With the number of late in life marriages among older Americans on the rise, it is best to address financial, legal and blended family issues before walking down the aisle. We Americans like to be married. So much so that, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, about a third of…
Parking a “granny pod” in the backyard may be the best way to have aging parents near, but not under, your own roof. Finding suitable and affordable housing for aging parents is a real challenge for many families. A senior lifestyle community may be too expensive, but living on their…
For those who joined the military in recent years, a big decision is looming for their future. They have to make a choice next year between staying in the old retirement system or opting for the new one. Figuring out whether or not to stay with the current military retirement…
With the holidays fast approaching, it's a great time to think about keeping grandparents—and their grandchildren—safe at home. In the U.S. today, multigenerational living is on the rise, due to the higher cost of housing, student loans, and the more challenging career path faced by younger adults today. Money isn’t…
The Veterans Administration recently announced their new application process to apply for the Veterans Identification Card (VIC). Back in 2015, The Veterans Identification Act ordered the VA to issue a VIC to veterans, also referred to as the universal photo ID. The VA was supposed to have this card available…
If you roll the money over to an IRA first, you can donate funds from your 401(k) Required Minimum Distribution tax free. Be very careful to follow the rules, so that you don’t create a tax or penalty problem. First, let’s define the RMD (Required Minimum Distributions). This is the…
It may sound whimsical, but the moment you open a business is also the time to start thinking about how you’ll exit the business, whether you intend to sell to a partner, leave the entire business to a family member or sell as soon as you come up with the…
It sounds like a nightmare scenario, and for many elderly, it is a reality: a court appoints a guardian and they lose the ability to make decisions about their assets and their lives, often with no advance warning. An article in Reuters reports on a journalist’s investigation that revealed a…
Americans in their fifties and sixties may want to think twice about putting off their “bucket list” trips and accomplishments. Recent statistics indicate you may be better off enjoying life now. As the government shifts retirement ages higher and employees are working later in life, the health of Americans is…
A recent case of elder abuse in Michigan that resulted in only a misdemeanor, may have been the last straw for legislators. They introduced a law that would make it a felony, if a person was convicted of harming a vulnerable adult or senior citizen. The punishment for causing serious…