The energy experts who offered their advice in “12 Stocks to Play Growing Energy Demand, From Oil and Gas to Nuclear and Solar” (Cover Story, May 17) didn’t mention the availability of substantial tax-deferred yields and capital enhancement in midstream infrastructure companies, both master limited partnerships and C corporations. I have achieved tax-deferred (thanks to infrastructure depreciation) high returns of capital, distributions, and dividends and also very nice capital appreciation in MLPs and C corporations that own and operate midstream infrastructure. And they are conservative, well-rated investments with income that is contractually guaranteed by upstream entities that need the midstream facilities for their operations.
Elliot Miller
Naples, Fla.
Michael Milken’s Reward
To the Editor:
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Thanks, Andy Serwer, for a fun read (“You’ll Never Trade Bonds in This Town Again,” Up & Down Wall Street, May 17). And much-deeper thanks to Michael Milken for creating the ability for many businesses to succeed. His reward, like that of Prometheus, was to be chained to a rock. I appreciate that this did not defeat him.
R. Paul Drake
On Barrons.com
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Absurd Assumption
To the Editor:
Hats off to Creative Planning’s chief market strategist Charlie Bilello for wondering about the government’s absurd assumptions that health insurance as computed in the consumer price index is 4% lower than five years ago (“Think Inflation Is Cooling? Think Again,” The Economy, May 17). I’m betting that my experience isn’t a one-off. I’m married, 66, with a now 19-year-old daughter on our plan with Anthem Blue Cross. In the past four years, my monthly premiums have increased from $2,111 to $2,621. Same plan, no changes, with a $6,500 per person deductible. That’s a 24% increase. I think the government needs to go back to statistics class.
Bob Kargenian
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Orange, Calif.
Exceeding the 4% Rule
To the Editor:
I’m 95 years old. I took a lump-sum settlement instead of a pension and kept the funds in a diversified account, mostly equities, ignoring the 60/40 prescription (“Break the 4% Retirement Rule. Here’s What Works Better,” Retirement, May 16). I have used what I have needed for a decent lifestyle for the past 33 years of retirement, always exceeding the 4% rule. My current portfolio, a self-directed individual retirement account and a common account, exceeds the value in 1991, adjusted for inflation. I have used common sense, stayed invested for the long term, and attempted to spend a little less than the portfolio’s total earnings on a long-term basis. I have avoided fees from a financial advisor and funds with high fees.
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Ralph Strong
On Barrons.com
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