Key Points By age 35, you’ve hopefully started to build some retirement savings. The good news is that you may have three more decades of wealth building ahead of you. If you’re struggling to find money for your 401(k), a careful budget review could be in order. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely […]
Key Points The average retiree on Social Security today collects about $25,000 a year. With very low expenses, retiring on just Social Security may be feasible. It’s best to set yourself up with outside income so you don’t end up having to pinch pennies. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › There’s […]
Enjoy the current installment of “Weekend Reading For Financial Planners” – this week’s edition kicks off with the news that Vanguard is planning to acquire RIA custodian Altruist and how it is likely to send ripples across the wealth management and asset management spectrum. While it immediately provides Altruist with the backing of an enormous […]
Michael Kitces
Key Points The 2027 Social Security COLA will almost certainly be larger than the 2.8% 2026 COLA. However, it may come in lower than the current 3.6% estimate. We’ll learn the actual 2027 COLA on Oct. 14, 2026. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › We won’t know the 2027 Social Security […]
Key Points Seniors are not required to take required minimum distributions from every traditional IRA and 401(k) you have; the rules are different for each type of account. Even if you are old enough that its time for RMDs from your current 401(k) to kick in, you can skip them if you’re still working and […]
Key Points You don’t need to part with a ton of money each month to build a strong nest egg. Saving $300 monthly over a long period of time could lead to solid savings. The right investment strategy is key. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › There’s a reason workers are […]
Image source: Getty Images If you missed a buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment, you’re not alone. About 29% of BNPL users have paid late at some point, according to Motley Fool Money research. Life gets busy, a due date slips, and suddenly you’re wondering what it’s going to cost you. The short answer: it […]
Key Points The 2027 Social Security COLA projection has declined to 3.6% and could fall further in the coming months. If inflation slows, the COLA will be lower than current estimates suggest. We’ll learn the official 2027 COLA on Oct. 14, 2026. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › The 2027 Social […]
Key Points Typically, retirement benefits from Social Security are earned by paying into the system. If you don’t have enough of an earnings history to qualify, you may still be able to claim Social Security on a spouse’s record. It’s important to understand how spousal Social Security benefits work and when to file. The $23,760 […]
By Jonathan Ping, originally published at My Money Blog. GalaxyOne is a fintech super-app that combines a checking account, stock trading, and crypto. Checking account is through Cross River Bank, FDIC. Brokerage is through FIN2, a FINRA/SIPC member firm. Digital assets are held in custodial wallets with Paxos Trust Company, a New York State-chartered trust […]
Jonathan Ping
By Ben Carlson, originally published at A Wealth of Common Sense. A reader asks: What are top 10 prudent indicators a retail investor needs to know before stepping into equities? Well there are no indicators in the stock market that are foolproof so I’m going to give you 10 things you need to know about […]
Ben Carlson
By Wes Moss, originally published at Capital Investment Advisors. For years, retirement planning has been framed as a numbers game: Save a large enough nest egg, use a withdrawal rule, and hope your money lasts. The numbers matter, but they sure aren’t the whole story. My upcoming book, The Retire Sooner Method, explores what comes […]
Wes Moss
Image source: Getty Images More than 1 in 4 buy now, pay later (BNPL) users regret it once the full cost sinks in. That’s 26% of users, according to Motley Fool Money research — and it usually hits after checkout, not during. Another 57% admit they’ve used BNPL to buy something they couldn’t really afford. […]
Key Points A Roth conversion could lower your taxes in retirement and spare you from required minimum distributions (RMDs). Before doing a Roth conversion, ask yourself what your tax situation looks like. Also figure out how charitable you’re looking to be. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you like the […]
Key Points The annual COLA is set by examining year-over-year changes in the CPI-W from the third quarter. July’s CPI-W number was up 3.4% year over year, and providing an initial clue. Predictions suggest that 2027’s COLA could be among the largest in the past decade. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook […]
Image source: Getty Images The average credit card charges around 21% APR, according to Motley Fool Money research. On a $5,000 revolving balance, that debt costs a little over $1,160 each year in interest. Where the math gets really scary is only making minimum payments, or continuing to pile on new debt. Credit card interest […]
Key Points A 3.6% Social Security COLA could deplete the program’s trust funds much faster than expected. This could accelerate the timeline to possible Social Security benefit cuts. It’s likely Washington will intervene to avoid cuts, but it might have to raise payroll taxes. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › When […]
Key Points It’s common for Social Security recipients to hope their benefits increase a lot from year to year. Large COLAs aren’t actually the gift you might think they are. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › You’ll often hear that retiring on Social Security alone is no easy feat. Those benefits […]
