Claiming Social Security Benefits Early
In many cases, our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents started collecting their Social Security benefits as late in life as possible. Their generations believed it was a great way to maximize their benefits. As younger generations, we have spent our entire lives listening to their …
How to Go from Making Money to Making Money Happen in Retirement
It’s a concept that is all too important as 4 in 10 Americans are at risk of running out of money in retirement. The landscape changes when you retire. Your goal now is to conserve, grow, maintain and otherwise hold onto what you already have.
Roth vs. Traditional IRA: How to Decide Which Option Is Best for You
Many of us ignore our retirement accounts for much of our working lives. We look at a pay stub and have a vague sense of the “minuses:” Social Security, insurance, taxes. But the traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is one of the most powerful retirement savings tools available, …
5 Reasons to Think About Long-Term Care Planning Today
I once received an email from a family friend about long-term care insurance. He was frustrated over a premium increase – which wasn’t the first rate hike – yet, he was still thankful for the policy. Despite the rising cost, he knew the importance of long-term care insurance in helping prot …
5 Financial Considerations for Americans Thinking About Retiring Abroad
What do you think about when someone mentions the Cayman Islands? Do you think of the pristine white sandy beaches? The clear blue water? Fresh seafood? Snorkeling? While these may be on the top of most people’s mind, some may even consider it a great place to retire.
Yes, Social Security Is Taxable – But Yours Doesn’t Have to Be
As you move toward retirement, you can’t be content just to accumulate assets. You need to develop a retirement income plan that can help guide you when it comes time to turn savings into sustainable retirement income.
Scared of Running Out of Money in Retirement? Here’s How to Avoid It
There are currently about half a million centenarians in the world. The U.S. leads the world in sheer number of centenarians, according to available data. People are living longer than ever, and this plays a significant role in how you plan for your retirement.
5 Common Retirement Fears and How to Overcome Them
By Erin Wood, CFP®, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Advanced Solutions If we’re to believe everything we see in magazine and TV ads, retirement is a time of leisurely bike rides with your spouse, lunching with friends and exploring hobbies like painting or ceramics, all done i …
Yes, You Can Make a Solid Long-Term Care Plan: Here’s How and Why It’s Important
By Matt Lewis, CLTC®, Vice President, Insurance In today’s world it’s fair to say that most reasonable people believe they are going to live a long life. And when you live a long life, it’s also fair to say that sooner or later, we’re going to need some form of care.
From Breadwinner to Retiree: How to Manage the Transition
The transition from breadwinner to retiree can be challenging for many. How can you prepare to enter retirement smoothly?
Medicare Time – Now What? Things to Know as You Start Out
By Matt Lewis, CLTC®, Vice President, Insurance You’re turning 65 this year and Medicare is on your mind. Medicare is a subset of Social Security and run by the Social Security Administration. In my experience, it may be almost as complicated as the Internal Revenue Code! With that said, le …