Hi Pop Tart,
With the ECB in QE mode and the US Fed to start raising interest rates sooner than later, I am confident that the Euro will continue to weaken relative to the USD. So you may want to consider currency-hedged ETFs like HEDJ and DBEU. The currency trend may reverse, so it is always a good idea to have an exit plan, and for me that involves following the 20/50/100EMAs.
I would also take a look at MEURX, a relatively low volatility multi-cap value with an attractive long-term track record. This fund continues to be available in Wellstrade retirement accounts for a $250 minimum per test trade.
Another multi-cap fund to consider would be PRESX, which has a solid track record and continues to perform in 2015.
Kevin

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1199046/000119312515052553/d870226d497.htm
497 1 d870226d497.htm UNIFIED SERIES TRUST
MARTIN FOCUSED VALUE FUND
Supplement to the Prospectus dated August 19, 2014
Supplement dated February 18, 2015
The Board of Trustees has determined to redeem all outstanding shares of the Martin Focused Value Fund (the “Fund”) and to cease operations of the Fund due to the adviser’s decision that it is no longer economically viable to continue managing the Fund as a result of the Fund’s small asset size and the increasing costs associated with advising a registered investment company.
As of the date of this supplement, the Fund is no longer accepting purchase orders for its shares and it will close effective as of March 31, 2015. Shareholders may redeem Fund shares at any time prior to this closing date. Procedures for redeeming your account, including reinvested distributions, are contained in the section “How to Redeem Shares” of the Fund’s Prospectus. Any shareholders that have not redeemed their shares of the Fund prior to March 31, 2015 will have their shares automatically redeemed as of that date, with proceeds being sent to the address of record. If your Fund shares were purchased through a broker-dealer and are held in a brokerage account, redemption proceeds may be forwarded by the Fund directly to the broker-dealer for deposit into your brokerage account.
The Fund is no longer pursuing its investment objective. All holdings in the Fund’s portfolio are being liquidated, and the proceeds will be invested in money market instruments or held in cash. Any capital gains will be distributed as soon as practicable to shareholders and reinvested in additional Fund shares, unless you have requested payment in cash.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RETIREMENT PLAN INVESTORS
If you are a retirement plan investor, you should consult your tax adviser regarding the consequences of a redemption of Fund shares. If you receive a distribution from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA, you must roll the proceeds into another IRA within 60 days of the date of the distribution in order to avoid having to include the distribution in your taxable income for the year. If you are the trustee of a qualified retirement plan or the custodian of a 403(b)(7) custodian account (tax-sheltered account) or a Keogh account, you may reinvest the proceeds in any way permitted by its governing instrument.
* * * * * *
This supplement and the Prospectus provide the information a prospective investor should know about the Fund and should be retained for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated August 19, 2014 has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is incorporated herein by reference. You may obtain the Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information without charge by calling the Fund at (855) 367-6383.

Hi MikeW,
I would classify WGRNX as a definite sell. David Winters has always given interesting interviews, but despite the hype at the fund's inception ("2 without the 20" hedge fund comparison), WGRNX has never behaved like a hedge fund and has had underwhelming performance to date. Furthermore, WGRNX continues to be outperformed by his old fund, MDISX, despite a huge difference in AUM: $1.4B vs. $25B.
Among global funds, there are more attractive options such as: VMNVX (young, but so far so good), DODWX, THOIX ($500 minimum + initial TF in Fidelity retirement accounts per test trade) and HCOYX.
Kevin

First some clarifications
(1) John's reference to "tsp" leads me to think he's a Federal employee. A description of tsp http://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/thrift_savings_plan.asp
(2) His question refers to "401K". While not the same, 401Ks and TSPs operate pretty much the same. According to the description above, one can be converted into the other.
(3) John refers to "distribution" in his question. I suspect he means "contribution."
If John wants respondents to detail how much they invest annually in these plans, I can't answer. We contribute nothing in retirement. In fact, we take distributions of 4-5% annually. While employed, my contributions varied widely. The limit back in the 70s-90s was in the range of $6,000 to $10,000 annually as I recall. We seldom "maxed-out", except during the last few years.
The first article (which I read) isn't very well focused. It mentions the need to save and difficulties that often prevent families from doing so. It touches on RMD requirements. It gives $18,000 as the yearly limit on contributions. And, it notes that some employer plans feature a match.
Like most of these articles, they manage to get the wagon out in front of the horse a little. Before people can save, they have to to learn to manage household expenses through effective planning/budgeting. They also need to get off the credit Merry Go-Round if they're carrying over monthly balances on credit cards or other forms of revolving credit.
Once solvent, families can begin saving. I won't go overboard touting 401Ks. They're a great component to saving. However, as some have noted previously, the tax advantages eventually come back to haunt you in the form of the "ordinary income" tax rates applied on plan distributions. For at least some, 401Ks may not be the preferred method of saving. I once met a fellow who had chosen to invest during his working years in rental properties he was fixing-up and which would provide an income stream during retirement. So, one size does not fit all.
My favorite expression relating to monthly savings - "PAY YOURSELF FIRST."

