Headlines
Older Americans Month–A Good Time to Reflect on Policies
With the projected growth in our country’s senior population–the 85+ segment is expected to reach 14.6 million in just over 20 years–this year’s edition of “Older Americans Month” offers a good chance for policymakers to give thought to long-term planning in…
Dealing with retirement misconceptions
Many folks looking ahead to their retirement years tend to rely on “traditional” thinking to set their goals. Unfortunately, as Forbes contributor Elle Kaplan points out, these traditional guidance mechanisms can lead to problems when they don’t fit your individual circumstances…
Grandparents Can Play a Key Role in Mitigating a Future Retirement Crisis
“One of the greatest gifts a grandparent can give a grandchild is the gift of financial literacy.” So says a post by Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Mickie Douglas, and the essence of this gift goes beyond the basics of developing…
Procrastination and Misunderstanding Are Having an Impact on Retirement Readiness
Fidelity Investments’ first-ever Retirement IQ Survey produced some startling conclusions, one of the most significant of which is the persistent underestimation of how much is needed in the way of savings for a comfortable retirement. This, coupled with an overall failing…
Divorce, Remarriage, and Spousal Benefits…Yes, it’s Complicated!
Our Social Security system consists of over 2,700 rules, many of which cover exceptions to other rules. And one of the areas where these exceptions tend to make things a bit murky is the subject of spousal benefits and how…
Is 2017 Your Retirement Year?
If so, congratulations and please accept our wishes for a long, healthy, and truly enjoyable life phase. You’ve no doubt given the whole “retirement thing” a lot of study in the years leading up to now, both logistically and financially, but…
Tax Reform: Understanding the Basics of Income and Outflow
One of the major areas of focus for the Trump Administration is the “Middle Class Tax Relief and Simplification Act” and its mission of overhauling the country’s tax code to spur economic growth and achieve a more straightforward process for financing…
The Key Question: When to File?
As most people reaching age 60 are aware, their Social Security eligibility has all of a sudden become a near-term reality. So, do I file as early as possible, wait until my full retirement age (FRA) and avoid the reduction,…
Divorcing? Remember to tie up all the loose ends.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding a late-in-life divorce situation, there are a few key “loose ends” that sometimes get overlooked in the emotion of the moment. Whether it’s asset division, Social Security spousal benefit assessment, beneficiary updates, or fundamental financial…
Not Everybody Qualifies for Social Security–But Planning is Critical for Those Who Do!
Personal Finance Reporter Alessandra Malito, in a post on www.marketwatch.com, itemizes the 3% of elderly Americans who do not receive Social Security benefits, and also explains the importance for those aging into the program of understanding Social Security and having…