Retirement Watch Weekly
How To Simplify the Probate Process
In last week’s issue of Retirement Watch Weekly I presented 10 Steps to Avoid the Probate Process. Since this can be a complicated process, I’ll expand on those and explain the most commonly used probate forms. Probate can be a long and expensive process in which an estate is settled and distributed to the next […]
Social Security Surprises, Quirks, Misunderstandings and Rules for Retirees and Near-Retirees
In my new Retirement Watch Spotlight Series, I’ll share my newest breakthrough strategies for protecting your assets and growing your portfolio, including how to prepare for the next market downturn. Click here now to learn more. […]
Bob’s Journal for 1/7/20
Some Notable Events That Grabbed My Attention This Week Social Security Continues to Let Down Beneficiaries Near the end of 2020, the Inspector General (IG) of the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued more reports on the agency’s shortcomings. A report in December was divided into several sections. One key section focused on a study of […]
10 Steps to Avoid the Probate Process
Happy New Year! A few months ago on the pages of Retirement Watch Weekly, I shared a story called: What You Need To Know about the Probate Process. This was a very popular topic with my readers, so I decided to expand on it. Let’s begin with a recap of exactly what probate is. In […]
Bob’s Journal for 12/31/20
Some Notable Events That Grabbed My Attention This Week Reporting New Tax Law Surprises Congress recently passed, and the President signed into law, the largest legislation — by volume — ever approved by Congress. The Consolidated Appropriations Act was more than 5,000 pages. Most of the media attention was on the fiscal stimulus provisions, but […]
Everything You Need To Know About the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)
The NIIT is the least-known of the Stealth Taxes and the one most likely to surprise retirees. The Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) was created in the Affordable Care Act. It was labeled a Medicare surtax, but the proceeds go into general revenues…not the Medicare trust fund. The NIIT is a 3.8% tax on the […]
Bob’s Journal for 12/24
This 2020 Holiday Season Will Be Different But Not the Worst This 2020 holiday season will be different for Elaine and me, as I’m sure it will be for you. While we have been healthy, our traditions have been shattered. We will have a small Christmas dinner with another couple in the neighborhood who we […]
Is It Time To Re-Think Your Post-Election Retirement Plan?
The 2020 election is over, and not much changed. Not much will change for at least several months. After major elections, regardless of the results, I urge my readers not to overhaul their retirement plans and portfolios in response to the election. Too often, I hear ”experts” advising investors to make significant changes because of […]
