How Ages 60 to 63 Can Use the Super Catch-Up Contribution Before 2026 Ends
One relatively easy way to save for retirement is to fund an IRA or 401(k) steadily over time. If you begin contributing to a retirement account in your 20s and...
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Inflation Has Risen to 3.8%. Here’s What That Means for Your 2027 Social Security COLA
If you've made any visits to the gas station lately, you're probably not surprised to hear that inflation has been increasing over the last several months. In April, it hit...
This Is the Average Social Security Benefit for Age 70 in 2026
As of April 2026, over 54.3 million Americans were receiving Social Security retirement benefits, with many relying heavily or entirely on it for their retirement income. The average benefit varies...
Social Security Benefits Aren’t Set in Stone. 4 Ways Your Checks Could Increase After You’ve Applied
You signed up for Social Security early to receive the most checks, but now you're worried you may have short-changed yourself. Applying as soon as possible reduces your monthly benefit...
3 Things to Do With Your 401(k) Before You Retire in 2030
If you're planning to retire in 2030, you may already be picturing a time when you don't have to report to work every day. But the glorious retirement you've earned...
You May Be Shocked to Learn What Happens to Your HSA When You Die
Given the benefits associated with health savings accounts (HSAs), it's easy to see why they're so popular. In addition to HSAs being tax-deductible, the funds are yours to keep permanently....
The Latest Social Security COLA Estimates for 2027 Are In — Next Year’s “Raise” Is Tracking to Be the 4th Largest in 36 Years
Last year was a history-maker in several respects for America's leading retirement program, Social Security. We witnessed the average monthly retired-worker benefit surpass $2,000 for the first time, celebrated the...
I’m Alarmed That 64% of Americans Don’t Understand This One Fact About Social Security. Here’s What Retirees Need to Know
Commemorating the 90th anniversary of Social Security, a program signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935, the folks at AARP commissioned a survey to assess Americans' understanding...
Timing is Key: The Best Month to Claim Social Security
As you grow closer to claiming Social Security, you may wonder when you should do it. Is one month better than the other? Here's the truth: It doesn't matter which...
Social Security’s 2027 COLA Forecast Was Just Updated. There’s Good News and Bad News for Retirees.
Inflation recently hit a three-year high. That means Social Security benefits are losing purchasing power at the fastest rate in three years. Naturally, many beneficiaries are concerned.
Claiming Social Security at 62 Will Shrink Your Benefits. Do It Anyway in This Situation.
If there's one big decision retirees tend to wrestle with, it's when to sign up for Social Security. Once you turn 62, you're free to claim retirement benefits at any...
A New Social Security Payment Change Will Affect 3.6 Million Beneficiaries This Summer
The Social Security Administration is shaking up monthly payments for millions of beneficiaries this summer, thanks to an administrative change that's already taking effect.
Is Taking Your RMD in May a Smart Move? Here’s What the Math Says.
Will you be 73 years old or older at any point in 2026? If so, then you probably already know you're now required to regularly remove money from any non-Roth...
Here’s How Much the Average Spousal Social Security Beneficiary Takes Home After Paying for Medicare
If you're 65 or older and have been on Social Security for a while, you probably know your benefits aren't all yours to keep. You could lose some to taxes,...
The 2027 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Is Still 7 Months Away. Here’s What to Do if You’re Struggling in the Meantime.
Seniors got a 2.8% Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in January, but that hasn't gone as far as many had hoped. The average monthly retirement benefit is only $2,081 as...
How to Use a Qualified Charitable Distribution to Lower Your 2026 Tax Bill
For some people, retiring with a large balance in a traditional individual retirement account (IRA) or 401(k) can be a bit of a problem. If you don't need the money,...
Plan to Claim the Average Social Security Benefit Early? You May Get Nothing If You Earn More Than This From Your Job.
You've worked long enough to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. You're at least 62, and you haven't done anything that would lead the IRS to garnish your checks. So...
What Happens if You Work After Reaching Full Retirement Age?
An estimated 55% of Americans don't feel prepared for retirement. That may be one of the reasons so many older individuals have chosen to remain in the workforce. Whether they...