Retirement

By Richard Eisenberg, Next Avenue Managing Editor getty Retiring from full-time work can be scary financially, when you no longer have a steady paycheck to count on but still have bills to pay. That’s why my “Friends Talk Money” podcast co-hosts Terry Savage, Pam Krueger and I just devoted our latest episode to ways to

The US Department of the Treasury recently issued the new National Strategy for Financial literacy. This is much needed, in particular in a time of crisis and a good part of the report is devoted to how to help people in these difficult times and the critical role of financial education. Since the start of

HUD could improve the HECM Reverse Mortgage Program with a few simple rule changes getty This article proposes changes in HUD policies that would support an enhanced HECM that is part of an integrated retirement plan. Such integration will generate the following benefits: Larger payments to borrowers that can increase annually and last until death.

By Nancy Collamer, Next Avenue Contributor Getty Do you feel stressed, anxious or depressed at work these days? You’re not alone. A recent survey conducted by FlexJobs and Mental Health America found that 75% of people have experienced burnout at work, with 40% saying they’ve felt it during the pandemic specifically. And according to a

By Dr. Sharon K. Inouye, Next Avenue Contributor and Director of Aging Brain Center getty Imagine the end of the pandemic — with new cases and deaths trending down towards zero — a time we are all eagerly anticipating. Key to achieving this goal will be the development of effective treatments and vaccines. Yet, based

By Richard Eisenberg, Next Avenue Managing Editor getty Millions of Americans are rightly concerned about the future solvency of Social Security. But there’s another key Social Security concern: the prevalence of people starting to claim their Social Security benefits early, depriving them of larger payments from the government by delaying. When to begin claiming Social

A model portfolio—along with a sober assessment of future returns. Retirement getty Whew. If you didn’t panic and sell, your portfolio has recovered from the pandemi-crash. Now you can look forward to a rich retirement. Somewhat rich. You’re going to be earning a 2% annual return on your savings. That return, which is after inflation

getty This article deals with the second provision that may limit the amount of Social Security benefit you are eligible to receive if are you a public sector/civil service employee under (STRS, PERS, CSRS, Railroad Retirement, etc.). Last month I wrote about the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) which is the other limiting provision. Read more

getty It has been a pretty tough September for investors. At certain times during the month, the S&P 500 had dropped almost 6%. Investors are back to experiencing days in the market that are either up or down hundreds of points on the Dow. With the pandemic creeping along and the upcoming presidential election, investors are frustrated, tired

The Medicare Plan Finder has some big pluses and minuses. 65 Incorporated Over the last few months, it seems as though every time I visit the Medicare Plan Finder, something has changed – an interactive map, different fonts and layouts, new filters and more. However, there is one change that rises to the top of my

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) holds a weekly press … [+] conference at the Capitol on September 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. Pelosi paid tribute to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg saying the late justice will be the first woman as well as the first Jewish person

Even if you didn’t experience it personally, you probably have vicariously felt the disturbances caused by the sudden and massive unemployment earthquake. It shook your families, your neighbors and the economy. And now, you may be experiencing an aftershock yourself – your own unexpected early retirement. Whether you’re a dual income 50-something teacher who is

getty Taxpayers who run into dead ends dealing with the IRS have an option few know about. It’s free, and it can be effective. After receiving answers from the IRS they think are wrong or no answer at all, most taxpayers believe they have only two choices. One choice is to give up and accept.

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 26: Seventh U.S. Circuit Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett looks on while … [+] being introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump as his nominee to the Supreme Court during an event in the Rose Garden at the White House September 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. With 38 days until the election,

IRA individual retirement account. Stack of money and calculator. getty The Covid-19 pandemic has left millions of people out of work, and while the extended unemployment benefits are helpful, they may not be enough for everyone. If you find yourself in a financial bind, you might be curious about tapping your individual retirement accounts for

getty If you’re like most employees, one of the most important decisions that will impact your financial future has already been made for you. In 2006, Congress passed the Pension Protection Act. Despite the law’s name, it represented a watershed event for retirement savers using a 401(k) plan. It allowed employers to change how employees

By Ralph Mroz, Next Avenue Contributor getty Surveys show that most people would prefer to grow older, and even die, in their own home. This desire isn’t hard to understand. While you may have already downsized to a more manageable home or condo, you won’t have to move again, which is emotionally straining, physically taxing

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) on screen, provides his remarks to … [+] Steven T. Mnuchin, Secretary, Department of the Treasury (Photo by Toni L. Sandys-Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images Economy Is Looking Bad With the prospects of a stimulus package souring (see the tussle between Sherrod Brown and Steven Munchin yesterday), the

The most expansive legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act in the 10 year history of the law and an attack on the ability of the Federal Trade Commission to reimburse consumers for harm highlight the Supreme Court’s coming term for seniors, the AARP Foundation announced this week. The term starts October 5. The importance

Looking to an u unknown future getty Are you prepared to live a long time? You should be because many Americans are now living well into their 90s and 100s. If you are over 60, you can probably remember a time when a radio personality by the name of Paul Harvey used to wish a