Retirement Watch Weekly
Even CFOs are Worried About Retirement
It’s no secret that Americans in general are worried about having enough money to retire and are planning to delay retirement beyond what they were thinking a few years ago. But it’s something of a surprise that Chief Financial Officers at 1,400 U.S. companies are delaying retirement and often have no idea when they’ll retire, […]
Answering More Social Security Questions
My recent articles on maximizing Social Security benefits generated a lot of interest among readers and triggered some good questions. In this visit we review some key questions readers asked. My wife died recently. I’m 62 and haven’t begun receiving any Social Security benefits. Since I’m older than 60, I’m eligible to receive survivor’s benefits. […]
Social Security is Paperless
Social Security officially went almost 100% paperless early in 2013. Paper benefit checks no longer are issued. If you don’t schedule electronic deposit into a financial account, Social Security will send you a payment card or debit card. Also, estimated benefit statements no longer are mailed. The statements were mailed to everyone age 25 and […]
8 Estate Planning Steps to Crafting the Right Will for You
You don’t really write your will, and most people shouldn’t try. But you can be sure the will is done correctly. In this visit we discuss how to shepherd your will through the estate planning process. It doesn’t take much to tarnish a gem of an estate plan, and with it your legacy. A misplaced […]
Stepping Up Estate Planning Tax Reduction Plans
Well-off readers and those on the path to wealth should step up their Estate Planning tax reduction plans. You have some breathing room since Congress passed the ?permanent? estate tax in January. But a number of tax reduction strategies still are at risk. Most people won’t be subject to the estate tax. But estate taxes […]
The Most Efficient Estate Planning Way to Help the Grandkids
There are many ways you can help a grandchild or child. There are so many Estate Planning options that people are confused and often procrastinate about helping because they aren’t sure which route to take. Let’s look at the better options and examine the pros and cons of each. Estate Planning Strategy #1 529 […]
Avoiding the Retiree Tax Attack
Income taxes are rising on those in or planning for retirement. Remember, the true value of your nest egg is its after-tax value. Politicians at all levels know that in-come and wealth are concentrated among those 55 and older, so those people are the focus of tax increases. The retiree tax attack tends to be […]
Planning When There are Family Caregivers
Younger family members often care for their parents or grandparents. There often is some agreement that the caregivers should be compensated in some way for their efforts. The compensation often is with an increased share of the estate. Too often, these agreements are haphazard and create both tax and family problems. It’s easy to avoid […]
