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RMDs Don’t Have to Drive Up Your Taxes. Here’s How to Avoid the Hit.

RMDs Don’t Have to Drive Up Your Taxes. Here’s How to Avoid the Hit.

Key Points Required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin at 73 or 75 for people with money in a traditional retirement plan. While RMDs can raise your taxes, a lesser-known rule may help you avoid that. If you don’t need your RMDs to pay bills and want to be charitable, there’s an option worth taking advantage of. […]

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Retiring With a Government 457? How to Decide Between Your 401(k), 457, and Roth Conversions for That Unused Leave Payout

Retiring With a Government 457? How to Decide Between Your 401(k), 457, and Roth Conversions for That Unused Leave Payout

Key Points Government 457 plans can offer rare penalty-free early access, which is crucial if you may tap funds before 59½. Comparing each account’s fees, investment options, and Roth-conversion tax impact can change where that payout belongs. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Retiring from government service raises big questions about […]

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Do Capital Gains Change Your Tax Bracket? What Investors Need to Know

Do Capital Gains Change Your Tax Bracket? What Investors Need to Know

Key Points Short-term capital gains are taxed as ordinary income and can push you into a higher marginal bracket. Long-term gains get lower rates but still raise AGI, affecting Medicare costs, surtaxes, and subsidies. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Capital gains can reshape your tax picture, from your marginal bracket […]

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Worried About Spending in Retirement? Why a Phased Decumulation Plan Could Be Your Best Move

Worried About Spending in Retirement? Why a Phased Decumulation Plan Could Be Your Best Move

Key Points The video explores why lifelong savers struggle to start spending in retirement and how that affects withdrawal plans. It explains how test-driving retirement spending while still working can reduce anxiety and improve plan flexibility. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Shifting from decades of saving to confidently spending in […]

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How to Maximize Your Retirement Income in the 5 Years Before You Retire

How to Maximize Your Retirement Income in the 5 Years Before You Retire

Key Points Pick the best time to claim your Social Security benefits…and to retire. Consider taking on a side gig for a while. For some retirees, cashing out a life insurance policy or taking out a reverse mortgage can help. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Are you planning to retire […]

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10 Social Security Facts Every Pre-Retiree Should Know Before They File

10 Social Security Facts Every Pre-Retiree Should Know Before They File

Key Points Your Social Security benefits may be smaller than you expected. There are ways to beef up those benefits. When you claim your benefits makes a big difference. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Whether you realize it, Social Security is likely to provide a meaningful chunk of your income […]

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5 Little-Known Social Security Benefits Most Retirees Never Claim

5 Little-Known Social Security Benefits Most Retirees Never Claim

Key Points Not every retiree qualifies for these additional Social Security benefits. Many retirees don’t know about the benefits, even though they’re eligible. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Over 75 million Americans rely on Social Security during retirement. Most of them understand the key facts about receiving benefits, especially that […]

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3 Big Social Security Changes Coming in 2027 May Surprise Retirees

3 Big Social Security Changes Coming in 2027 May Surprise Retirees

Key Points Social Security benefits will receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2027. The Senior Citizens League estimates payments will increase 3.8%. The Social Security earnings limits will increase in 2027, allowing beneficiaries under full retirement age to earn more income before benefits are withheld. Social Security’s maximum taxable earnings limit will increase in 2027, […]

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There’s More Than 1 Way to Save Social Security. Here’s What Congress Can Do.

There’s More Than 1 Way to Save Social Security. Here’s What Congress Can Do.

Key Points Social Security is facing a massive financial shortfall. Benefits could be reduced broadly without big changes. Lawmakers have several options for preventing benefit cuts, but each seems to come with a big drawback. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you’ve been hearing rumors that Social Security is on […]

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2 Times I’d Definitely Recommend Skipping Your 401(k) Match

2 Times I’d Definitely Recommend Skipping Your 401(k) Match

Key Points Claiming a 401(k) match doesn’t make sense if it would create financial stress today. Your 401(k) has a vesting schedule that determines when you can keep your company-matched funds. If you don’t plan to stay long enough to become fully vested, there’s no point in chasing a 401(k) match. The $23,760 Social Security […]

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3 Solid Income Strategies That Could Help You Avoid Running Out of Money in Retirement

3 Solid Income Strategies That Could Help You Avoid Running Out of Money in Retirement

Key Points Delaying Social Security gives you more monthly income. An annuity provides guaranteed payments. A cash cushion protects your savings during a market downturn. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › One of the biggest fears retirees tend to share is running out of savings. Given that you don’t know how […]

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Philadelphia Voters Approve City-Run Retirement Savings Program: How It Would Work

Philadelphia Voters Approve City-Run Retirement Savings Program: How It Would Work

Key Points 78.4% of Philadelphia voters backed the establishment of PhillySaves. Businesses that can’t typically offer employees a retirement program will now be able to. PhillySaves is designed to enable employers to sidestep time-consuming, expensive administrative tasks. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › On May 19, 2026, more than three-quarters (78.4%) […]

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How to Prepare for RMDs Starting at 75 — Even if You’re Only 60 Right Now

How to Prepare for RMDs Starting at 75 — Even if You’re Only 60 Right Now

Key Points RMDs can create huge tax headaches. Planning for them ahead of time could save you money and hassle in the long run. Consider a spread-out Roth conversion if you have a large amount of money in a traditional retirement plan. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you’re 60, […]

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2 Advantages and 2 Drawbacks of Working While Claiming Social Security

2 Advantages and 2 Drawbacks of Working While Claiming Social Security

Key Points Working while claiming could increase your future benefits and standard of living. It could also put you at risk of losing money to the earnings test. You may owe benefit taxes on up to 85% of your checks. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › You’ve probably thought carefully about […]

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Social Security’s 2027 COLA Is Set for a Double Dose of History

Social Security’s 2027 COLA Is Set for a Double Dose of History

Key Points Making history and surpassing milestones is nothing new for America’s leading retirement program. A second consecutive year with a “Trump bump” can lead to Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) making history in a nontraditional way. Additionally, some retired workers should enjoy a rare silver lining in 2027. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most […]

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Americans Disagree on How to Save Social Security Before 2032, Polls Find

Americans Disagree on How to Save Social Security Before 2032, Polls Find

Key Points If there’s one thing survey respondents agreed upon, it’s that something must be done to prevent cuts to retiree benefits. In one survey, 96% of respondents said Senate candidates must explain their plans to prevent Social Security cuts. Cutting benefits, raising taxes, and raising the retirement age all failed to find support among […]

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