The economy is recovering from the depths of the pandemic in large part due to the massive relief packages that Congress passed in 2020 and 2021. Just in time for this recovery, Senate Republicans are pushing for cuts to vital programs. According to news reports, Five GOP senators are proposing a commission that would come
Retirement
Bank accounts are often a source of dispute after someone dies. How you fill out the account opening forms and whose name you put on the account will determine who owns the account after you die. It is quite common for someone to think they have opened an account in their name alone – which
By Leslie Hunter-Gadsden, Next Avenue Amid the backdrop of dual pandemics (Covid-19 and structural racism), America’s racial, economic and age disparities have raised the urgency of organizations to address diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The Derek Chauvin trial and ongoing police violence make attention to DEI particularly critical. So, Next Avenue spoke to the four largest
By Richard Eisenberg, Next Avenue The pandemic’s layoffs, furloughs and volatile incomes make it easy to understand why one in five boomers are delaying retirement due to the financial insecurity of Covid-19, according to a MetLife MET survey. But how do you explain this? Another survey, by the Hearts and Wallets financial services research firm,
At the end of March, the White House announced the “American Jobs Plan,” a $2 trillion spending plan which includes a combination of one-time infrastructure spending such as mass transit expansion and water system lead-pipe replacement, and ongoing spending such as electric vehicle purchase rebates and job training programs. As characterized at CNBC, it would
We welcome back required minimum distributions (RMDs) in 2021 after a brief break in 2020 initiated by the CARES Act. Between the suspension of RMDs in 2020 and the rule changes in the SECURE Act, which passed in 2019, many of us need to revisit and adjust our retirement income plans. Before the SECURE Act,
Today’s column addresses questions about how taking early retirement benefits would affect survivor’s benefits taken later, when spousal benefits can be available and how divorced spousal benefits are calculated. Larry Kotlikoff is a Professor of Economics at Boston University and the founder and president of Economic Security Planning, Inc, which markets Maximize My Social Security
If you’re near retirement, there’s a good chance you are in active information-gathering mode, combing the Wild West of the internet for the best advice on how to prepare yourself for such a huge life transition. And there is great information available. You can find endless commentary on things like Roth conversion strategies, investment allocation,
A guide to understanding the relationship between trustee and beneficiary A trust is an arrangement whereby one person (the grantor) places property in the care of another (the trustee) for the benefit of a third (the beneficiary) for the purposes and under the terms described by the grantor. Trusts are often created for the long
You may have heard of the term “gamification.” It means what it sounds like: taking an everyday activity and turning it into a game, or at least something fun. Mary Poppins did this when she reframed the boring mundane chore of cleaning up one’s room into a delightful spoonful of sugar. It’s true. “In every
Caveat Emptor: This piece is not about the fairness of our tax system. This is a simple analysis of the proposed business tax plans in DC at the time of this piece. Draw your own conclusion about the fairness of the tax system, and who should pay what. It seems very likely tax increases will
Today’s column addresses questions about how taking Social Security retirement benefits at 62 might affect spousal and survivor’s benefits, what spousal benefits can be available after a divorce and withdrawing Social Security disability benefits. Larry Kotlikoff is a Professor of Economics at Boston University and the founder and president of Economic Security Planning, Inc, which
Since his death last week, Prince Philip has been remembered around the world as a model of service and a loyal and loving husband. His over 70 years in the public arena as a member of the Royal Family has many feeling that a beloved member of their own family has passed. While memorials and
Prior to passage of the SECURE Act, I posted suggestions for drawdown strategies for the wealthy. A lot has happened in the eighteen months since that post, and strategies for all prospective retirees have changed. The pandemic upended the economy, we have both a new President and a new Congress, and life expectancies have changed.
I understand the problem you face every day when you start working. You have an idea of how you’d like your day to go, and then you turn your computer on. Your inbox was populated overnight by bleary-eyed inbox-zero adherents pounding away in a converted closet. A couple more hours have been consumed on your
President Biden’s $400 billion plan to expand Medicaid’s home and community based services (HCBS) for people receiving long-term services and supports (LTSS) already has accomplished one major goal: It has policymakers and opinion leaders talking about how we care for frail older adults and younger people with disabilities. We not had a long-term care conversation
By Christina Wyman, Next Avenue Last summer, when Ellen DeGeneres was outed by employees for cultivating an abusive work environment that ran counter to the “Be Kind” façade that has long animated her TV talk show and public persona, she responded to the allegations in a way that seemed to at least meet the basic tenets
After a reprieve from required minimum distributions (RMDs) in 2020 due to the COVID-19 relief package in the CARES Act, RMDs return for 2021. Individuals are required to take RMDs from most retirement accounts once they turn age 72. The first distribution needs to come out by April 1 following the year you turn 72.
If you’ve changed jobs throughout your career, chances are you have at least one or two 401(k)s with former employers. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably been unsure about what to do with that money and just left it in the plans. Now that time has passed and your financial decisions are more deliberate,
By Chris Farrell, Next Avenue You’ve probably been hearing about how the Biden administration wants to raise the 21% corporate tax rate and the 37% top income tax rate and 20% capital gains rate for the wealthiest Americans. But changes in the estate tax rules, under consideration by the president and Congress, haven’t received as much