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Are you really ready for retirement? It’s more than just a financial decision
So much emphasis is put on the financial aspect of retirement, specifically on if you can afford it, that the other important questions are often left unanswered. Retirement planning should take into account five key areas to make sure your…
Drawing down your retirement nest egg, and how to do it
At least statistically, it appears that retirees are becoming more conservative when it comes to drawing down their nest egg, driven mostly by fear that they’ll outlive their money. That is the conclusion reached by one research firm which found…
Removing the identity theft risk from your Medicare card
It’s a big and expensive project, but the Government is finally taking action to remove your Social Security number (SSN) as the primary means of identification on your Medicare card. Using your SSN on the card means that anyone who…
Grandchildren can help you with online Social Security services
It’s no secret that many senior citizens aren’t as technologically astute as those in the younger generation. And due to budget constraints and staff reductions, the Government’s trend is to provide more and more of Social Security’s services online. Therein…
Turning 65 but confused about Medicare? You’re not alone
Although nearly all those surveyed said they plan to enroll in Medicare when they become 65, a large majority admit to some level of confusion about the program, it’s parts (A, B, C & D), and whether to enroll in…
The “sandwich generation”, and their problem saving for retirement
The “sandwich generation” is comprised of people who have children on one side of them and parents on the other, either or both of which may need some financial assistance. It’s a tough call to decide whether to save for your…
Don’t forget to tell your children your retirement plans
You’ve probably spent a lot of time preparing yourself for retirement, and that’s certainly a good thing. But if you have children, making sure that they understand your retirement outlook, especially your money, health and where you plan to spend…
Getting the most out of your retirement
Because so much is written about the financial aspects of retirement planning, the emotional side is too often overlooked. But enjoying your golden years by pursuing your passions is at least as important as making sure you have enough income to be…
Inflation taking a bigger toll on stagnant Social Security benefits
Everyone now collecting Social Security knows that the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) has been zero in 3 of the last 8 years and a paltry 0.3% this year. And, unfortunately, the Consumer Price Index from which those COLA adjustments…
The reasons why more people don’t wait until age 70 to take Social Security
A large majority of Social Security recipients claim their benefits earlier than their full retirement age. But despite the significant financial benefit of waiting beyond full retirement age, a very small percentage – only 2% of men and 4% of women…