Retirement

January 26, 2017Folks at all income levels dream of the chance to retire with enough money to live comfortably. And retiring early, when you’re young enough to fully enjoy it, is an especially enticing prospect. In order to live that dream, early retirees need to track their money carefully making sure no dollar is wasted. But money isn’t early… read more…

January 1, 2026An individual retirement account, or IRA, is a popular tool that’s used to help build your retirement savings. IRAs are tax-advantaged accounts, and they offer direct access to investments. There are four important steps to follow when opening an IRA.… read more…

September 20, 2018Many people look forward to the day they can hang up their work clothes for good and enjoy their golden years. For most people, retirement occurs sometime in their late 60s or even their 70s. However, with careful planning and prudent financial management, it is possible to retire even earlier. There are many factors at play… read more…

March 19, 2023You may be planning to spend your retirement playing golf or traveling the world. But if a financial disaster strikes, you’ll have to find a way to bounce back from it. While you can’t necessarily prevent an emergency from happening,… read more…

August 15, 2025The so-called gig economy is reshaping the way companies sell products and services, and it’s having an impact on how its workers plan their financial futures. While freelancers and independent contractors may have more flexibility, their jobs typically don’t come with built-in retirement plans. If you’re part of the gig economy, here’s how you can plan… read more…

March 29, 2017Not everyone leaves the workforce at age 65. Some people decide to retire before they reach full retirement age, even if they have to miss out on some of the Social Security benefits they’re entitled to receive. Others try to keep working for as long as they can because retiring early isn’t possible or they’re… read more…

September 1, 2023SEPP, which stands for substantially equal periodic payments, is a little-known program that can enable you to withdraw money from your IRA or 401(k) before age 59.5 without facing an early withdrawal penalty. Doing so is permanent, so it may… read more…

March 9, 2017By the time you turn 60, you may be ready to leave the workforce for good. But some seniors aren’t in the financial position to quit their jobs. While working in retirement won’t prevent you from claiming your Social Security benefits, it could affect your benefit amount. If you’re planning to work after you retire,… read more…

March 17, 2023Worrying about having enough retirement savings can keep you up at night. If you’ve barely put anything away, it’s easy to panic or give up on saving altogether. But there’s a third option: You can find ways to funnel a… read more…

May 9, 2023If you’re young, your retirement healthcare needs are probably the last thing on your mind. But even if your golden years are decades away, it might be a good idea to start thinking about how you’re going to pay for… read more…

May 9, 2023An emergency fund can go a long way in keeping you from running out of cash when you lose your job or you’re forced to cover the cost of an emergency expense. Once you retire, you may think that you… read more…

March 11, 2022There are lots of reasons why you might consider buying a home overseas. Perhaps you’ve found the ultimate vacation spot and you want a permanent place to park your stuff. Or maybe the idea of spending your golden years someplace warm and sunny appeals to you. Either way, buying property in a foreign country is… read more…

July 30, 2019One million dollars is often cited as the amount that most people should use as their benchmark when trying to figure out how much they need to save for retirement. But you may be able to retire on less than $1 million, depending on your financial situation. While having a lot of money in the… read more…

August 6, 2018Most people assume that once you hit retirement, it’s time to pack up and move someplace sunny. But surprisingly, many American seniors aren’t interested in straying too far from home. A survey from The American College of Financial Services found that 83% of retirees or near retirees had no plans to relocate in their later years.… read more…

April 24, 2025Deciding when to retire is one of life’s biggest financial decisions. Many people wonder if they should wait to retire until age 70, and for good reason. Delaying retirement can boost your Social Security benefits. Your monthly checks could increase by up to 24% compared to retiring at full retirement age. It also gives your… read more…

November 16, 2021Planning for retirement involves more than just mapping out your savings strategy. You’ll need to know how much you can afford to spend once you leave the workforce. In the past, some financial experts recommended that retirees stick with the 4% rule when making retirement withdrawals from a 401(k) or similar retirement account. But it may… read more…

August 15, 2025More and more seniors are staying in the workforce in their 60s and beyond. Some keep working out of financial necessity. Others want to wait to retire until age 70, when they’ll receive the maximum in Social Security income. Still others stay in the labor force because they derive satisfaction and enjoyment from their jobs.… read more…

April 11, 2017Saving for retirement is a common financial goal, but it’s often easier said than done. A new survey suggests that despite the pressure to plan for the future, retirement savings rates have dropped. Meanwhile, concerns about not having enough money in retirement have risen. If you haven’t saved much for your golden years, keep reading… read more…

May 9, 2023Traveling and volunteering are both great ways to spend your golden years. But some seniors are more interested in starting the businesses they’ve always dreamed of founding. Donning a small business owner’s hat later in life can be rewarding, but it comes… read more…

July 24, 2018Social Security benefits supplement existing savings in retirement and while they’re valuable to many seniors, they’re often misunderstood. In a recent survey, only 28% of participants earned a passing grade when quizzed on their knowledge about Social Security. Here’s a look at the most common things seniors get wrong when it comes to Social Security. Find… read more…

May 18, 2016One of the most challenging aspects of raising teenagers is helping them develop good money management skills. Teaching them how to budget and save can help them build a solid financial foundation. Setting up a custodial IRA can help them start preparing for retirement. Basically, it’s a traditional or Roth IRA that you’ll maintain control… read more…

May 10, 2016Tying the knot means making a commitment to share every aspect of your life with your significant other. As you begin merging your money, one area that requires special attention is your retirement planning strategy. Building a nest egg as a team can be easier than doing it alone if you know which steps to… read more…

September 6, 2023Everyone wants to be able to retire comfortably, but making that dream a reality is easier said than done. Even if you’re socking money away here and there, there’s no guarantee that you’ll have enough cash for your golden years. In… read more…

February 20, 2020As the baby boomer generation ages into their 60s and 70s, the number of retirees in the United States is going to increase. So too will their economic sway. Many retirees, no longer anchored to a city or region by their job, choose to pack up and leave. Some seek a lower cost of living.… read more…

April 8, 2025Retirement planning involves making strategic decisions about how to manage your savings for long-term financial security. One option that some retirees consider is converting an IRA to an annuity. This financial move transforms your retirement account from a self-managed investment vehicle into a product that provides guaranteed income streams. While IRAs offer tax advantages and… read more…