounts beyond the current age limit of 70 1/2. It would also delay when individuals are required to begin taking required minimum distributions to 72, from 70 1/2.

Iammarino saidraising the contribution threshold will have that significant of an impact on most people, but delaying the age at which individuals would be required to withdraw funds from their accounts allows for nearly two extra years of planning and delays potentially being pushed into a higher tax bracket.

Among the changes that could be negative for retirees is the elimination of stretch IRAs. The proposal stipulates that most non-spouses who inherit an account must drain it within 10 years of the owners death, while the current law allows them to stretch it out over a lifetime.

Stretch IRAs are an estate planning strategy that allows people to pass their retirement funds to their kids, grandkids or other beneficiaries. For example, achild, who inherits money held in a parent's retirment account, under current law,can allow that money to grow tax-deferred or tax-free over the course of a lifetime and that beneficiary can take smaller required minimum distributions along the way, which is based on age and life expectancy. Those distributions, however, are subject to income taxes. Since larger distributions will need to be made during the 10-year timeframe, the tax liability could be larger.

If you are leaving money then you might want to have some different plans You could be making the IRS your biggest beneficiary, Iammarino said.

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Overall, however, experts are optimistic about what lawmakers are trying to accomplish.

At the end of the day, todays retirement is on the employee, Iammarino said. I dont think the bills going to have an overall impact on peoples ability to save, but I do think people over the long haul will be happier in retirement with their annuity option.

The SECURE Act is attached to a package of spending bills that lawmakers need to pass by Friday in order to avoid a government shutdown. The retirement bill itself passed the House by a margin of 417-3 in the spring, but progress had stalled in the Senate.

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Retirement reform: Key SECURE Act provisions that will affect you - Fox Business

When you are ready to retire, there are certain basic things you should do before you leave the comfort and security of your old job. You need to make final adjustments to your financial plan and make important decisions about Social Security and health insurance.

Here's a checklist for retiring in 2020:

-- Decide when to start Social Security.

-- Sign up for Medicare or other health insurance.

-- Check your retirement benefits.

-- Take advantage of last-minute benefits at work.

-- Consider rolling over your 401(k) to an IRA.

-- Make a financial plan.

-- Decide what to do next.

Remember to do these things if 2020 is the year you're finally going to take the leap into retirement.

Decide When to Start Social Security

You're eligible to claim Social Security payments beginning at age 62. However, you will receive a reduced payment unless you begin collecting benefits at your full retirement age, which varies depending on when you were born. For example, the full retirement age is 66 and 2 months for people born in 1955. You can increase your monthly payments if you sign up for Social Security after your full retirement age. Each year you wait, your monthly benefit grows by about 8%, up to age 70. Sign up for a my Social Security account to view how much you will receive from Social Security if you start payments at various ages.

[Read: Medicare Enrollment Deadlines You Shouldn't Miss.]

Sign Up for Medicare or Other Health Insurance

Medicare coverage begins at age 65, regardless of your Social Security full retirement age. When you enroll in the program you will need to make decisions about Medicare supplement plans and prescription drug coverage or Medicare Advantage plans. If you retire before age 65, you have to figure out how to get medical insurance that isn't connected to your job. Some people qualify for health insurance through an old employer, professional organization or a working spouse's health insurance plan. You can also obtain coverage through your state's health insurance marketplace until you qualify for Medicare.

Check Your Retirement Benefits

Confirm eligibility for a pension or other retirement benefits you earned at work. Also, check to see if you qualify for benefits from a previous employer. You might collect income from two or three places where you worked during your career. Find out if you're eligible for retiree employer-subsidized health insurance. Check to see if retirees can take advantage of any other company-sponsored benefits, from life insurance to membership in a health club to employee discounts on company products.

[Read: How Much You Will Get From Social Security.]

Take Advantage of Last-Minute Benefits at Work

If you have dental and vision coverage at work, you may want to visit the dentist and pick up a new pair of glasses before you retire. If the company matches any charitable giving, then make your annual contribution before you retire. If your child has an employer-sponsored college scholarship, see if the scholarship will continue after you leave. This is your last chance to use the benefits the company offers.

Consider Rolling Over Your 401(k) to an IRA

Employers typically allow you to keep your 401(k) account with the company after you retire. However, you might be better off transferring the money to an IRA or Roth IRA. IRAs typically have more investment options, and you can shop around for lower cost or better performing funds. If you own company stock, either inside or outside a retirement plan, now may be the time to sell some in order to diversify your holdings. You may also want to tweak your investment strategy and make a plan to minimize taxes as you draw down your retirement assets.

[See: 10 Tips for Rolling Over a 401(k) When You Change Jobs.]

Make a Financial Plan

There's more to financial planning than tending to an IRA. Try to make a budget that details your expected income from Social Security, pensions, retirement savings, other investments and part-time work. Then estimate how much you're going to spend. The estimate may have contingencies, such as spending less by moving to a lower cost community or spending more if you're planning to travel, but you should have some idea of what your expenditures are going to be, at least for the next few years. Don't forget to include an emergency fund, in case of unexpected bills like a medical emergency or major home repair.

