Latest News
Retiring later in life has some real benefits
Although upwards of 40% of American seniors still start their retirement years by claiming Social Security at age 62, the trend is actually that people are waiting longer to start those leisure times known as “the golden years”. And there…
Widows (and widowers) must meet certain requirements to collect Social Security on their deceased spouse’s record.
Surviving spouses can usually collect Social Security benefits based upon their deceased spouse’s work record, but their are some eligibility requirements that must be met, including both age and current marital status. This Newsday article by Lynn Brenner explains those…
Retirement planning is different for women.
It’s pretty well known that healthcare costs for women exceed those for men, and also that women enjoy more longevity. Combined with what’s usually called the “gender wage gap”, women are often at a disadvantage as they contemplate retirement and,…
Going to withdraw or borrow money from your retirement savings? Use caution.
You’ve been working hard to build up your nest egg for a future retirement, but then some hardship or crisis comes along that you need cash to resolve. Think long and hard about how you get that money, and how…
Three Social Security moves you should make.
There’s no shortage of articles talking about the importance of retirement planning and the financial status of the Social Security program, but what actually is the average person to do? Well, educating yourself on what benefits you are actually entitled…
Avoid these roadblocks to a comfortable retirement
No doubt you’ll face a lot of roadblocks throughout your life and navigate around them just fine. But there are some roadblocks that can have a pretty dramatic effect on your retirement and, thus, your level of comfort when you…
Don’t make these mistakes that can derail your retirement
You’ve worked hard to try to plan for that day when you’ll turn in your work badge and look forward to spending a lot more time in your recliner. But there are some pitfalls you need to make sure you…
Reforming Social Security – Let’s cut through the rhetoric and start on the same page.
The discussion of Social Security’s issues today are all too often couched in terms which are designed more to stir emotions than actually seek solutions and, unfortunately, politicians usually examine this issue with an eye only on how it affects…
Don’t make these big mistakes about your taxes in retirement
It’s a whole new world when you’re retired, with certainly a lot more awareness of your finances now that you’re on a fixed retirement income. That financial awareness should include not letting any tax surprises disrupt your lifestyle now that…
You might spend more, not less, in retirement.
Traditional wisdom says that retirees will need about 80% of their working income in retirement, and since Social Security was only designed to replace about 40%, where the rest comes from is important in planning for your golden years. But,…