New Reports Highlight Continuing Challenges for Social Security and Medicare Most Americans will receive Social Security and Medicare benefits at…

If you want to limit potential losses while participating in the potentially attractive returns of a market-driven investment but would…

At one time, the typical American family looked like this: a breadwinner father who commuted a short distance to work…

Are you suddenly on your own or forced to assume greater responsibility for your financial future? Unsure about whether you’re…

  Source: Social Security Administration, Office of the Chief Actuary, Benefits in Current Payment Status, June 2016  

Answer: When you buy a home using a mortgage loan, your home becomes collateral for the loan. If you do…

Answer: Yes, but the taxable portion of your distribution may be subject to a 10 percent penalty for early withdrawal…

Answer: You probably know that Forms W-2 and W-4 are related to income taxes. And chances are you’ve filled out…

Answer: The federal government offers several income-driven repayment plans for borrowers with federal student loans. Under these plans, a borrower’s…

Answer: To answer this question, you must decide how your money can work best for you. Compare the money you…

Question: Which is better, an HMO or a PPO? Answer: The question really is, which type is better for you?…

Answer: The chance that someone will assume your identity to open fraudulent bank or credit accounts is increasing as thieves…

Answer: No, you can’t refinance student loans. However, if you have multiple federal student loans, federal consolidation of your loans…

Answer: Start by carefully reading the advertisement or application you’ve seen or received. It may seem like a lot of…

Answer: The least expensive way to buy a car is to pay cash for it, because with cash, you can…

Answer: Debt consolidation can lead to an improvement in your credit rating by making your debt easier to manage. Sometimes,…

Answer: To reduce your spending, you first need to know where your money goes. Start out by keeping track of…

Answer: Many financial professionals suggest that you put away three to six months’ worth of living expenses for emergencies. If…

How well do you understand personal finance? The following brief quiz can help you gauge your knowledge of a few…

Answer: In general, yes. Also known as a tax-sheltered annuity, a 403(b) plan is an employer-sponsored plan designed for employees…

Answer: When you and your spouse are making this decision, it may be useful for you to focus on three…

Answer: The federal government insures certain pension benefits. Specifically, it insures defined benefit plans (but not other types of retirement…

Answer: That depends on several factors. If your new employer offers a group health insurance plan, the federal Health Insurance…

Answer: A profit-sharing plan is a defined contribution plan in which your employer has discretion to determine when and how…

Required distributions and non-spousal death benefits can’t be rolled over. Required distributions, certain periodic payments, hardship distributions, corrective distributions, and…

Answer: Although most of us recognize the importance of sound retirement planning, few of us embrace the nitty-gritty work involved.…

https://youtu.be/utKfN2v9aT8/ Answer: No. Generally speaking, the IRS allows you to make your IRA contribution for a particular tax year up…

Answer: If you are 50 or older, or you will reach age 50 by the end of the year, you…

Answer: Almost anyone can set up a traditional IRA. The only requirements are that you generally must have taxable compensation…

Answer: This question is difficult because the answer depends on your income and assets, your goals for retirement, and many…

Answer: It’s seldom easy to achieve a balance between saving for your retirement and saving for the ever-increasing costs of…

I know I can borrow against my 401(k), but can I borrow against the value of my 529 account? Answer:…

Answer: Yes. You (or anyone else) can open multiple 529 accounts for the same beneficiary, as long as you do…

Can I invest in any state’s 529 plan, or am I limited to my own state’s plan? Answer: 529 college…

Should I use my 401(k) to fund my child’s college education? Answer: You can, but it isn’t your best option.…

What is the college inflation rate? Answer: The college inflation rate refers to the annual increase in college tuition and…

My husband just died. Do I have access to his accounts? Answer: Generally, if your name does not appear on…

My spouse just died. Who do I need to notify? Answer: As a recent widow or widower, you’ll face many…

How can I find out whether my deceased husband owned any life insurance? Answer: If your husband left a letter…

My spouse just died. Should I accept my daughter’s offer to move in with her? Answer: Maybe. The death of…

Am I liable for my spouse’s debts? Answer: The general rule is that spouses are not responsible for each other’s…

I’m getting remarried. How will this affect my Social Security benefits? Answer: If you’re receiving benefits based on your own…

My husband is about to receive his pension. We’ve heard of “pension maximization.” What is it? Answer: If your husband…

Answer: Required minimum distributions are the amounts that you must withdraw each year from your traditional IRA, employer-sponsored retirement plan,…

Answer: Fortunately, you may have no need to despair. The further you are from retirement, the more time you have…

Answer: Medigap is health insurance that supplements the benefits covered under Medicare. It also fills in some of the gaps…

Answer: An annuity is a contract between you (the purchaser or owner) and an insurance company. In its simplest form,…

What happens if my Medicare HMO goes out of business? Question: What happens if my Medicare HMO goes out of…

I can choose a single life annuity for my pension or a joint and survivor annuity that makes payments to…

I’m confused: is an annuity an investment vehicle or an insurance policy? Answer: An annuity is a distinctive financial product.…