Financial Planning
3 Reasons to Plan for Long-Term Care Cost
A research study from the National Bureau of Economic Research estimated that an average 50-year old has approximately a 53% to 59% chance of entering a nursing home during their lifetime. And, 14% of people need long-term care for longer than five years. When you consider that the average rate for a private room in…
Read MoreReviewing Your Healthcare Needs in Retirement
Your healthcare needs can change in retirement, as can the way you pay for them. At 65, most Medicare beneficiaries must start navigating a new system. If you are or will be a Medicare beneficiary, one important date that should make it onto your calendar is October 15th. This is the beginning of the Medicare…
Read MoreBe Aware of 401(k) Fees
Do you know how much you’re paying in 401(k) fees? Or that you’re being charged fees at all? According to a TD Ameritrade Survey, 27% of participants didn’t know how much they were paying. And, 37% of those surveyed didn’t know they were charged fees at all. This doesn’t quite square with the fact that…
Read MoreAge Can Have Its Benefits
We typically don’t think of the word “aging” as having a positive connotation. It may bring to mind graying hairs, aching backs, and slowing down. But these things don’t always have to be true, and they don’t necessarily tell the whole story when it comes to getting older. In fact, in most cultures older people…
Read MorePut Your Money to Work
You’ve worked for your money, and retirement is the time to have your money work for you. But what does this mean? Basically, your goal in retirement should be to turn what you’ve saved into retirement income. Many Americans are worried about running out of money, since pensions are rare and there are reasons why…
Read MoreA Plan for a Better IRS Experience
“I love dealing with the IRS,” said no one, ever. But, President Trump has signed a bill that will reform the IRS in an effort to make it more taxpayer-friendly. You’ll still have to pay your taxes, and rule breakers will still be punished, but hopefully the average person will have a better experience with…
Read MoreDon’t forget about Your Old 401(k)s
Do you have multiple 401(k)s? If you left your money in a former employer’s 401(k), you may want to reconsider as you near retirement. According to the Bureau of Labor Statics, Baby Boomers have held an average of 12 jobs by the time they turn 50. When you leave a job, the money you contribute…
Read MoreFinancial Lessons from a Founding Father
July 12th marks the 215th anniversary of Alexander Hamilton’s death. As the first secretary of the treasury for America, he created the first national bank, consolidated the new country’s war debts, and established credit the country could count on. You could say he was America’s Chief Financial Officer. He was also a self-taught immigrant who…
Read More3 Things to Do if the Stretch IRA Dies
The House of Representatives voted in favor of the Secure Act 417-3, and the bill is now on a fast track to vote in the Senate. The bill would do away with the tax-planning strategy for inherited IRA commonly referred to as the “stretch IRA.” “Stretching” an IRA allows beneficiaries to take required minimum distributions…
Read MoreCovering Long-Term Care Costs
Some of the major expenses you’ll need to anticipate in retirement are your healthcare costs. There are many choices to make when it comes to choosing a Medicare plan, using an HSA, and qualifying for Medicaid. One healthcare cost that is easy, but possibly detrimental to overlook is long-term care. It’s estimated that 52% of…
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