2 Ways Claiming Social Security Early Could Hurt Your Spouse
When you decide to claim Social Security seems like an individual decision, but if you're married, your choice doesn't just affect you. Your spouse may also get less money if...
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What the 2027 Social Security COLA Could Mean for Your Retirement Budget — Early Estimates Are In
Retirees know that fixed income isn't entirely fixed. The annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) help address higher costs of goods and services.
How Worried Should Workers in Their 40s Be About Social Security?
If you're a worker in your 40s, retirement might feel both far away and uncomfortably close at the same time. At this stage, you're probably smack at the midpoint of...
56 Million Americans Don’t Have a Workplace Retirement Plan. Trump’s New Executive Order Targets That Gap
Saving money isn't easy, particularly if your budget is tight. Not only does it require living below your means, but it also requires delayed gratification and thinking long-term. Most humans...
How Inflation Is Quietly Eating Into Your Social Security Check This Year
Inflation is a normal part of the economy (and generally much better than deflation), but that doesn't make it any easier to stomach. This is particularly true for people who...
The 4% Rule Worked in the Past. Will It Fail the Next Generation of Retirees?
For decades, the 4% rule has been one of the most widely cited guidelines in the context of retirement planning. The idea is simple -- withdraw 4% of your savings...
Some of the Most (and Least) Appealing Ways to Save Social Security
If news regarding the current state of the Social Security trust funds makes you nervous, take heart. While the idea of reduced benefits is scary, this is not the first...
Don’t Stop Having Fun: How to Budget for Hobbies in Retirement
Retirement isn't about waiting for the end of life to arrive. It's about entering a new chapter and enjoying yourself in ways you may never have had time for when...
A Bigger Social Security COLA Could Actually Leave Retirees Worse Off. Here’s Why.
Even though we're not even halfway through 2026, there's already a lot of chatter about next year's Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). It's easy to see why.
Medicare Advantage Is Tempting at 65. Here Is Why I Am Choosing Not to Enroll.
As you approach age 65, you need to think about Medicare and what choices you will make when you enroll in the health insurance program. You can sign up for...
4 Reasons I’m Not Afraid to Retire With a Mortgage
I recently watched a YouTube video featuring a young woman who looked like she'd just arrived home after a hard day at middle school. Gotta give it to the young...
Social Security Won’t Run Out of Money, but Its Judgment Day Is Rapidly Approaching, Thanks in Part to President Donald Trump
Last year marked the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act being signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since the first retired-worker benefit was mailed in January 1940,...
3 Things to Do Before You Apply for a Balance Transfer Card
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money...
2 Surprising Ways Working in Retirement Could Cost You Social Security Benefits
Working in retirement is one of the smartest moves you can make if you weren't able to save as much as you'd intended when you were younger. It reduces your...
5 Signs You May Be Leaving Social Security Money on the Table
Are you receiving all the Social Security retirement benefits that you could? Unfortunately, for many Americans, the answer is "no." The rules related to Social Security can be confusing. However,...
The Risky Retirement Investing Move No One Talks About
The money you're putting aside for retirement isn't coming out of thin air. Rather, you're no doubt working hard to save that money, perhaps by limiting your spending or hustling...
Is Your Retirement Account Lagging? Realistic Steps to Help You Catch Up.
"The best time to begin saving for retirement was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today."
Can You Really Retire a Millionaire on a Middle-Class Salary? Here’s the Math.
It's no secret that times are tough lately, financially speaking, what with inflation, widespread layoffs, and soaring gas prices. That can make it hard to save for your future, and...