- How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Child?
There’s a lot you have to plan and save for when thinking about your future. Saving for retirement should be at the top of your list. But if you’re planning on buying a home or having a family at some point, you’ll need to start saving for those costs as soon as possible, too. It may… read more…
- How Do Annuities Work?
When it comes to retirement, Social Security and your 401(k) plan don’t always cover you throughout your retirement. If you’re planning for retirement, you might want to also consider opening an annuity. Annuities are long-term investments that help protect you… read more…
- What Is a Thrift Savings Plan?
Everyone has to plan for retirement, but most retirement conversations revolve around 401(k) plans. While ideal for retirement savings, you can only have a 401(k) plan as an employee of a private company. This does not include government or military employees.… read more…
- What Is a Trust Fund and How Does It Work? Definition and Overview
There are many ways to set up a financially secure future for your loved ones. Trust funds, for example, can be a strong way to set your children or grandchildren up for future financial success. Also, contrary to popular opinion,… read more…
- Where Seniors Are Staying in the Workforce
Across America seniors are putting off retirement and staying in the workforce longer. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the percent of Americans age 65 and over who are still in the labor force has nearly doubled in the… read more…
- What Does Per Stirpes Mean in Estate Planning?
Per stirpes is a legal term of Latin origin (translation is “by roots” or “by branch”) that has to do with the transfer of your assets after you pass away. Specifically, it comes into play when the beneficiaries you name… read more…
- Is Discretionary Investment Management Right for You?
Investing isn’t always easy. The decision to buy or sell a specific security requires research, time and the knowledge on how to make a trade. That’s why some people are happy to pass off the work to a wealth manager… read more…
- What Is a Living Will?
A living will is often overlooked in favor of a last will, but both are important and individual documents for you to consider. A living will is a written statement that states your wishes for medical treatment in cases where… read more…
- CPA vs. CFP®: Which Is Right for You?
When you work with a financial advisor, advanced certifications tell you that he or she has put in the work and has the qualifications to do advisory work. Two common certifications are the certified public accountant, or CPA, and certified… read more…
- What Is a Defined Contribution Plan?
About one in five people in the United States collects Social Security benefits each month, according to the National Academy of Social Insurance. Though Social Security benefits provide some income to employees after they leave the workforce, you’ll probably need additional funds to lead a comfortable retirement. That’s where defined contribution plans come in. A study… read more…
- How to Invest for Retirement at Age 50
Many people worry about how much retirement savings they have once they enter their 50s and retirement becomes more imminent. Even if you’re a bit behind on your savings goals, it’s important not to worry and instead make a plan… read more…
- How to Roll Over Your 401(k) to an IRA
There are many reasons why you may have decided to make a 401(k)-to-IRA rollover. You may have left your job for a position at a new company, you may have been laid off or you may have decided to take… read more…
- How to Invest for Retirement at Age 40
If you’re at or near your 40th birthday, retirement is probably still a couple decades away for you. That said, if you haven’t started saving for retirement yet, it can seem too close for comfort. Don’t panic though. There is still plenty of time to get ready for retirement, provided you take the time now… read more…
- What Is a 702(j) Retirement Plan?
There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to planning for retirement, including 401(k) plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and annuities. While saving in any way is great, each of these offer different benefits and drawbacks. One type of plan, though, should be approached with special caution: The 702(j) “retirement” plan. While… read more…
- Top 10 Places for Creatives in 2018
Some cities are more famous for their creative histories than others. For example, Nashville and New Orleans are practically synonymous with their rich musical traditions. Los Angeles is known as the place to be to work on movies and New York has a long history as a place where writers congregate. But are those cultural… read more…
- Where Are Retirees Moving – 2018 Edition
Despite no longer working, retirees are an important part of a local economy. They number in the millions and make up a large amount of consumer demand. As one example of their purchasing power, the Social Security Administration estimates that in 2018 it will pay out approximately $1 trillion in Social Security benefits, 72% of… read more…
- How to Invest for Retirement at Age 30
By the time your 30s arrive, you’ve probably settled into an adult life. But you haven’t really fully embraced “adulting” unless you’ve started saving for retirement. Whether it’s through an employer-sponsored retirement plan or some other financial product, the time… read more…
- How Spending Changes in Retirement – 2018 Edition
In order to know how much you need to save for retirement you need to have a good estimate for how much you will be spending. But predicting how much you are going to be spending in retirement is difficult.… read more…
- The Fastest-Growing Job in Each State – 2018 Edition
In March 2018, the unemployment rate was a low 4.1%, with about 6.6 million Americans unemployed. This is good news for job seekers, as it’s the lowest U.S. unemployment has been since 2000. Different types of jobs are available in different parts of the country, and it can be immensely valuable for workers today to… read more…
- How to Make a Retirement Budget
You’ve worked hard for decades and now the time has come to enjoy yourself. Regardless of what you do in your retirement, you should always be aware of how much you have left in savings. There isn’t just the dangerous issue… read more…
- 5 Retirement Mistakes You May Have Already Made
When you’re counting down to retirement, it’s easy to get caught up in fantasies of your future work-free life. Maybe it’s RV trips to Florida, days on the golf course or quality time spent with family. Whatever your dream retirement… read more…
- 11 Steps to Make $1 Million Last 30 Years in Retirement
Regardless of your age, making sure you have enough money for retirement takes strategic planning. Garnering $1 million in your retirement nest egg might seem like a far-fetched idea but if you start early and manage the money correctly, you might surprise… read more…
- How to Retire in Costa Rica: What You Need to Know
No matter your age, you’ve probably dreamed of retiring on a sandy beach somewhere at some point. Perhaps you’ve started planning your retirement in Florida or San Diego. An even more attractive move could be retiring on a tropical island,… read more…
- Occupations With the Largest and Smallest Pay Gap – 2018 Edition
The gender pay gap has slowly been closing over the past decade. The Census Bureau estimates that in 2016 the average full-time employed woman earned 80.3% of what her male counterpart earned. In 2005, that number was 76.7%. But the gender pay gap does still exist and is more than just a number. When women… read more…
- Retirement Readiness Checklist: 8 Steps You Need to Take
The Social Security Administration defines full retirement age between 65 and 67, depending on your year of birth. Your employer may say something different. Deciding when to retire is one of the hardest decisions you’ll have to make. Retire too… read more…