savings
Don’t wait until you’re 70 to take Social Security
Financial planners say to wait until 70 to file for your Social Security benefits. If you wait until age 70, your monthly payments will be 24 – 32 percent higher than the benefits you would have received at your full…
Generation X: Time to Take a Long View Toward Retirement
For Generation Xers — those born between 1965 and 1980—their 60s might seem some distance off, but for many of them it really isn’t. That’s why the results of a recent survey of 2000 members of this demographic cohort by…
Planning for Retirement? Here’s a Solid Roadmap to Consider
Planning for retirement is not easy. It’s not something to put aside for later, because time goes by quickly and before you know what happened, you’re at the point where you know you should have given it more thought. So,…
Social Security’s Place in Your Financial Plan for Retirement
There are many details that those approaching retirement decisions are not clear on, especially the details of some of the options like spouse benefits, survivor benefits, family benefits, and so on. But if you’re at the point of assessing what…
Social Security and the Rule of Averages
Many folks like to compare themselves to others and especially to others in their peer group, and when it comes to claiming Social Security benefits and the general topic of financial planning for retirement, that becomes an even more interesting…
Pessimistic Thoughts about Retirement
Contrary to yesterday’s post about folks expressing optimism about their future retirement life, wouldn’t you know it—a counter to those hopeful thoughts popped up in today’s harvest of retirement news. Specifically, in a post today on CNN.com, reporter Matt Egan…
Traditional IRAs and taxes
It is tax filing season; did you take all your tax deductions? A simple way to get a tax deduction is by using a retirement account. If you don’t have access to a workplace retirement plan and your annual income…
The perks of having a HSA in retirement
A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to employees enrolled in a high-deductible health plan. HSA funds roll over and accumulate year to year. Robin Hartill writes about how you can use your health savings…
How to prioritize in a shaky economy
During times of economic uncertainty, should you max out your 401(k) contribution or build your emergency fund? Experts are saying you should not forgo emergency savings. According to a recent study by Fidelity Investments, more than half of savers are…
Retirement preparedness dropped below pre-pandemic levels
According to the latest study from Fidelity Investments, over 50 percent of Americans are falling short of having enough savings to cover everyday essentials when they retire. Only 32 percent of Americans say they are on track to retire comfortably,…