- Side Hustles for Retirees
In the face of fluctuating economies and dwindling pensions, achieving financial stability in retirement can be challenging. As a result, some retirees end up working side hustles to supplement their retirement income. Luckily, there are more ways than ever for retirees to get a side hustle thanks to the gig economy and advancing technology. A… read more…
- How to Calculate Spousal Social Security Benefits
Spousal Social Security benefits allow a person to receive payments based on their spouse’s work record, which can be useful if they have little or no work history of their own. The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s full retirement benefit. However, factors like claiming age and additional earnings can reduce this… read more…
- What Is the Advantage of Investing Early for Retirement?
Investing early for retirement can seem like a daunting task. But it’s a crucial step towards securing your financial future. Kickstarting your savings with enough time will help you build a nest egg that is large enough to pay for your retirement. Let’s break down the potential benefits and obstacles that you could face when… read more…
- Social Security Overview for August 2023: Everything You Need to Know
Millions of Social Security recipients play a common waiting game to see when their monthly benefits checks will hit their bank accounts or debit cards. Unlike most paychecks, Social Security benefit payments for many recipients are tied to a particular Wednesday of the month rather than a specific date. Consider working with a financial advisor… read more…
- The IRS May Be Cutting You a Break on Your RMDs This Year
If you’re confused about the rules surrounding required minimum distributions from retirement accounts in 2023, the IRS is offering some much-needed clarification – and relief. A financial advisor can help you plan for RMDs and manage your taxes in retirement. Find a fiduciary advisor today. When the SECURE 2.0 Act was signed into law in… read more…
- What Is a Beneficiary?
A beneficiary is a person or entity you designate to receive the benefits of a particular account or policy after your death. Designating, reviewing and updating beneficiaries are basic tasks of estate planning. Failing to name a beneficiary or naming the wrong beneficiary can create complications, add costs and increase the delay in settling your… read more…
- What Is a Medicaid Annuity?
The cost of a long stay in a nursing home can quickly deplete your savings. Medicaid can cover many of these costs, but only people of limited financial means can qualify. You might have to expend nearly all your assets to pay for our care before Medicaid can help. By purchasing a Medicaid annuity, however,… read more…
- Is $5 Million Enough to Retire at 30?
Retiring at 30 requires extraordinary planning, discipline and often unconventional career or investment success. While it shares similarities with the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early), retiring at 30 takes that concept to the extreme. To retire at 30, you need more than just a high savings rate. You’ll need a plan that accounts for… read more…
- Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) Realtor
Whether you’re selling or buying a home, figuring out the next steps can be very difficult. What exactly comes after reaching the decision? For most people, there are two answers: First, you find a realtor. Realtors are professionals who help you navigate the (very) complicated world of a real estate transaction. But second, you may look… read more…
- Passive Income Ideas to Boost Your Retirement
Planning for retirement can be a daunting task, especially considering the unpredictability of the market. The 2008 financial crisis serves as a stark reminder of the perils of putting all your eggs in one basket. Many who solely relied on their stocks saw their retirement savings drastically diminish during the crisis. However, a diversified passive… read more…
- Why Is It So Hard to Sell a Home Before Retirement?
Retirement means leaving your job behind, but unfortunately, selling your home can feel like your toughest task yet. From targeting the right buyers to outshining new developments and tackling community restrictions, it’s no easy feat. However, you can unravel the challenges and find solutions to sell your home in a tight market. There are certain… read more…
- Do You Need a Retirement Coach?
