Many of us remember the phrase “too big to fail” from the 2008 financial crisis and cringe now that its use has been resurrected during the coronavirus pandemic. Others remember that the term was also used in 1984 by U.S. Congressman Stewart McKinney when he talked about the FDIC’s intervention with Continental Illinois, which became … Read more
How long might you live in retirement? Think carefully. Your answer could influence whether you have enough money for a comfortable retirement or just scrape by. According to pension mortality tables, at least one member of a 65-year-old couple has a 72% chance of living to age 85 and a 45% chance of living to … Read more
After years of building financial assets, the time will come when you begin drawing on them to pay expenses during retirement. Before that major turning point arrives, be sure to give careful thought to how much money you will take out of your personal savings and investment portfolio each year. The rate at which you … Read more
Layoffs are a fact of corporate life as companies grapple with economic cycles and global competition. If you get caught in a corporate downsizing and you are not immediately moving to a new employer, you generally have three options for your retirement plan assets: Leave your money in the existing plan. Take a cash or … Read more
It was January 2000 and Joseph Boeing just landed his dream job at his dream company, headquartered in his hometown of Seattle. Joe just turned 40 and as a mechanical engineer, married to Jill, with three kids, the Boeings were looking forward to the last chapter of Joe’s career, before he retired at age 60. … Read more
With the decline of traditional pensions, most of us are now responsible for squirrelling away money for our own retirement. In today’s do-it-yourself retirement savings world, we rely largely on 401(k) plans and IRAs. However, there are obviously flaws with the system because about one-fourth of working Americans have no retirement savings at all–including 13% … Read more
Take This Quiz: The Social Security Retirement Earnings Test Can you work and receive Social Security retirement benefits at the same time? Yes, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) will apply an earnings test. Part or all of your monthly benefit may be withheld if you earn too much. To help avoid surprises, take this … Read more
Each year for its Retirement Confidence Survey, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) surveys 1,000 workers and 1,000 retirees to assess how confident they are in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement. Once again, in 2019, retirees expressed stronger confidence than workers: 82% of retirees reported feeling “very” or “somewhat” confident, compared with 67% … Read more
Right out the gate, you can see how confusing Medicare can be! Many people feel that you must sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 (even though you are still working or your spouse is, etc.). One of the many myths that we work to combat on a daily basis! Let’s back things up … Read more
During your working years, you’ve probably set aside funds in retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)s, or other workplace savings plans, as well as in taxable accounts. Your challenge during retirement is to convert those savings into an ongoing income stream that will provide adequate income throughout your retirement years. SETTING A WITHDRAWAL RATE The … Read more
Here are some of the most costly and common retirement planning hurdles you’ll want to make sure you avoid No Strategy. If you don’t have a game plan, goals, and a timeline – there’s no clear path to get there or determine when you’ve arrived. It’s like getting in your car with a quarter tank of … Read more
Our Partners:
