retirement
Nationwide Retirement Institute’s 10th Annual Social Security Survey–The Good & Bad News
The 2023 edition of Nationwide’s annual survey produced some striking differences of opinion regarding the viability of Social Security, with 40% of the more than 1800 respondents saying they’re very confident (or at least confident) about the program’s staying power…
Thoughts on Dealing With the Dreaded Federal Income Tax on Social Security Benefits
It often comes as a surprise (and not a pleasant one, at that) to the newly retired when they file their federal income tax return after beginning their Social Security retirement benefits and find that receiving this benefit ups their…
Not Addressing Social Security Insolvency Equals Disaster, Says CRFB
So much has been written about Social Security’s evolving financial crisis, and yet not much has surfaced in terms of a bipartisan approach to addressing the problem. As most who follow this topic know, the clock is ticking louder each…
The Changing Landscape for Retirement Planning Strategy
Despite long-held attitudes toward the criticality of workplace retirement plans like 401ks, it appears that future retirees are paying more attention to other ways to accumulate wealth for their post-workforce lives. Yahoo Finance reporter Brian J. O’Connor, in a post…
The “Retirement Savings” Dilemma Continues in Full Force
The reasons are varied, but the constant conclusion is that many lower-income Americans are facing evaporating opportunities for financial security in retirement. In fact, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) noted last month that “only 1 in 10 low-income workers…
10 Years From Retirement? Do These 10 Things
Social Security faces insolvency in ten years, and so saving more outside of that program is key for near retirees. Financial advisor Mark B. Murphy, who is also CEO of Northeast Private Client Group argues the 10 years leading up to…
Inflation Causing Uptick in 401k Hardship Withdrawals
The negative effects of the inflation of the past two years have been well documented, but it goes beyond Americans complaining about higher food costs and trouble paying rent. In this piece, Megan Henney cites new data from Bank of…
Baby Boomers Live Longer. Therefore, Avoid Buying These 5 Things
Vawn Himmelsbach’s piece here reminds readers that in the 1930s, average life expectancy was 58 for men and 62 for women, based on Social Security Administration data. However, today women have a 1-in-3 chance and men a 1-in-5 chance of living to…
HSA for non-medical expenses
An HSA is not an option for everyone, but if you have one, you can grow your balance by investing. The investment gains in your HSA are tax-free as long as the withdrawal of those funds pays for medical expenses.…
Retirement has always been fragile for low-income workers
An analysis by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found: “Only 1 in 10 low-income workers between the ages of 51 and 64 had any funds put away for retirement.” The study also found while poor workers lost ground, high-income workers…