OK, here it is. We have talked about this before. I just think it is worthy of repetition.

According to the Government Accountability Office, an estimated 9,300 people, Baby Boomers, a day will turn 65 in 2016. This group represents the sixth year of Boomers turning 65.

By 2029 an estimated 11,400 a day will turn 65 that year.

So that means that beginning in 2011 and going forward for 19 years that 26 percent of our population will turn 65. That number, boys and girls, is right at 70 million. That’s 70,000,000.

Now why is this important? Think about the investment possibilities. Where are we going to invest our money to take advantage of this? Good question.

———

December is normally a good month with positive returns most of the time historically. As I write this on Thursday, the broad market in the United States as represented by the Wilshire 5000 is just positive. That is acceptable to me.

I thought for sure that the markets would be in negative territory in 2015, so anything above the line is good.

Now most years the action in December comes after the middle of the month. Let us hope that indeed it does come.

I’m not going to spend a lot of time on meaningless numbers. I’ll be more meaningless in January. Between now and then the yearly numbers could change substantially.

However, there are a couple of things that I find interesting. The Nasdaq has done well this year versus the overall market.

Right now that index is up about 8 percent. Why is that, you ask? It’s much to do with the so called FANG stocks. What are they you ask? They are Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google.

Google is now Alphabet which I think is stupid, but what do I know? I mean why would anyone want to change a name that the world recognizes?

Anyway as a group these guys have been rocketing this year and have really served to help the market to have positive numbers.

That could all change of course, but in my opinion those four guys could be the key to the market’s performance in this year’s end. If they continue to do well, then maybe we do OK.

———

So what should you be doing? I would not be surprised if some mutual funds have significant capital gains this year. Many of them are paid in December, and you may not see them until it is too late.

In taxable accounts capital gains can be troublesome. The best way for you to know is to tell your particular adviser that you would like to know if there are gains in your mutual funds.

The problem with those gains is you may not have many or any losses to offset the gains. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but it depends on how you look at it.

———

Give away some stuff to charities. You can gift securities from your brokerage account to charity. Just ask your adviser how.

You can give cash or securities to anyone you want with no tax issues. I always advise investors that I am not a tax scholar so check with your tax adviser to see what you can do.

Generally in 2015 you can give $14,000 to anyone you want, it does not need to be family. And your spouse can give $14,000 also, making the gift $28,000.

Now not many of us can do this but think about your family. You have a daughter and a son and both have two children. Using that scenario you can give each family $112,000 or your children’s two families $224,000 and get it out of your estate.

Now again, check with your tax adviser to be sure about everything.

———

On a personal note, and this is also hard to comprehend, I have been writing these meanderings in the Butler Eagle for more than 20 years. It’s likely that some of you have been reading along since the beginning, and I thank you.

One of the downsides is that you people recognize me, by my picture of course, in grocery stores, along the street, everywhere.

One nice lady got me buying corn from her this summer. I can’t get away with anything. People say, “Are you Howie Pentony?” I say, “That depends.” (Well, you never know.)

My wife suggested changing my picture and using one of Deputy Dawg. I don’t think she’s funny.

Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy Holidays.

Howie Pentony is a Portersville client portfolio manager.