Retirement Articles
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The New Rules of Social Security [Retirement Watch Fact Check]
Almost everyone has a Social Security number, and is eligible for Social Security benefits (starting at age 62). Yet, survey after survey indicates people know little about the program and its benefits. Moreover, a lot of what people think they know is wrong. Let’s take a look at some of the key misunderstandings and oversights […]
How to Incorporate a “Portfolio Transition” in your Estate Plan
Have you ever considered how your investment portfolio and other assets will be managed in the future? Odds are — after you’re no longer managing the assets — nothing good is going to happen. Now that may sound awfully negative… but I’ve discovered that too many people neglect to include an investment portfolio transition in […]
Making the Best Use of Home Equity in Retirement Income
The residence usually is one of the most valuable assets retirees own. It also is one of the worst-managed assets. Few people realize the home can be used to increase retirement cash flow or know how to do so efficiently. In the past issues of Retirement Watch, we’ve gone over reverse mortgages and issues related […]
The “Financial Emergency Kit” Every Estate Needs (Part 2)
In Part 1 of this article I talked about the importance of having a Financial Emergency Kit, along with a few of its essential elements. So this week, let’s continue the discussion and review the other important elements that make up your Financial Emergency Kit, starting with: A letter of instruction, which can be valuable […]
The 6 Biggest Risks to your Retirement
What you don’t know about retirement can hurt you. In fact, just a few wrong decisions in your investments, taxes, or estate planning could completely derail your retirement plans. Worse yet, the rules of the game keep changing, making it harder to keep up with. For these reasons, I’ve assembled all the key points – everything you need to know — into one comprehensive report. Click here for free access.
The Financial Emergency Kit: How to Build a Complete Estate Plan
Many people think they have estate plans… but oftentimes it turns out they really don’t. I’m not talking about those who haven’t done any planning and don’t even have a basic will. I’m talking about people who have taken action on their estate plans — and yet have plans that are woefully incomplete. You see, […]
Are You Saving Too Much for Your Retirement?
The media regularly run headlines about how Americans are unprepared for retirement, primarily because they haven’t saved enough. But there’s another view that doesn’t receive as much attention. In this view, many people might be saving too much for retirement. That could be good news for their heirs, but they could be shortchanging themselves. And […]
Estate Planning Without Wills & Trusts – Part 2
In Part 1 of this article, I shared some of the avenues through which you can ensure transfer of assets without the need for wills and trusts. So this week, let’s continue the discussion with more ways to avoid probate and transfer property… starting with: Bank accounts. Though once obscure, payable on death (POD) bank accounts […]
How to Manage Your Estate Plan without Wills & Trusts
You might be surprised to learn that many estate planning goals can be accomplished without wills and trusts. In fact, using other tools can spare you some of the expense and complications of wills and trusts. These strategies also cause the assets to avoid the delay and expense of probate, transferring the title of each […]