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Decide What to Do Next

There's more to retirement than your finances. Try to imagine what your retirement life is going to look like. There are major decisions to be made about what you are going to do each day. Perhaps you are planning to move to a new location, buy a beach cottage or extensively travel. Maybe you're going to play golf, learn a foreign language, start a second career or take care of your grandchildren. When you're retired you have the freedom to do what you want, which means you have to identify something meaningful that will keep you active and engaged in life.

Tom Sightings is the author of "You Only Retire Once" and blogs at Sightings at 60.

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How to Retire in 2020 - Yahoo Finance

Electrical products and power management company Eaton (NYSE:ETN) -- up nearly 38% on a year to date basis as I write -- was arguably the best stock of the year if you're a retiree. The company is far from being the most exciting stock on the market, but boring should do just fine for investors looking for a reliable stream of income in their old age. Here's how Eaton made it to the top of the list and why it's still an attractive investment for 2020.

Image source: Getty Images.

First, a few words on the selection process -- not least so readers can perform such exercises themselves in the future. Using commonly available stock screeners, the following filters can be used to whittle down the universe of suitable stocks. For reference, this is not a list of the only suitable stocks for retirees, just ones that performed the best in 2019 within certain parameters -- there are many other ways to find stocks suitable for retirees.

As outlined below, I've looked for stocks with a current yield in excess of 3% and manageable debt with good dividend coverage.

Filter

Metric Explanation

Rationale

Stocks Left After Filter Applied

Market Cap Above $2 billion

Price times shares listed

Need for liquidity in a stock

837

Dividend Yield Above 3%

Dividend divided by price

Need for a decent income

165

Return on Equity Above 10%

Net income divided by shareholders equity

Retirement stocks must have growth potential

100

Long-Term Debt to Equity Below 60%

Long-term debt divided by equity

Debt can become a significant issue in a recession

24

Current Ratio Above 1

Current assets divided by current liabilities

Company must have good liquidity

10

Payout Ratio Less Than 75%

Dividend divided by earnings

Flexibility to grow the dividend

4

Data source: Author's analysis using macrotrends.com stock screener.

The four final candidates are shown below. It can immediately be seen that Eaton and asset manager Eaton Vance (NYSE:EV) were the best performers in 2019.

ETN data by YCharts

I'll focus on Eaton in a moment, but it's worth noting that the two technology also-rans, namely telecommunications equipment company Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) and integrated circuit maker Maxim Integrated Products (NASDAQ:MXIM) are companies that many investors would dismiss as candidates for a retirement portfolio in any case.

Cisco is a worthy company, but to buy the stock for the long term, you need to be confident in the long-term future for its switches and routers as internet infrastructure moves away from the enterprise level toward the cloud.

Similarly, Maxim Integrated is an exciting company, especially as the Internet of Things (IoT) looks set to spur ever more increasing use of electronics in automobiles, and in industrial and consumer products. However, it's a highly competitive field and Maxim comes up against far larger semiconductor companies like Analog Devices and Texas Instruments -- a concern in a highly cyclical industry where scale is so important.

Meanwhile, Eaton Vance is an investment asset manager -- a great business to be in when the markets are in good shape and assets under management are expanding. However, Eaton Vance's management fees will always be subject to the underlying performance of equity and fixed income markets -- nearly half of its management fees come from assets under management held in equities.

Eaton is also a somewhat cyclical company, but it has a relatively diverse collection of end markets ranging from utilities, trucks, and aerospace to industrial factories, data centers, and construction. In fact, Eaton's lower risk profile is reflected in the following metrics.

The standard deviation of monthly returns is simply a mathematical representation of how much a stock's monthly return tends to vary from its average. A lower number is better, as it implies the stock is less volatile. As you can see below, Eaton's is significantly lower than the others.

In addition, I've included the "Sharpe ratio," which simply takes returns generated in excess of a risk-free rate and then divides it by standard deviation -- a higher number is better. From this you can measure whether a company is making its returns through being more risky.Again, Eaton scores relatively well.

MXIM Historical Sharpe Ratio (10Y) data by YCharts

There's a reason why Eaton has done so well, and that comes down to operational improvements over the years. In a nutshell,a series of restructuring actions and acquisitions have significantly improved its margin and free cash flow generation in the last decade.

ETN Operating Margin (TTM) data by YCharts

Indeed, management expects to generate some $8 billion in free cash flow between 2019-2021, a figure representing around 20% of the current market cap with low-single-digit growth in revenue and earnings. After dividend payments of $3.5 billion, Eaton should have around $4.5 billion of cash available (around 11% of its current market cap) with which to make share repurchases or acquisitions -- another source of earnings growth potential.

Not only was Eaton the best retirement stock for investors in 2019, but it also has plenty of potential to do well for investors in the coming years. The dividend is very well covered and the company's cash flow generation, ongoing restructuring, and relatively diverse end markets suggest it can grow its dividend for many years to come.

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This Was the Best Retirement Stock of 2019 - The Motley Fool