related
5 Tools to Manage Your Money in Retirement
http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/on-retirement/2015/02/17/5-tools-to-manage-your-money-in-retirement

MJG,
I appreciate your insightful post.
The funds I chose for the comparison were based on the fact that I have held two of them for nearly a decade and in combination with the others listed comprise many of the most widely held no-load moderate allocation/balanced funds. I used moderate allocation funds because that is the category that Mr. Burns was comparing his Couch Potato portfolio too without accounting for the difference in equity allocation among the funds in that category which generally ranges from 50-70%.
There are certainly many, many moderate allocation funds (probably a majority) that come up short verses the Couch Potato portfolio no matter their equity allocation. My main point was to show there are a number of actively managed moderate allocation funds that have both been around for many years and have consistently performed very well in comparison to the Couch Potato portfolio that utilizes low cost index funds.
For investors who desire a moderate allocation portfolio who do not desire to put in the effort to identify funds that have a history of doing better or are not available through workplace retirement plans, a couch potato portfolio is certainly a good option...not arguing that in the least bit.
Regards.

Roger and tnx. Being completely in retirement, I use GLRBX for that purpose, my needs-dip-protection bucket. Sometimes too a bit of AOR / AOM, free at ML. Am looking at FTBFX, BOND, and AOK for sooner moneys. Dislike holding lots of cash but it may come to that, as sizable (for me) 2% bond will be all done in a year and a half.

FYI "How many retirement holdings do I really need?" It's a question all retirement savers need to ask themselves at some point.
Regards,
Ted
http://news.morningstar.com/articlenet/article.aspx?id=684718&SR=Yahoo

@LLJB, I've been following Iben's new fund as well, and my test trades in my Fidelity retirement account have always shown that KGGAX has had a front-end load enforced (not LW) and that KGGIX has been available NL for a low minimum with a TF. And Fidelity's web site has been consistent with reality at least with these fund classes. I continue to have the highest respect for Fidelity's trading platform and their customer service.
Kevin

According to a test trade I just made, RAIIX appears to have a $500 minimum with an initial TF in Fidelity retirement accounts. In the past I have been willing to pay an initial TF because I typically buy a good chunk at one time.

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1251896/000089418915000721/aegis_497e.htm
497 1 aegis_497e.htm SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
AEGIS HIGH YIELD FUND
Class A (Ticker: AHYAX)
Class I (Ticker: AHYFX)
Supplement dated February 9, 2015
to the Summary and Statutory Prospectuses dated April 30, 2014
The Board of Trustees of The Aegis Funds (the “Trust”) has concluded that it is in the best interests of the Aegis High Yield Fund (the “Fund”) and its shareholders to cease Fund operations and wind down the Fund. At a meeting held on February 9, 2015, the Board of Trustees approved the closure of the Fund to all purchases, including purchases related to reinvestment of Fund distributions. The Board of Trustees has determined to close the Fund on or before April 30, 2015.
The Fund has been in a defensive position since December 17, 2014, and intends to remain in this position until the Fund is closed to facilitate anticipated redemptions. The Fund’s total net assets, which as of February 6, 2015 were approximately $16.8 million, are expected to decrease through the date of closing. Aegis Financial Corporation (the “Advisor”) has informed the Board of Trustees that it does not plan to extend the Fund’s current expense limitation agreement, pursuant to which the Fund’s “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement” (not including Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses) are limited to 1.20% of the Class I shares’ average daily net assets and 1.45% of the Class A shares’ average daily net assets, past its current term, which expires April 30, 2015. As a result, after that date the Fund’s “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement” (not including Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses) will increase.
Shareholders of the Fund may redeem their shares in accordance with the “How to Redeem Shares” section of the Prospectus. Redemption fees and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) will not be charged on shares redeemed beginning after market close on February 9, 2015. Unless a shareholder’s investment in the Fund is through a tax-deferred retirement account, a redemption is subject to tax on any taxable gains. Please refer to the “Tax Consequences of an Investment” section in the Prospectus for general information. You may find it advisable to consult your tax advisor about your particular situation, including the effects of a redemption of shares held through a tax-deferred retirement account.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your financial intermediary or contact the Fund at 800-528-3780.
* * *
YOU SHOULD RETAIN THIS SUPPLEMENT WITH YOUR
SUMMARY PROSPECTUS AND PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

Hank,I got started late with Roths, I always used IRAs for income reduction in my high income years, later I realized Roths could be an annual source of income in retirement, without taxes...now playing catch up best I can, even doing some conversions, while staying in same low tax brackets,
Bonds have been a cash substitute for me while they continue to bring in earnings, also I keep funds open in all my various accounts for easy movement of cash, from equity sales. drags total returns slightly, but necessary evil/convenience

vfinx of vanguard charges 0.17% ( and 0.05% is for the admiral acct). Prudential retirement: Dryden s&p 500 also charges 0.17% in my 401k acct.

