Money

Retirement

Today's column addresses questions about cost of living increases for spousal benefits' effects on later COLAs for retirement benefits, taking retirement benefits before survivor's benefits and Social Security options with no saving and health concerns.

Stubborn aging parents and step-parents can create extreme stress for adult children. Who has the right to make decisions? It's a legal question explained here.

No one talks about the "shadow economy," which is a lot more than tax-avoidance schemes for the wealthy. We should.

Joan and Steve Reid planned to retire happily by slashing their spending after moving from New York to less-costly Florida in 2019. Here's what happened.

How high out-of-pocket health costs are causing them financial pain

A reverse mortgage's pros and cons, plus alternatives for retirement income

Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA) plans deliver similar health outcomes and customer satisfaction measures, though MA plans tend to deliver more coordinated care.

Even starting at age 65, the decision to defer income taxes for as long as possible gives the first couple an extra $625,591 if the couple lives to age 87. If one of them lives longer, paying taxes later will be even more valuable to them.

While still in your peak earning years, is there a tax efficient way to give back? Charitable giving can both benefit others and help you set yourself up for retirement.

Crypto currencies are certainly in the spotlight. As they become mainstream, planning issues abound in the tax area, particularly with loss harvesting and gain donations to charity. Here's how you may be able to use the crypto donation option to your advantage.

The arguments against financial education are similar across countries and over time. They tend to be fueled by a good amount of fear. It is time to put the fear to rest. Here are three reasons why.

Last week, I spoke with three individuals who discovered recently that they do not have the Medicare coverage they need.

Taxpayers beware: Despite a great year for government pension funds, they’re still in big trouble, and you’re going to be on the hook to bail them out.

A retiree who has financial assets of only $500,000 and no home equity would be wise to use some of those assets to purchase a deferred annuity.

More than 63 million Americans currently receive healthcare benefits under Medicare, the federal health insurance program for Americans age 65 and older and younger people with certain conditions and disabilities.

If you're within 5 years of retiring, you have a window of opportunity. Don't miss it. A little intentionality now can set the stage for a successful retirement.

Proposals to improve SSI have been around for ages, but didn't make it into the bill. Why not?

Today's column addresses questions about how divorced spousal benefits are calculated, how state pensions can affect spousal benefits and whether COLAs apply to widow's benefits taken years after the record holder's death.

Those who’ve taken on the mantle of leading the true financial planning profession, both from its origins about 50 years ago through today, embody a spirit more like a helping profession than a hardened craft.

Yes, the city has moved past the "pension ramp." But that's only the first step towards responsible pension funding.