- What Is a Direct Rollover?
If you’re considering changing jobs or starting a business, make sure you don’t throw away any retirement funds you’ve built up. Whether you have worked at the same place for decades or are making a career change in your twenties, you can roll an old employer-sponsored 401(k) into a different retirement account tax-free with a… read more…
- Tontine vs. Annuity: Which Is Better?
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in an investment scheme that fell out of favor more than 100 years ago: the tontine. But what exactly is a tontine? The simplest way to describe it is that it’s a kind of annuity – with a twist. If you outlive the other participants, you get… read more…
- This Simple Savings Mistake Could Be Costing You Over $90,000
Retirement plan participants broke record levels of savings in 2021, with higher levels of participation and contributions leading to an average 10% increase in account balances over course of the year. Yet, confronted with increasing inflation and uncontrolled healthcare costs,… read more…
- What Are Secondary Market Annuities (SMAs)?
Secondary market annuities (SMAs) allow annuity owners to sell the future payments of their annuity to a third-party company for a lump sum payment. This allows owners to receive an immediate cash payment, usually at a discounted rate, instead of waiting for future payments. The exchange is less money now or more money spread over… read more…
- New Bill Would Boost Your Social Security Checks by $2,400 Per Year
Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Democratic lawmakers believe they have a plan to fix Social Security for the long term, and in doing so, boost benefits by $2,400 per year. Sanders and U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, (D-Ore.), recently introduced the Social… read more…
- A Guide to the Pro-Rata Rule and Roth IRAs
Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) can prove a powerful tool in your retirement plan, so it may come as no surprise that Roth conversions are a popular method of bypassing Roth IRA income limits. However, many retirement savers are unaware… read more…
- Are IRA Assets Protected From Nursing Homes?
As people age, concerns about long-term care and its financial implications become increasingly significant. Understanding the relationship between individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and nursing home costs is crucial for anyone planning for their future or managing the affairs of elderly family members. While IRAs are designed to provide financial security during retirement, they can also… read more…
- Make Your Retirement Income Go Farther With this Tax-Efficient Withdrawal Strategy
Workers spend decades saving for retirement, building a nest egg they hope will sustain them when the time comes to retire. But saving your money is just one part of the puzzle that is retirement planning. A financial advisor can… read more…
- Falling Short on Your Retirement Goals? Vanguard Says This Will Help You Catch Up
America is saving at an all-time high for retirement. But the global investment firm Vanguard says that just over half are falling short on reaching recommended retirement savings goals or failing to maximize contribution limits. Here’s what the 2022 study… read more…
- When Should You Consider a Roth Conversion? Vanguard Has an Answer
Deciding between a traditional individual retirement account (IRA) and a Roth IRA can be difficult. Choosing when or if you should convert your IRA funds to a Roth account can be even more daunting. Experts commonly recommend that investors compare… read more…
- High-Net-Worth Retirement Planning Guide
For anyone who anticipates retiring one day, planning is critical. This means saving throughout your career, calculating your future Social Security benefits and anticipating your expenses in retirement. But retirement planning for high-net-worth individuals can be even more complex. These… read more…
- How Much Does a $200,000 Annuity Pay Per Month?
An annuity can be an appealing option to build your retirement nest egg. Adding guaranteed retirement income to your retirement can give you financial stability. But the exact amount that you’ll get from an annuity each month will vary. For example, monthly payouts from a single premium immediate annuity can range from approximately $1,200 to… read more…
- How Much Does a $250,000 Annuity Pay?
Many investment options are available as you build your retirement nest egg. An annuity provides guaranteed retirement income and can be a key part of a financial plan. However, annuity payments vary based on several factors, including whether they start immediately or are deferred. As of March 2025, a $250,000 single-life immediate annuity could pay… read more…
- Protect Your Retirement From Longevity Risk
A successful retirement means living out your days happily without running out of money. Longevity risk can throw a wrench in your retirement plans with the possibility of outliving your funds. The good news is that you can factor this risk… read more…
- How to Get a Home Equity Loan With Bad Credit
A home equity loan allows homeowners to convert a portion of their home’s equity into a lump sum of cash. While there are minimum requirements that borrowers must satisfy to qualify, getting a home equity loan with bad credit is… read more…
- Social Security Funds to Run Dry by 2035? Here’s How to Prepare
The Social Security Administration now says the funds Social Security uses to pay benefits will run dry by 2035, one year later than previously predicted. For most Americans those extra 12 months are cold comfort. Will Congress come to the… read more…
- Is Your 401(k) Tanking? Limit Your 2022 Losses With These Kinds of Funds
If your 401(k) rode growth-oriented tech stocks to new heights in recent years, it may be time to change your investment strategy. With stock markets down double digits this year amid economic instability and steep selloffs, growth stock funds are… read more…
- Cost-of-Living Rider Life Insurance
When planning your retirement, it’s important to consider how inflation and a rising cost of living may impact your purchasing power. If you have a life insurance policy, you might decide to add a cost-of-living rider as a potential hedge against inflation. This type of rider can also be added to an annuity contract as… read more…
- How Much Would a $1 Million Annuity Pay?
The amount you collect from an annuity depends on when you invest, the return your specific annuity offers and the details of your particular contract. As a result, it’s difficult to provide a specific answer to what any single person… read more…
- 65% of People Struggled With These Social Security Questions: Can You Get Them Right?
If you’re approaching retirement age, chances are you need to brush up on your Social Security knowledge. A recent MassMutual poll found that most people nearing retirement age don’t know the ins and outs of this vital safety net program.… read more…
- How Much Does a $500K Annuity Pay Per Month?
If you’re looking for alternative ways, outside of the stock market and bonds, to create retirement income, an annuity could be right for you. A $500,000 annuity can offer consistent, reliable income in retirement, whether you’re retiring soon or decades from now. Before making an investment decision, you may want to first speak to a… read more…
- How Much Does a $50,000 Annuity Pay Per Month?
The monthly payout from a $50,000 annuity depends on several factors, including the type of annuity, interest rates and the payout period. A fixed immediate annuity might provide roughly $200 to $300 per month for a lifetime payout, while a term-certain annuity could yield higher payments over a shorter period. Variable and indexed annuities offer… read more…
- How to Roll Over a Variable Annuity Into an IRA
There might be situations where it makes sense to roll a variable annuity into an IRA. For instance, your annuity might have high fees, or perhaps you want more control over your investment choices. Or maybe you simply want to consolidate your investments into a single IRA. Whatever the case may be, it is possible… read more…
- How Much Should I Have in My 401(k) at 30?
Planning for a financially secure retirement is a long-term endeavor, often with an unclear final goal — especially for those just beginning their careers. At that stage, retirement may seem distant, and factors like career earnings, investment returns and post-retirement expenses can feel abstract. A common guideline suggests that by age 30, individuals should have… read more…
- Experts Say Stay Invested in a Volatile Market: But What If You’re Approaching Retirement?
With market volatility running high, even seasoned investors may feel the need to reduce their equity exposure in favor of less-risky investments. Some may have already moved their assets into money market funds or cash. However, experts say that acting… read more…