Beneficiary Planning for Retirement Accounts, Part I – Leaving it to your Spouse

Completing and periodically reviewing beneficiary paperwork is the one of the most important administrative tasks a retirement plan participant can take. Overlooking this seemingly easy step can lead to the wrong individual(s) inheriting your retirement nest egg; there have been too many unfortunate stories regarding non-updated beneficiary designations to leave this unattended. Hence why, like all estate planning documents, periodic check-ups should be implemented so that any necessary changes are made in a timely manner....

Key Facts About Claiming Social Security Early

Social Security is designed so that the average person gets the same amount in total lifetime benefits regardless of whether they claim early at 62 or wait until 70. That means that the size of the monthly Social Security check that hits your bank account is less if you claim when you're younger and more if you claim when you're older....

Better to Know What You’re Up Against

More and more today, we realize a secure path through retirement is riddled with challenges and uncertainty. I believe the best way to beat that uncertainty back is to be cognizant of the challenges ahead and plan accordingly. This is why for me the importance of having a plan in place for retirement can’t be overstated, and that plan must be rooted in reality if it’s going to be of any use....

Where Half Your Budget Goes In Retirement

A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that retirees in the 75-above bracket incur an average of $36,673 in expenses annually. More than half of this amount goes to housing ($13,375) and health care ($5,708), the report says....