While undertaking a life transition, it helps to have a personal cheerleader and mentor. Retirement is jarring, thrilling and intimidating, and it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed or uncertain about the road ahead. That’s where a retirement coach comes in, offering practical guidance and support to help you navigate this new chapter like a pro.… read more…
- How to Plan for Retirement as a Single Person
Planning for retirement as a single person involves a unique set of challenges. But, with a clear understanding of your finances and an individualized approach to financial planning, you can secure a comfortable retirement. Here’s a breakdown of what you should consider when planning for retirement. A financial advisor can help you create a financial… read more…
- In a Lopsided Market, Rebalancing Your Portfolio Is More Important Than Ever
Rebalancing. It’s technical and fiddly, the financial version of auto maintenance and hitting the gym. It can be intimidating, especially because many retirement savers simply contribute over the years and leave their portfolio to grow. It is, in the words of a recent Morningstar article, “about as appealing as a visit to the dentist.” Unfortunately, rebalancing… read more…
- Retirement Planning Strategies for Single Women
General financial advice can apply to many people. But as an individual, there are unique financial challenges that will be specific to you. According to a 2021 Fidelity study about women and investing, almost seven in 10 women feel confident about managing their household budget, but only 31% are confident about planning for their financial… read more…
- What Is a Good Monthly Retirement Income for a Couple?
For a married couple approaching retirement, few things carry more significance than knowing how much income they’ll need to maintain financial stability and live comfortably after they stop working. Budgeting for retirement involves estimating your post-retirement income and calculating your essential and discretionary expenses. This approach helps you to avoid financial pitfalls and increases the… read more…
- How Long Will $100,000 Last in Retirement?
Approximately 41% of Americans have no retirement savings, so if you’ve managed to save $100,000, you’re ahead of many, but still behind others. The big question is: How long will $100,000 last in retirement? The short answer is that it could last for quite a while, but likely only if you’re prepared to stick to… read more…
- How Long Will $8 Million Last in Retirement?
If you have enough money in the bank to last the rest of your life, you can retire. If you don’t, you can’t. It’s as simple as that, although, of course, nothing about retirement is actually simple. Planning out your retirement means making educated guesses about issues well outside your control, from how the market… read more…
- Study Says 40% of Workers Forced Into Early Retirement: Here’s How to Stay Ahead of the Curve
How would you handle early retirement? Instead of having years of investment and growth left, what if you had to start living on your retirement accounts tomorrow? More importantly, what if you had no choice in the matter? A financial advisor can help you prepare for life’s curveballs, including forced retirement. Find a fiduciary advisor… read more…
- The Hidden Retirement Expenses You Should Be Planning For, According to Schwab
Despite your best planning and efforts to prepare for retirement, you’re still likely to encounter some kind of unexpected challenges after you stop working. According to Charles Schwab, there are five retirement surprises, which might come as a financial shock to many older workers. However, if you’re prepared, you can avoid allowing seeing these disruptions… read more…
- 8 Strategies for Generating Retirement Income
Aging gracefully is a common goal, but more and more Americans are discovering that the key to a satisfying retirement typically lies in a diligent financial planning process. Finding the right strategy can often lead to more retirement income and give you the golden years you’ve hoped for. This is why we’ve put together a… read more…
- Is $2.5 Million Enough to Retire at 50?
Whether $2.5 million is enough to retire at 50 depends on your situation, financial goals and expected lifespan. Other factors like healthcare costs, inflation, market downturns and estate planning needs will also factor into the equation. We’ll look at the key factors and how someone retiring at 50 with $2.5 million might build a sustainable… read more…
- How Will the Declining Inflation Rate Impact Your Social Security Benefits?
As inflation continues to fall, next year’s estimated cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security recipients has ticked up to 3%, according to The Senior Citizens League. The organization is now projecting the 2024 COLA will increase the average monthly retirement benefit by a little more than $53.60, bringing it to nearly $1,841. The group’s June estimate… read more…
- Pros and Cons of Downsizing in Retirement
The decision to downsize to a smaller home for retirement is a highly personal one, depending largely on the individual’s financial goals and desired lifestyle. Downsizing can lower your cost of living so you can pursue a better lifestyle. However, it can also be a difficult adjustment, with potential impacts to your tax situation and… read more…
- How Much Does Medicare Cost?
For many Americans, retiring means shifting from employer-sponsored health insurance to Medicare — but this transition isn’t always automatic or cost-free. Medicare consists of four parts, each with its own costs and enrollment deadlines, and failing to sign up on time can lead to penalties. Understanding how to manage these expenses can help you maximize… read more…