Direct link: http://online.barrons.com/article/fund_of_information.html. Annuities? No, thanks. The death of defined-benefit retirement plans is a piece of the bigger picture of society's race to the bottom, when it comes to the welfare of the worker. In other words: screw the worker. Give the CEO an obscene bonus. And increase the pay-out for shareholders. And needless to say, that dividend is for shares in a company the average worker can't afford to buy-into.

what are your thoughts for this fund now? Just a satellite holding in IRA in retirement bond portfolio.

Thank you, Ted. It would be more productive getting those off-shore accounts than average citizens who are saving responsibly for their retirement.

I like the way you think LLJB. I'm a young (mid-20s) investor and obviously have a long way to go until retirement so I am investing with a long-long-term investment horizon, something I think many investors struggle to do... For this reason, I definitely have a bias towards the smaller end of the market cap spectrum and emerging (frontier included) markets. In addition, I think too many focus on short-term bumps and volatility. I use these as times to add to positions where I believe the long-term potential is there.

...All of those "A" shares. A 401k is a retirement vehicle and so there should be no loads. If you're not getting an "LW" (load-waived") version of these funds, steer clear. Listen to "fundalarm" here. I don't know how employers can get away with this sort of thing.

FYI: Target-date retirement funds can offer a winning strategy for investors who prefer to turn portfolio management over to professional money managers.
Target-date retirement funds start out with relatively aggressive asset weightings in U.S. and foreign stocks, and gradually shift to more fixed-income investments as the target date nears
Regards,
Ted
http://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MTg5MDUyNjU=
Enlarged Graphic:
http://news.investors.com/photopopup.aspx?path=webLV012915.png&docId=736880&xmpSource=&width=1000&height=1116&caption=&id=736798

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1577406/000089418915000367/loeb_497e.htm
LOEB KING ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND
LOEB KING ASIA FUND
each a series of Loeb King Trust
(together, the “Funds”)
January 27, 2015
Supplement to the
Summary Prospectus, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”)
each dated December 19, 2014, as supplemented January 13, 2015
The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Loeb King Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted a plan to close and liquidate the Funds. Acting on a recommendation from Carl M. Loeb Advisory Partners L.P., the Funds’ investment adviser (the “Adviser”), the Board concluded that it would be in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders that the Funds be closed and liquidated as series of the Trust. The Funds are expected to be closed and liquidated on February 25, 2015 (the “Liquidation Date”).
Prior to the respective Fund’s Liquidation Date, you may redeem your shares, including reinvested distributions, in accordance with the Funds’ Prospectus. As is the case with any redemption of Fund shares, redemption proceeds will generally be subject to federal and, as applicable, state and local income taxes if the redeemed shares are held in a taxable account and the liquidation proceeds exceed your adjusted basis in the shares redeemed. If the redeemed shares are held in a qualified retirement account, such as an IRA or 401(k), the liquidation proceeds may not be subject to current income taxation under certain conditions. You should consult with your tax advisor for further information regarding the federal, state and/or local income tax consequences of this liquidation that are relevant to your specific situation. Please refer to the “Distributions and Taxes” section in the Prospectus for general information.
ANY SHAREHOLDERS WHO HAVE NOT REDEEMED THEIR SHARES OF A FUND PRIOR TO THE FUND’S LIQUIDATION DATE WILL HAVE THEIR SHARES AUTOMATICALLY REDEEMED AS OF THAT DATE, AND PROCEEDS, SUBJECT TO ANY REQUIRED WITHHOLDINGS, WILL BE SENT TO THE ADDRESS OF RECORD. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR DIRECTLY OR THE FUNDS AT 1-855-722-4550.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RETIREMENT PLAN INVESTORS
If you are a retirement plan investor, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the consequences of a redemption of Fund shares. If you receive a distribution from an Individual Retirement Account or a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA, you must roll the proceeds into another Individual Retirement Account within sixty (60) days of the date of the distribution to avoid having to include the distribution in your taxable income for the year. If you receive a distribution from a 403(b)(7) Custodial Account (Tax-Sheltered account) or a Keogh Account, you must roll the distribution into a similar type of retirement plan within sixty (60) days to avoid disqualification of your plan and the severe tax consequences that it can bring. If you are the trustee of a Qualified Retirement Plan, you may reinvest the money in any way permitted by the plan and trust agreement.
Please retain this Supplement with your Summary Prospectus, Prospectus and SAI.