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Social Security disability fund will run empty next year
There is widespread confusion about the coming insolvency of the Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund. Regrettably, some use this confusion to avoid taking the necessary steps to reform this critically vital program and instead are only looking to place a…
It’s never too early to plan for retirement
A standard model for retirement planning — a 4 percent annual withdrawal rate over 30 years — is almost two decades old. Retirement planners based their research on stock and bond returns that occurred during the 1920s through 1960s. When…
Politicians shift money just like Wall Street
Two people talking: “Hey, do you know how much the federal debt is today?” “No, and I don’t care.” “What about the $280 billion payout? Is that a payment on the debt or an interest payment?” “I don’t know, and either way it doesn’t…
Gov’t program would fly in Central American children to join parents in US
Images of unaccompanied children flooding across the U.S.-Mexico border defined the immigration crisis last summer. Now, the federal government is intervening so these children won’t have to make that trek -– they’ll get to fly into the U.S. instead. For free. A…
Don’t Let Your Social Security Disability Application Be Disqualified by a Technicality
When applying for Social Security disability benefits, applicants must present sufficient medical justification in order to be eligible. In addition, the application must comply with all of the technical requirements for both the Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental…
Read This Before You File Your Tax Return
With just a couple weeks left in tax season, many taxpayers are putting the finishing touches on their tax returns for 2014, and getting ready to get them sent to the IRS. Before you file, though, there are some last-minute…
Is Your Advisor Clueless About Retirement Planning? 5 Questions To Ask
I was recently talking to a financial advisor and he excitedly said retirement is big business. This industry serves mostly Baby Boomers (born between 1946-1964), which are about 76 million people, almost 25% of our population. They will be retiring…
Why 50+ Women Should Take Control Of Their Money
When I ask my working girlfriends when they plan to retire, or if they plan to retire, I usually get a quizzical look — and then a shrug. Most of them are in their 50s and 60s and they all seem to think…
Scared to Outlive Nest Egg? Find the Right Withdrawal Rate
As any financial planner can attest, it isn’t only how much is saved but what is spent that determines whether a nest egg will last. Indeed, the annual withdrawal rate during retirement is the most important factor in minimizing the likelihood…
Late-Night Social Security Votes Have Major Political Ramifications
Last week the U.S. Senate took three votes related to Social Security benefit amounts which may hold clues to how candidates will line up on the issue in the presidential campaigns. While none of the proposals passed, they were especially notable…