If you are preparing to retire next year, today’s article provides an overview of critical considerations, including matters relating to retirement expenses, health care (the “often-overlooked” retirement cost), Social Security strategizing, income strategies (and the tax implications of those income strategies), portfolio risk – and preparing emotionally for retirement as well as financially. For more, CLICK HERE.
The foundation of any retirement plan is the age at which we plan to retire. Unfortunately, as today’s article highlights, “that foundation isn’t nearly as solid as we think. We often systematically misjudge when we’ll actually retire, and that can wreak havoc on our finances.” What does a new study – which found that roughly half of Americans retire earlier…
A recent study found that three in five Americans are very likely to work longer than desired – an additional two years on average – to meet their retirement goals. Having to work longer than expected is just one of the many surprises that those approaching (and those in) retirement encounter. In today’s article, a number of financial planners reveal what…
If, like many Americans, you find yourself behind when it comes to having enough saved for a financially secure retirement, one potential way to increase your retirement savings is by taking advantage of catch-up contributions. The author of today’s article cautions “Don’t fall into the trap of underestimating how much these extra contributions can potentially benefit your upcoming retirement” –…
Achieving alpha in the financial markets is no easy feat. As such, the author of today’s article advocates that, in seeking alpha, “all of us need to look in our backyards, where all our personal financial decisions are waiting to be optimized.” How? He outlines a number of strategies pertaining to Social Security benefits, retirement accounts and taxes which, combined,…
Spring cleaning need not – and perhaps should not – be limited to your home. Rather, you might be well-served to extend your spring cleaning into your financial life. The author of today’s article identifies seven areas of your financial life to consider including in such an undertaking (including estate planning, investments, debts, and old retirement accounts), tasks to complete…
Retirement calculators are a dime a dozen. Which calculators are worth your time and effort and actually provide useful – and actionable – feedback? The author of today’s article recommends checking out one particular retirement calculator, which he assesses to be one of the best of the bunch and which provides you with two assessments, gauging your “chances of a…
In considering how the new tax law affects your finances, the author of today’s article advises not to neglect its potential impact on your life insurance, noting that the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made significant changes that impact the use of life insurance as an estate protection vehicle and modified the tax ramifications of selling a life insurance policy…
Is a financial crisis coming – and, if so, how can you protect your retirement savings before the economic implosion occurs? These are the issues tackled in today’s article, where the author warns of the possibility of a coming financial crisis as a result of “asset price bubbles, misplaced credit and excessive debt on a global scale.” Will the U.S.’s…
Leverage and retirement don’t conventionally go together – but a new exchange-traded fund targeting retirees who require more income than they can get from a typical 60-40 stock-bond portfolio is looking to include a leverage component in an effort to provide investors with superior returns. As today’s article outlines, “this fund takes those vanilla investments, adds a dollop of exposure…