FAQs About Retirement Planning and Spending
When is the right time to start collecting Social Security?
What steps should my spouse and I take to prepare if we're a few years from retirement?
Where is the best place for you and your spouse to retire, and how much should income taxes influence that decision?
Should you spend slightly less than your income or live up to your financial capacity?
Should you incorporate annuities into your investment portfolio?
How can I determine the best IRA option for my spouse and I?
What should I know about required minimum distributions (RMDs)?
If I've lost a pension, how do I find it?
What should I know about estate taxes?
Which Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan is right for my spouse and I? Should I consider Medicare supplemental insurance?
Is long-term care insurance a good choice for us?
Retirement Planning and Budgeting
- A Basic Approach to Retirement Planning: This guide offers a detailed explanation of what retirement planning truly involves, covering essential steps and strategies to help individuals navigate the process of preparing for their financial future.
- Retirement Choices: Read this document to find a comprehensive framework outlining how Americans can prepare for and approach retirement, focusing on key decisions and lifestyle considerations that will shape their retirement years.
Social Security
- Eligibility for Social Security Benefits: For eligible individuals, the Social Security Administration provides and facilitates a range of benefits, including retirement, disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, and other programs.
- Guide on Taking Social Security: Learn more about when is the right age to start receiving Social Security benefits, tax implications, and other factors to consider for a well-informed retirement plan.
Rollovers
Early Withdrawals
- Retirement Plans and Saving for College: Paying for college is one of the few allowable reasons to withdraw money from your retirement fund early, incurring no financial penalties.
- 72(t) SEPP: One Way to Withdraw Your Savings Early: Under IRS Rule 72(t), you can opt to receive periodic payments from your retirement fund before you reach retirement age without penalties. However, complying with the requirements of this rule can be tricky, and the penalty for not doing so can be significant.
IRS Guidance
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
- Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): Take an in-depth look at the various types of IRAs, including traditional and Roth accounts, and explore how they can help secure your financial future.
- Navigating Inherited IRA RMD Rules: When a person dies with money left in their IRA and the beneficiary of the account isn't a person, handling how RMDs will work can get tricky.
Pensions
- How a Pension Plan Works: Learn about defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, including how they are structured and funded and what they offer in terms of retirement income and long-term financial security.
- Survivors' Pension Rates: This page offers essential information for spouses and dependent children of deceased veterans, outlining eligibility for pension benefits and what to expect from this financial support program designed to provide stability during difficult times.
Annuities and Life Insurance
- Variable Annuities: Before you incorporate variable annuities into your investment strategy, gain a clear understanding of how they work.
- Understanding Life Insurance: Read about the basics of life insurance policies, including the types available today.
Medicare and Medicaid
- Medicare Basics: Learn about government-sponsored health benefits for retirees, including medical insurance and prescription drug plans.
- Medicaid: Elderly and low-income adults may be eligible for health coverage through Medicaid, a federal and state program that helps people cover medical costs.
Long-Term Care
Retirement Calculators, Coupons, and Financial Planning
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Investment Calculator
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