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Social Security at 70: When the Math Does and Doesn’t Work

Social Security at 70: When the Math Does and Doesn’t Work

Key Points Social Security benefits increase when you delay your claim past full retirement age. Filing at 70 could boost your retirement income significantly. Don’t mistake a monthly boost with a lifetime boost. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › A lot of people rush into Social Security at 62 because it’s […]

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Social Security’s 3.6% COLA Forecast for 2027 Brings Mixed Signals for Retirees

Social Security’s 3.6% COLA Forecast for 2027 Brings Mixed Signals for Retirees

Key Points The Senior Citizens League’s current COLA estimate is 0.3% lower than in May. The annual COLA is based on yearly changes in the CPI-W from the third quarter. Recipients should prepare for a loss of purchasing power in their benefits. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Inflation, though a […]

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Understanding Market Liquidity and Your Investments

Understanding Market Liquidity and Your Investments

When it comes to securities investing, market liquidity refers to how easily you can buy or sell an investment at a fair market price when you want to. When a security is illiquid–meaning it has low market liquidity–finding a buyer when you want to sell might be difficult. You might have to accept a lower […]

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Social Security Faces Steep Benefit Cuts for Couples Without Reform

Social Security Faces Steep Benefit Cuts for Couples Without Reform

Key Points It’s common for older married couples to both collect Social Security benefits. Benefit cuts could be coming to Social Security as soon as 2032 if lawmakers don’t act sooner. This could lead to a devastating cut in benefits for older married couples. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Many […]

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Understanding Disclosure Documents

Understanding Disclosure Documents

Disclosure documents are written materials that provide important information about investments, firms and financial professionals. These documents can give you information when you’re considering a new firm, opening a new account, trying a new investment strategy, or buying investment products such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or municipal securities. They also provide […]

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Know the Risks of Pre-IPO Funds and Potential Fraud

Know the Risks of Pre-IPO Funds and Potential Fraud

When a hot company is in the news, it might be tempting to take advantage of offers to invest before it goes public through an initial public offering (IPO). That’s what “pre-IPO” investing promises: a chance to buy shares of a private company before it lists on a stock exchange. If you’re offered early access […]

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Is a 4% Social Security COLA Off the Table for 2027? Here’s the Truth.

Is a 4% Social Security COLA Off the Table for 2027? Here’s the Truth.

Key Points Current 2027 COLA estimates are solidly in the 3.4% to 3.6% range. Earlier projections had 2027’s COLA at above 4%. A 4% COLA isn’t off the table, but it would come at a steep cost. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are extremely […]

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Capital One Venture Rewards Card: Limited-Time Bonus ($900+ First-Year Value)

Capital One Venture Rewards Card: Limited-Time Bonus ($900+ First-Year Value)

By Jonathan Ping, originally published at My Money Blog. The Capital One Venture Rewards Card is a premium travel rewards card with a minimum of a flat 2 “miles” per dollar on all purchases. These “miles” are very flexible, and can be redeemed directly against any travel purchase made with the card within the past […]

Jonathan Ping
4% Rule for Retirement Withdrawals: A Complete Guide

4% Rule for Retirement Withdrawals: A Complete Guide

By Wes Moss, originally published at Capital Investment Advisors. The 4% rule of thumb is a widely used method to estimate how much a retiree might initially withdraw from an investment portfolio. In its traditional form, you withdraw roughly 4% of the portfolio in your first year of retirement, then adjust that dollar amount for […]

Wes Moss
Social Security Is Facing a Financial Crisis, and Congress May Be Too Late to Act

Social Security Is Facing a Financial Crisis, and Congress May Be Too Late to Act

Key Points Social Security has been running at a deficit since 2010, paying out more in annual benefits than it receives in wage tax revenue. Based on the outlook for outlays and taxes, by the fourth quarter of 2032, the program will completely deplete the trust fund where it stored its prior surpluses. Among the […]

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In Your 40s? What You Need to Know About Social Security Benefit Cuts.

In Your 40s? What You Need to Know About Social Security Benefit Cuts.

Key Points Social Security may have to cut benefits in a few years. Though cuts aren’t guaranteed, they’re important to prepare for. Boosting savings while you can could make Social Security cuts less painful. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you’re in your 40s, Social Security may be something you […]

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Doing a Roth Conversion? Watch Out for This Big Trap.

Doing a Roth Conversion? Watch Out for This Big Trap.

Key Points The benefit of doing a Roth conversion is to lower the amount of tax you pay on your retirement savings. Make sure you’re converting at a low enough tax rate to make it worth it. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you’re nearing retirement and have a large […]

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Are You Ahead or Behind the Average 401(k) Balance for 40-Year-Olds?

Are You Ahead or Behind the Average 401(k) Balance for 40-Year-Olds?

Key Points Investing for your future is important because Social Security benefits aren’t enough to live on. Understanding how much others in your age range have saved can inspire you to invest. Ultimately, your savings must be based on your personal retirement goals. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you […]

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Compliance Issues When Clients Won’t Take Your Advice: Duty To Follow Instructions, When To Refuse, And When To Exit The Relationship

Compliance Issues When Clients Won’t Take Your Advice: Duty To Follow Instructions, When To Refuse, And When To Exit The Relationship

When a client asks their advisor to place an investment trade or execute another planning action, it typically comes as a result of a consultation with the advisor (and often reflects the advisor’s recommended course of action). However, sometimes a client might request that the advisor take an action the advisor believes isn’t in the […]

Michael Kitces
Live Oak Bank: $300 Bonus on $20,000 Deposit (New and Existing Customers)

Live Oak Bank: $300 Bonus on $20,000 Deposit (New and Existing Customers)

By Jonathan Ping, originally published at My Money Blog. (Update: Offer is back, this time for $300 for $20k with a 90 day hold. Again available to both new and existing customers depositing new funds. For existing customers, the deposits must be in addition to your balance as of September 7th, 2026. To be clear, […]

Jonathan Ping
If You’re on Social Security, Mark This Key Date on Your Calendar

If You’re on Social Security, Mark This Key Date on Your Calendar

Key Points Social Security benefits should be getting a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2027. That announcement is slated for mid-October, You should also find out key Social Security updates when the COLA is revealed. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Earlier this year, Social Security benefits got a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment […]

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The End of a Golden Era For Investors

The End of a Golden Era For Investors

By Ben Carlson, originally published at A Wealth of Common Sense. Here’s a story from Bloomberg: That doesn’t sound good. Here’s the main argument: Turning 30 just got a lot scarier. A coming collapse in investment returns means that people that age today will have to work seven years longer or save almost twice as […]

Ben Carlson
3 Things You Absolutely Need to Do Now if You’re Retiring in 2030

3 Things You Absolutely Need to Do Now if You’re Retiring in 2030

Key Points Before you retire, it’s crucial to have a sense of your spending needs. Figure out where your retirement income will actually come from. Have a plan so your days are meaningful and busy enough. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you’re gearing up to retire in 2030, you […]

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