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In your 50’s? Here’s what to do about retirement
Probably because it’s often viewed as a daunting task, a lot of people coast into their 50’s without having given much thought to their retirement, which at this point could be just around the corner. Time is running out, so…
Getting ready for retirement requires forethought
Retirement is arguably one of the biggest lifestyle transitions a person will ever have to make, and unfortunately far too many Americans are ill-prepared. That’s why, regardless of how many years you have to reach that age, now is the…
How to kick-start your retirement savings
Your personal savings is one leg of the proverbial “three legged stool” most retirement planners discuss, but too many Americans find saving for their retirement as a tough task. Adapting from a “save what’s left over”, to a “save first…
Setting up your online Social Security account helps avoid identity theft
Social Security’s online services include giving you the ability to set up a secure, personal account known as “My Social Security”. Having that account gives you access to all the information Social Security has about, gives you a way to estimate…
Withdrawing from your nest egg: The old rules may not work well
The “4% Rule”, first put forth in 1994, is still offered as a starting point for how much should should be able to safely withdraw from your retirement nest egg without running out of money. But the financial world, like…
Will you have enough money in retirement?
Social Security was never intended to be a retiree’s main sources of income; rather, it should be viewed as a supplement to other sources, the combined total of which can give you the comfort you seek in your golden years. What’s…
What should you do if retirement comes sooner than you planned?
Even for those who fastidiously plan out their retirement goals, surprises such as loss of job, illness or disability can force you into retirement earlier than you planned. When this happens, you may have to make some decisions quickly and without…
Not so new news: Social Security’s purchasing power has declined
For over 60% of America’s seniors, Social Security represents over 50% of their retirement income. And with Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) being painfully low in recent years as well as the ever increasing rise in expense categories such as healthcare,…
Possible Social Security changes in 2018: COLA increase may be coming
It is, of course, a little too early to know for sure, but inflation trends as measured by the Consumer Price Index point to a potential Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients in 2018. The increase may…
More on the Pitfalls of Over Reliance on Social Security
The Motley Fool’s Maurie Backman, in a post today on www.fool.com, rehashes the likelihood that folks relying on Social Security for too large a portion of their retirement financing are headed for a problem. She cites Gallup poll results showing 43% of…