Retirement

The American College of Financial Services just released its fourth Retirement Income Literacy Study. Every three years in the past decade The College has conducted a comprehensive survey of retirement income literacy, and these surveys have helped measure Americans’ understanding of key retirement planning issues. I draw four conclusions from the current iteration of this

A new bill winding its way through Congress aims to increase retirees’ net income from Social Security by eliminating federal taxation of benefits. Unless the You’ve Earned It Act miraculously becomes law, it is important that you understand how your Social Security benefits are taxed at the federal level. You’ve contributed towards your Social Security

Marriage is hard, and money makes it harder. Merging two lives, two beings who are always changing, is a delicate balance of individual autonomy and collective submission that requires perpetual calibration. Into this fragile ecosystem, each partner brings their own financial history, and the balance sheet—what you own and what you owe—is just the beginning.

Most of today’s pre-retirees and retirees will fall short of the retirement income replacement goal that’s commonly advocated by retirement planners. According to planners, you need a gross retirement income from all sources that ranges from 70% to 85% of your preretirement pay; attaining that goal will replace all your after-tax, spendable income while you

According to a study by the Pew Research Center, about 27 percent of American seniors live solo. They can include your aging parent or other loved one. Many are widowed or divorced. What is it like for them and what does it take to have a satisfying life? Retired business manager (RM), age 65, is

There seems to be a lot of confusion about whether you can pay your Medicare premiums from your health savings account (HSA). Technically, you cannot pay your Medicare premiums from your HSA. But yes, you can use your HSA funds to pay your Medicare premiums. Keep reading as we explain. Can You Pay Medicare Premiums

In late January, I talked with Bill, a client whose job, along with his healthcare insurance, was eliminated and he needs Medicare by March 1. My first question was, “Are you enrolled in any part of Medicare?” He replied that Social Security enrolled him in Part A, hospital insurance, when he signed up for retirement

The labor market added another 353,000 jobs in January. The Bureau of Labor Statistics revised the estimates for the prior two months up by 126,000 jobs. Amid these strong jobs gains, the unemployment rate stayed at 3.7%. It now has remained below 4% for 24 months, the longest such period since the early 1960s. As

Many Americans depend on Social Security to make ends meet each month. Depending on your total household income, you may be surprised that you owe taxes at the federal level on your Social Security benefits. Your state of residence will determine the taxes you owe on your Social Security benefits at the state level during

Start Early and Get to Know the Social Security Program I have been advising people for years now on the various ideas they have when it comes to claiming Social Security benefits. Social Security is a program that is loaded with rules. But as you get closer to retirement, it is important that you familiarize