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Managing Expenses in the Face of Meager COLA
OK…three-tenths of a percent is something. But it’s also pretty close to nothing. At a time when way over half the population depends on Social Security to meet the bulk of their living costs, it becomes pretty clear that the only way…
Retirement – The Mile Markers Along the Way
The traditional “turning 65” isn’t the only waypoint you need to think about for your retirement years. It actually starts at age 50, as explained in an article by financial strategist and “Money Matters” talk show host Wes Moss. Check…
Tax Implications Associated with 2017 Limits
The modest Social Security benefit increase recently announced has other implications for those still in the workforce, the most significant of which is the $8,700 increase in the ceiling for FICA tax. And there’s the additional 2.35% Health Insurance tax applied…
Don’t forget to consider risk factors in making you Social Security filing decision.
if you’re considering a strategy of taking your Social Security benefits before full retirement age, and part of your decision-making process is to offset the reduction with investment earnings, it’s important to make certain you’ve adequately factored risk into your…
Thinking about retiring? Here are some “rules” to consider.
Many people looking ahead to their retirement years tend to pause and take a deep breath when it comes time to set a date. Certainly much of the decision on timing is based on finances, but that’s not all you need to…
Social Security’s new “multi-factor authentication” protects your account.
The multi-factor authentication (MFA) method didn’t sit well with a lot of folks using online access to their Social Security account. That’s because it initially required that a code be sent via text message to the user’s cell phone, which would then become part…
A formula for retirement “peace of mind”.
It’s no secret that the most feared aspect of retired life is running out of money. That’s understandable when you consider that the average retirement income in the U.S. is about $1,500 per month and the size of the average…
Get real about your retirement!
When you think ahead about your retirement, do you want to have a better lifestyle than you now have, the same lifestyle you now have, or are your expectations lower? The answer for most people is that they want to maintain…
Worried about outliving your money? Here are a few tips.
For the most part, pre-retirement advice boils down to save more while you’re working, invest sooner and wisely, and spend less after you retire. But there are a few other strategies that will help you reach a comfortable retirement where…
Medicare changing how doctors are paid: The consequences?
The recent release of a new rule for how Medicare will be paying doctors has some medical professionals concerned. While the goal of the new rule is laudable in that it will pay doctors based on the quality and outcome…