How to Turn Your 2025 Tax Return Into a Retirement Planning Checkup
You have to do your taxes, or Uncle Sam will come calling. Which is basically what Benjamin Franklin was getting at when he said, "In this world nothing can be...
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How Much More Could the 2027 Social Security COLA Put in Your Pocket?
No one can say for certain how large the 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be, but it's a good bet it's going to be around 3.9%. This is...
Social Security Benefits for Spouses: 3 Things Married Couples Should Know in 2026
Social Security benefits for spouses are a common source of confusion. In fact, the University of Michigan Retirement Research Center reports that only 46% of surveyed adults had even heard...
Nearly every state quietly cuts property taxes for people over 65. The hard part is that you have to ask, and most people never do.
In 2026 the breaks got bigger than they have been in decades. The applications are still the part nobody mentions.
Planning on Retiring on Social Security Alone? 6 Tips for Making the Best of a Tough Situation.
A 2025 Senior Citizens League survey indicates that 39% of seniors live on Social Security alone, and given the high cost of living, that's no mean feat. It takes determination...
6 Steps to Take With Your Social Security Strategy Before Summer Ends
Summer is usually a quieter time for stocks, when the Federal Reserve "goes silent" and pauses its economic guidance between its mid-June and late-September policy meetings. That window is an...
Why Early COLA Estimates Are Unreliable — and What Retirees Should Do Instead
If you're collecting Social Security and have been for a while, you should be aware that your monthly benefits can change from one year to the next. That's because Social...
How to Use the Summer Lull to Get Your Retirement Income Strategy on Track
If you watch CNBC for long enough, you will notice that even the smallest events on the dullest trading days can seem like they are really important. It is the...
Social Security’s 2027 COLA Forecast Just Got Higher. Here’s What That Means for Your Monthly Check.
Inflation has reached its highest level since 2023, and in many ways, this is bad news for Americans. Energy prices are the main culprit, and this has made it more...
What Happens to Your 401(k) and IRA When You Die — What Heirs Need to Know
Dealing with death is already emotionally and mentally tough, but unfortunately, the financial side of it isn't always straightforward and easily dealt with. The implications depend on your relationship with...
Frequent Intraday Trading: Understanding the Basics
If you're an avid trader, you might be pursuing--or thinking about pursuing-- a strategy involving frequent, intraday trading. Investors who actively trade securities, including stocks or options, throughout the day...
Why Social Security Checks Get Smaller After 65
If you have claimed Social Security before age 65, you must be aware that a big change is coming once you hit 65. It stems from the fact that you...
How to Stress-Test Your Retirement Income Plan Before Fall 2026
If you're getting close to ending your career, it's important to make sure you've saved enough to kick off your retirement. But seeing how much money you have in your...
Turning 62 in 2026? You May Not Be Able to Apply for Social Security as Soon as You’d Hoped.
You've heard for years that you're allowed to claim Social Security once you turn 62, and now that you're almost there, you can't wait to sign up. Only it's a...
Longevity in Your Family? This Could Be Your Best Social Security Move.
The upside to having a family history of longevity is that you could have a long retirement -- 30 or more years for some, to slow down, travel, and enjoy...
What to Do If Your Retirement Savings Aren’t Where They Should Be at 55
Turning 55 can be a wake-up call for retirement savers. You're only seven years from being eligible for Social Security (albeit at a reduced rate) and you're 10 years away...
Make These Moves Today to Prevent Inflation From Crushing Your Fixed Income
The annual inflation rate currently stands at 3.8%, which means your money is worth 3.8% less than it was this time last year. And when you're living on a fixed...
Here’s How Much the Estimated 2027 Social Security COLA Could Add to the Average 62-Year-Old’s Benefit
You signed up for Social Security this year, and you're already feeling the pinch from rising inflation. Your checks may not go as far as you expected, forcing you to...