Latest News
A Strategic Look at Balancing Social Security Benefits Against Other Sources
For those approaching Social Security’s filing dates, here options that should be considered to make this benefit program fit best with other sources of retirement income. Moneywatch’s Steve Vernon, in a recent post on www.cbsnews.com, takes a look at an approach…
5 Ways to Become an Informed Medicare Consumer
Each day, you make important choices about your finances, health, privacy, and more. During National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 4–8, 2018, non-profit organizations and government agencies can help you take advantage of your rights and make better-informed choices. Here are 5…
Forced to retire early?
Many seniors, a good 60 percent, end up retiring earlier than anticipated according to data from Voya Financial, and the reasons run from job loss to personal health issues. If you are forced to retire sooner than planned, don’t despair;…
How much the average American worker has saved for retirement
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average household spends more than $40,000 per year in retirement, yet the average person collects less than $17,000 in Social Security benefits. Although everyone’s situation is different, it can be useful to…
Are you better off claiming your Social Security benefits early?
Beginning at age 62, Americans who qualify have an eight-year window to claim their Social Security retirement benefits. Although you get higher benefits for waiting, there are still some good reasons for starting your benefits early that make good financial sense. This article…
For women it is crucial to claim Social Security benefits strategically
Millions of seniors rely on Social Security to pay the bills in retirement and because women tend to live longer than men, it’s especially crucial for females to claim benefits strategically. An estimated 74 percent of women currently collecting Social…
Redefining retirement
“We are in the midst of looking at the older adult in a different sense,” said Diane Heliker, associate professor of nursing at Saint Xavier University. This shift, where people in their 60s, 70s and beyond are redefining what it…
Companies are making improvements to their workplace retirement plans
A new survey by global advisory firm Willis Towers Watson of 349 large and midsize U.S. companies found companies have been making improvements to their workplace retirement plans. Many companies have booster employer contributions, added Roth 401(K) options, and made…
What to do if you’re a victim of ID fraud
According to Javelin Strategy and Research, about 16.7 million consumers were victims of ID fraud in 2017. For those individuals who were notified they were a victim of a security breach in 2017, one in five ended up being an…
Common Medicare questions answered
Medicare provides health insurance to older Americans after they retire. It is a complicated federal program that you need to understand so you get the coverage you need. The article address several common questions that people have about Medicare. Read…