Embarking on the path to sound financial decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with the complexities of retirement planning, taxation, and investment management. Much like Rob's recent climb of Mt. Hood, the journey to financial success requires careful navigation and a knowledgeable guide to help you reach your goals.
In planning for retirement, one topic is often top of mind: What if Social Security goes bust? As we covered in a related post, When Should You Take Your Social Security, most of us have been paying into the program our entire working life. We’re counting on receiving some of that money back in retirement.
Ever since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed off on the 1935 Social Security Act, most Americans have ended up pondering this critical question as they approach retirement: “When should I (or we) start taking my (or our) Social Security?” And yet, the “right” answer to this common query remains as elusive as ever. It depends on a wide array of personal variables. It depends on how Congress acts. It depends on how the unknowable future plays out.
The original SECURE Act was signed into law on December 20th, 2019. Its “sequel,” the SECURE 2.0 Act, was similarly enacted at year-end on December 29th, 2022. Both pieces of legislation seek to reform how Americans prepare for retirement while juggling current spending needs. Across shifting socioeconomic climates, a hard truth remains: Employers and the government play a role in helping you save for and spend in retirement, but much of the preparation ultimately falls on you.
Believe it or not, another year has rounded third base, and is dashing toward home plate. That said, there’s still time to make a few good plays in 2021, while positioning yourself to score more in the year ahead.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it's that you should always be prepared for the unexpected. Now that this year is behind us, here are 8 ways that we should treat our money differently and plan for the future.
Has 2020 left you feeling like the fabled Sisyphus, forever pushing a boulder up a steep hill? Thankfully, with multiple COVID-19 vaccines in the works, there’s hope the load will lighten in the new year, fast approaching. While we prepare for a fresh start, here are six financial best practices for year-end 2020 and beyond, none of which require any heavy lifting.
A comfortable and financially stable retirement is one of the most important goals for many Americans. However, not many individuals plan for their retirement well during the last decades of employment, making them fall short of achieving their retirement American dream.