By Rick Kahler, originally published at Financial Awakenings. How volatile your portfolio feels depends mostly on how often you look at it. Daily prices jump around. Weekly prices jump less. Monthly prices are smoother than weekly, and annual prices are smoother than monthly. Checking more frequently does not change your investment. It does change your […]
Rick Kahler
Key Points The average 401(k) match, claimed consistently, could be worth up to $1.38 million by retirement in ideal conditions. Your actual rate of return will depend on how consistently you save, how long your match is invested for, and what kind of return you earn. Claiming a partial 401(k) match, if you can afford […]
Key Points The Social Security 2027 COLA estimate recently fell from 3.8% to 3.6%. Seniors may get a smaller boost than expected next year, though there’s time for this to change. We will learn the official 2027 COLA on Oct. 14, 2026. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Social Security beneficiaries […]
When selling a business, it’s only natural to want to negotiate for the highest price you can. In the context of the advisory business, this has led to a growing focus on the “going rate” valuation multiples of revenue or earnings (EBITDA), with advisors asking what they can do to maximize the overall sale price […]
Michael Kitces
Key Points Claiming the maximum Social Security benefit requires you to pay the maximum payroll taxes for 35 years, then wait to apply till you’re 70. This isn’t realistic for most people. Understanding how Social Security benefits are calculated can help you boost your checks. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › […]
Key Points A lower cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) means a smaller increase in benefits. COLAs are based on July, August, and September inflation rates. Designed to help seniors keep pace with inflation, COLAs sometimes miss the mark. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Projections are a funny thing. What seems like a […]
Key Points Age 62 is when Social Security retirement benefits first become available. Filing at 62 could lead to reduced payments for life. If you don’t have a lot of supplemental income, claiming at 62 could hurt you. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › There’s a reason many seniors get excited […]
Key Points For best results, start investing as early as you can. You might just invest in low-fee index funds; you don’t have to become a stock-market genius. One person really did build up a Roth IRA worth $264 million! The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Let’s address my provocative headline […]
Key Points The 2027 COLA will be announced on Oct. 14. The Senior Citizens League estimates a 3.6% COLA for 2027. Rising energy prices amid the conflict in the Middle East have caused a jump in year-over-year inflation. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Social Security is one of the U.S.’s […]
Key Points Among the states taxing Social Security benefits, most tax with a light touch. The federal government does tax some people’s benefits. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Just about all of us have Social Security benefits to look forward to each month — or we may already be receiving […]
Key Points Decisions you make early in retirement can affect your financial security for life. It’s important that you make smart decisions about when to claim Social Security. You should also take steps to try to preserve your nest egg. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › For older Americans, there’s good […]
Key Points In August, Social Security’s 2027 COLA forecast got downgraded. Current estimates still call for an upcoming COLA that’s higher than 2026’s raise. The shift in the numbers stems from cooling inflation, which is actually a positive thing. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › For seniors on Social Security, the […]
Key Points Delaying Social Security until 70 results in boosted checks. You may not want to wait that long if you have health issues. Filing sooner could make sense if you can’t wait on the money. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › There’s a reason some retirees are tempted to claim […]
Key Points Earning $20,000 in monthly retirement income would provide you with $240,000 in annual income. This is well above the income most retirees have and should be more than enough for most retirees to live comfortably. Saving aggressively throughout your working years is essential if you want to end up with $20,000 per month […]
Key Points While they may not happen, retirees should factor potential cuts into their long-term financial planning. Advocacy groups for Social Security reform are working to protect benefits. Ultimately, Congress will determine whether the Social Security trust fund is shored up or runs dry. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › The […]
Key Points It’s OK to factor Social Security into your retirement income. It’s not OK to make those benefits your sole source of income. Make sure you understand how much income Social Security is meant to replace and the challenges the program faces. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › I was […]
Key Points Social Security is an important source of guaranteed lifetime income. You may be able to maximize your benefits in multiple ways without working longer. Being strategic on how you invest for retirement can help you bring home more Social Security. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Maximizing Social Security […]
Key Points The longer you wait to claim, the bigger your benefits payment gets (and it’s no small amount). Delaying the initiation of your benefits could also raise the benefit your spouse may be due in the event of your passing. Unless you need your Social Security retirement benefits income when you turn 67, waiting […]
