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The 1 Reason to Delay Social Security When You Don’t Expect to Live a Long Life

The 1 Reason to Delay Social Security When You Don’t Expect to Live a Long Life

Key Points When you have a shorter life expectancy, delaying Social Security past full retirement age could leave you with less lifetime income. If you only have your own needs to worry about, it could even make sense to file early. If you’re married and are the higher earner in your household, waiting could be […]

The Motley Fool
3 Steps to Inflation-Proof Your Retirement

3 Steps to Inflation-Proof Your Retirement

Key Points Inflation will likely make retirement more expensive over time. The right investment mix could act as a safeguard. Claiming Social Security strategically could also help. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › In the course of retirement planning, there are certain things you probably know to think about — your […]

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How Sec. 530A “Trump Accounts” Impact Intergenerational Giving Decisions

How Sec. 530A “Trump Accounts” Impact Intergenerational Giving Decisions

We often tend to think of giving from one generation to the next in terms of inheritance, with a parent passing on their assets after death. However, some parents (who are confident that they have more than enough funds to last their own lifetime) want to be more proactive in giving to the next generation. […]

Michael Kitces
Social Security’s 2027 COLA: What We Know So Far, and What We Don’t

Social Security’s 2027 COLA: What We Know So Far, and What We Don’t

Key Points Social Security’s upcoming cost-of-living adjustment is shaping up to be larger than 2026’s 2.8% raise. Current forecasts are incomplete because key inflation data hasn’t arrived yet. An official COLA should be announced in mid-October. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › For seniors on Social Security, there’s perhaps no more […]

The Motley Fool
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Designation is Not a Very High Bar

Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Designation is Not a Very High Bar

By Jonathan Ping, originally published at My Money Blog. Last year, I took an official Certified Financial Planner (CFP) course, which satisfies the “Education” requirement of becoming an official Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Mine was online and self-paced at the University of Georgia with a net cost of around $3,000. I did not take the […]

Jonathan Ping
14 Questions I’m Thinking About

14 Questions I’m Thinking About

By Ben Carlson, originally published at A Wealth of Common Sense. When living through uncertain times like these, many people seek the certainty of answers. Investors want to know how this AI capex cycle will end. Potential homebuyers want to know if housing prices or mortgage rates will ever come down again. Households want to […]

Ben Carlson
I’m Planning to Downsize in Retirement. You May Want to Do the Same.

I’m Planning to Downsize in Retirement. You May Want to Do the Same.

Key Points While my home makes sense for my current situation, I don’t plan to keep it in retirement. I want to free up money for things other than property taxes, utilities, and maintenance. I also don’t want to retire from a job only to be burdened by hours of upkeep each week. The $23,760 […]

The Motley Fool
Which Graduate Degrees Are the Best Investment? (Why I Skipped My MBA)

Which Graduate Degrees Are the Best Investment? (Why I Skipped My MBA)

By Nick Maggiulli, originally published at Of Dollars And Data. When I was 27 years old I was at a crossroads. I was five years into my career, yet I was stagnating. Though I was making six figures, which was great for my 20s, I knew I couldn’t make much more at my job. Without […]

Nick Maggiulli
This Might Be the Best Financial Decision You Make This Year

This Might Be the Best Financial Decision You Make This Year

By The White Coat Investor, originally published at The White Coat Investor. By Jim Dahle, WCI Founder <!–You likely make more money than almost everyone else in your life. Your friends outside of medicine thought you were rich as soon as you started residency, despite the negative net worth. Your family doesn’t understand why you’re […]

The White Coat Investor
Your Social Security Checks Won’t Be the Only Thing Changing in 2027. 3 Other Program Updates to Expect Next Year.

Your Social Security Checks Won’t Be the Only Thing Changing in 2027. 3 Other Program Updates to Expect Next Year.

Key Points The Social Security Administration makes key program updates annually to reflect inflation changes. These changes affect benefit eligibility, payroll taxes, and the size of certain seniors’ checks. We’ll learn about all these updates and the COLA on Oct. 14, 2026. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › The 2027 Social […]

The Motley Fool
Using A “Pillow Test” To Make The Hard Business Decisions On The Way To $3.5B AUM: #FASuccess Ep 505 With Andrew Rosen

Using A “Pillow Test” To Make The Hard Business Decisions On The Way To $3.5B AUM: #FASuccess Ep 505 With Andrew Rosen

Welcome everyone! Welcome to the 505th episode of the Financial Advisor Success Podcast! My guest on today’s podcast is Andrew Rosen. Andrew is the executive chairman of Diversified, LLC, an RIA based in Wilmington, Delaware, that oversees approximately $3.6 billion in assets under management for 2,500 client households. What’s unique about Andrew, though, is how […]

Michael Kitces
3 Situations Where Claiming Social Security at 62 Actually Makes the Most Sense

3 Situations Where Claiming Social Security at 62 Actually Makes the Most Sense

Key Points Claiming Social Security at 62 can result in benefits shrinking. While experts generally recommend waiting until age 70 to start benefits, sometimes a claim at 62 makes sense. If you don’t have a long life expectancy or if you’re opening up the door for your spouse to delay their own claim, waiting until […]

The Motley Fool
Can You Really Work While Collecting Social Security? The Key Rule You Need to Know.

Can You Really Work While Collecting Social Security? The Key Rule You Need to Know.

Key Points Seniors are permitted to work while collecting Social Security. Depending on your age, you may be subject to an earnings limit. If your wages exceed a certain threshold, you could have benefits withheld. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › For many older Americans, claiming Social Security can make it […]

The Motley Fool
Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller Just Issued a Blunt Warning to Social Security Retirees

Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller Just Issued a Blunt Warning to Social Security Retirees

Key Points Stanley Druckenmiller has long believed that Social Security reform is needed to preserve the benefits for future generations. While lawmakers continue to punt on the issue, surging U.S. government debt and bond yields are making the matter difficult to ignore. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › The Social Security […]

The Motley Fool
How Might Declining Population Affect Your Social Security?

How Might Declining Population Affect Your Social Security?

By Rick Kahler, originally published at Financial Awakenings. If you are under 50, will Social Security still be there when you retire? The answer starts with a number, 2.1, that demographers call the replacement rate. When women have an average of about 2.1 children, a country’s population stays level. Below that, without immigration, the population […]

Rick Kahler