Asset titling is the sticking point, where many estate plans fail. The best plan can be undone, if assets are not retitled or accounts are not funded. Retitling assets means just that—changing the name of the asset, whether it’s a deed to a home or a name of an insurance…
Nearly half of American households older than 55 have no retirement savings. The U.S. Government Accountability Office says that this number is actually better than in the past. According to the article from CNBC, “These people are on the verge of retiring—and they have nothing saved,” an analysis of the…
There is no such thing as a free lunch, except when it comes to employers who match their employee’s 401(k) contributions. This is the closest to free money you’ll ever get. If you’re fortunate enough to work for a company that has a matching plan, congratulations–not everyone does! A matching…
The period before retirement is a time when people dream about what the future might hold. They also worry, because who hasn’t heard the stories about retirees who return to work because they retired too early? It’s no surprise then that little more than half of Americans surveyed by the…
Most donations are made in December, and charities of all shapes and sizes make the most of the holiday spirit. However, by taking a bit of time to plan out charitable giving, including doing some research and talking with your family about your legacy, your giving could have a greater…
Out-of-date beneficiary designations could completely undo your entire estate plan. It happens often, since people often neglect these ‘fine print’ details. We hope that you have a will to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you pass. However, if you are like most Americans, many…
Most people who work for a living dream of retirement. However, for many workers, the idea of retirement comes with its own worries. Will there be enough money? Will I be healthy enough to enjoy it? Money and health are the two biggest worries about retirement. There are other unknowns:…
The big picture presented by the National Institute on Retirement Security is not a good one. Working Americans are completely unprepared for retirement. The National Institute on Retirement Security is a non-profit research and educational organization that focuses on the development of public policies that help retirement security in America.…
The burden of saving for retirement shifted from employers to employees. It is now unusual for companies to offer pensions. If you’re lucky enough to have one, make your decisions wisely. It’s hard to imagine today, but years ago, it wasn’t unusual to stay with one company for a lifetime,…
If you are 50 or older, you can put $6,500 into your Roth IRA: that includes a “catch up” contribution of $1,000. Typical Roth IRA contributions are still limited to $5,500 a year. There are income limits, which you’ll need to be careful about. One good thing about the new…