Retirement Watch Weekly
Choosing Social Security Benefits
I was one of the first to take a hard look at the best time to begin Social Security retirement benefits. Since then, a number of others climbed on board with their own studies and analyses. Economists are very interested in the topic. It’s good to see so many joining the discussion, and satisfying that […]
October 2013
October 25, 2013 11:45 p.m. Your Retirement Finance Week in Review Investors need to be careful now when reviewing three- and five-year returns for mutual funds. We’re past the five-year anniversary of the worst of the financial crisis, and stock indexes have recovered dramatically from that point. Most stock-based mutual funds are going to have […]
Advanced Social Security Strategies for Couples
Social Security benefits are a key source of retirement income. While many people approaching retirement say they don’t plan to rely on Social Security, a majority of those already retired say it is an important percentage of their income. Too many people leave money on the table by not maximizing their Social Security retirement benefits. […]
Why a Living Will Is Not Enough for Estate Planning
Every few years the media latches on to a case of someone in a coma or similar medical distress. The family members and doc-tors don’t agree on what the next step should be, generating the conflict, controversy, and story. The lesson from the media always is: Be sure you have a Living Will. The answer […]
Looking for a New Medigap Plan
It’s Medicare open season again, and that means many of you can consider changing your Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) policy. Shopping for a new policy is wise. It turns out that many people are overpaying. Medigap policies are issued by private insurers but are standardized by the federal government. Insurers can offer only up to […]
Ensuring Stretch IRAs for Beneficiaries
A goal of many IRA owners is to have their IRAs last the rest of their lifetimes and beyond. They’d like the IRAs to be inherited by loved ones and ultimately help fund the heirs own retirements or other needs. This goal is known as the Stretch IRA. The IRA’s life stretches for decades and […]
Avoiding the Obamacare Scams
The most significant of the Obamacare reforms take effect Jan. 1, 2014, and are receiving a lot of publicity. They’re also bringing out the scam artists. Here are some points you need to know. Medicare beneficiaries aren’t required to make any changes because of Obamacare. There are no Obamacare cards or similar documents for anyone. […]
Are Retirees Financially Prepared For Retirement
Almost all media discussions about retirement conclude that most Americans are financially unprepared. Some paint very dire pictures of the fate of current and upcoming retirees. Yet, surveys of retirees aren’t that pessimistic. Indeed, most retirees and pre-retirees say they’ll be just fine financially, perhaps after making a few adjustments. Consider this discussion of the […]
