Retirement
How Much Money Can You Gift Tax-Free?
The answer depends on how much you have, and how well you use the gift tax laws to your advantage.<p>Americans can give away millions of dollars …
Retirement PlanningCongratulations, College Graduates Of 2017: Time For You To Become Capitalists!
College graduates are unprepared facing the bigger challenges with saving for retirement than their parents had.<p>Why becoming a capitalist is not a …
Retirement PlanningTake More Risk In Life And Less In Investing
“I just really wish I’d taken more risk in my investment portfolio,” said no one–ever–on their deathbed.<p>That may seem like an odd observation, unless you consider the fact that I had the privilege of spending a couple days recently with life planning luminary George Kinder. Among other benefits, I …
Retirement PlanningThink twice and get a second opinion before using tax-deferred dollars to pay off a mortgage
<b>Dear Liz:</b> I'm 54 and plan on retiring at 55 with a government pension. I have about $450,000 in a 457(b) deferred compensation plan. I owe about $220,000 on my home. I would like to pay off my 15-year, 2.5% interest mortgage. This would free up $1,900 a month and leave us debt-free. Everyone I've …
Karen HandelRead This Before You Retire
Countless workers look forward to retirement and the flexible, laid-back lifestyle it offers. Yet a surprising number of retirees ultimately wind up unhappy once they stop working for good.<p>In a 2016 study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, more than 10% of retirees claimed they were "not …
401(k)12 Ways You Can Get More Money in Retirement
Employing just a few of these 12 ways to increase your retirement income can make a big difference. See which ones make sense for you and can boost …
Retirement PlanningCashing out life insurance policy: pros and cons
Some people think that once the kids have completed college or you have paid off your mortgage it is time to cancel or reduce life insurance. Baby Boomers are living longer, and cashing out life insurance can help pay off debt or provide funds for loved ones.<p>But before you decide to cancel your …
InsuranceAndrew Menachem: Knowing your net worth can help you achieve your financial goals
If you’re a working adult, you probably have a good idea of your regular income as well as the household bills you need to pay each month. Managing …
Retirement PlanningLiz Weston: Wife could easily triple her Social Security check
<b>Q:</b> I have a friend who has a selfish, controlling husband. When talking with her recently, she told me she got only $300 a month from Social Security …
Personal FinanceSenators claim illegal tactics being used to collect taxes
Elizabeth Warren and three other Democratic senators are accusing a company hired to collect federal taxes of making illegal and "extremely …
BusinessRetirement Healthcare Costs Are Rising Twice as Fast as Social Security
Social Security can't keep up with growing medical expenses. And countless seniors are going to suffer as a result.<p>For years, older workers have been …
Retirement PlanningWhy Republicans are struggling mightily to overhaul tax code
WASHINGTON – Why are Republicans struggling mightily to reach a consensus on how to overhaul the nation's tax system?<p>The GOP is supposed to be really good at cutting taxes. President George W. Bush cut taxes. So did President Ronald Reagan, though he also raised them.<p>Why is President Donald Trump, …
United StatesChristie's gamble: Transfer lottery to troubled pension system
Gov. Christie, who rose to national prominence years ago after declaring he had fixed New Jersey’s retirement plans, is taking one last shot at …
PhiladelphiaRetirement Rumors Ramp Up For Influential Supreme Court Justice
Justice Anthony Kennedy, 80, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan and has served for nearly three decades.<p>As the end of the Supreme Court term approaches, rumors of retirement have ramped up around Justice Anthony Kennedy, a pivotal judge who often bridges a gap on the bench between …
U.S. Supreme CourtRetirement villages cashing in on our most vulnerable
Tim Allerton is no pushover. From his office on Kent Street in Sydney's CBD, the experienced public relations professional is often called in when …
Survey Says: Most Retirees Are Clueless About Money Management
Three-quarters of respondents failed this basic retirement finance quiz.<p>When you're retired and the biggest source of your income is the savings …
Retirement PlanningMarginal tax rates under the Senate health care bill
To see the problem, consider Brian’s situation. He’s a single adult, age 45, earning $35,000 a year. BCRA (section 102(b)(2)) expects Brian to …
Health CareHow much super will I need?
Whether you dream of cruising around the world, doing a big road trip around Australia, or just pottering about in the garden or improving your golf …
Standard Of LivingHigh police and fire pension rates send lawmakers scrambling
A group of Arizona House lawmakers is launching an effort aimed at cutting the soaring costs to communities of police and fire pensions, with its …
State ConstitutionsYour 4-Point Mid-Year Financial Checklist
Your finances need your attention. Today.<p>Though it might seem like only yesterday that you were ringing in the new year, believe it or not, we're now …
Retirement Planning5 Retirement Expenses You're Probably Not Ready For
If you want to have enough income in retirement, you need to budget for all the likely expenses.<p>Planning for retirement can be quite a challenge. …
Retirement PlanningConway won’t confirm Justice Kennedy retirement rumors
White House aide Kellyanne Conway on Sunday declined to confirm speculation that Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy could announce his retirement …
U.S. Supreme CourtStudent Loans Are Hurting Women More Than Men
Not only do women tend to borrow more for college than their male counterparts, but it takes them longer to pay off their debt. And it's a vicious …
Retirement Planning5 Things to Look for When Shopping for Health Insurance
Are you shopping for a policy? Here are five key things to look for to make sure you can afford health insurance and get the care that you need.<p>If …
Retirement PlanningSupreme Court retirement watch Bingo is all the rage
The annual summer ritual has begun. For most Americans it involves a trip to the lake, a cookout or some fireworks. But in the world of political …
U.S. Supreme Court3 ETFs to Keep You Invested After Retirement
You don't need to give up investing when you retire, but you do need to approach it differently. These funds can help.<p>As anyone of a certain age …
Retirement PlanningThe Average American Has This Much Student-Loan Debt
Student-loan debt in the U.S. is now $1.31 trillion -- more than auto loans or credit cards.<p>As of the fourth quarter of 2016, Americans owed a total …
Retirement PlanningTreasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Just Laid Out a Pathway for Social Security Benefits to Be Cut
If Congress can finally come to a consensus on a Social Security bill, Trump may have little choice but to sign it.<p>According to the April statistical …
Retirement PlanningAll Signs Show the Market Is Overvalued. What's an Investor to Do?
The first step: Keep calm and invest.<p><i>Vitaliy Katsenelson is chief investment officer at Investment Management Associates Inc. (IMA), a</i> …
Retirement PlanningWill Trump Fill These Key Social Security Positions?
Vacancies in Social Security leadership have existed for years, but the new president could fill in the gaps.<p>Social Security plays a vital role in …
Retirement Planning