For many Americans, social security benefits make up a significant portion of retirement income. When it comes to how much you will receive, you may be surprised to learn that you have a choice in the matter—and timing is everything. The longer you wait to claim your benefits, the larger your monthly payment will be,
Do your children act like money grows on trees? If they observe you effortlessly pulling out the credit card for every purchase or they play video games where they can buy accessories for avatars, it’s understandable why they hold onto that cliché. This can lead them to believe they can buy whatever they want without
It’s already 2020. Once again, the holidays were a blur—and, once again, Congress passed significant legislation at the last minute. This time, it was the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, which was signed into law on December 20, 2019. In the eyes of some commentators, this is the most significant retirement
For many, the holidays are a time for giving back—whether by donating to a favorite charity or helping out a family member. Before you make a donation or gift, however, it’s important to choose the right strategy, paying close attention to potential tax and legal implications. Charitable Giving If there’s a charitable organization you’d like
As a taxpayer, were you disappointed by your 2018 tax return? Perhaps you found out that you owed taxes because your paycheck withholdings were insufficient. Or maybe your refund was smaller than you anticipated. Due to changes in tax withholding rates and limited deductions, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 created surprises like
A new year has begun. It’s time to evaluate what worked well for you financially in 2018 and whether you need to make any changes for 2019. As you do that, you’ll want to put together a plan for this year’s charitable giving. A good place to start the process is to consider the following
As 2017 draws to a close, it’s time to begin organizing your finances for the new year. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of key planning topics to consider. Savings and investments Revisit your retirement contributions. Review how much you’re contributing to your workplace retirement account. If you’re not taking full advantage
After years of dutiful payments, you find yourself in the enviable position of having enough accumulated savings or discretionary income that you could aggressively pay down—or completely pay off—your mortgage. But should you? Are there better ways to ensure your financial security? Making the best choice for you Paying down your mortgage faster—or paying it
Facing heavy college debt burdens and an unpredictable job market, many young adults today are returning home to live with their parents. In fact, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, more than 32 percent of young adults lived with their parents in 2014—more than lived alone or with a spouse or
The New Year is symbolic in many respects. It gives you a chance to start fresh and set some goals that can improve your life in ways large and small. But if you’re like many people, familiar resolutions like “lose weight” or “go to the gym” slowly fade into darkness by mid-February, leaving you feeling
