Retirement Planning

Great retirement gifts offer the newly retired both immediate joy and a new direction for their free time. Gifts for retirement can also help meet new financial needs.

Dec 3, 2009 - Mark Solomon

If homeowners are seeking a reverse home mortgage, an FHA loan maybe the best option. Find out the qualifications and guidelines for a FHA reverse home mortgage.

Nov 29, 2009 - James Clausen

What is a reverse home mortgage? How does a reverse mortgage differ from a refinance? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using home equity as income?

Nov 29, 2009 - James Clausen

Estate planning is seeing the reemergence of the age old custom of drafting ethical wills. The ethical will is a testament of values and instructions to loved ones.

Nov 26, 2009 - Vanessa Cross

A spiritual counterpart to the last will and testament, draft an ethical will to leave behind a written legacy statement of insights, instructions, blessings, and hopes.

Nov 26, 2009 - Vanessa Cross

Proper estate planning can save estate heirs a considerable amount of time, money, and grief. Here is a brief guide to estate planning for those who live in Texas.

Nov 25, 2009 - Susan Brown

The executor of an estate is concerned with cleaning up financial affairs. But how about cleaning out the medicine cabinet of expired antibiotics and unused drugs?

Nov 24, 2009 - Thomas Alan Gray

The government has made "catch-up" provisions for people over 50 to add to their 401(k), 403(b), 457 plan, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA and Simple IRA retirement plan.

Nov 21, 2009 - Armand Famiglietti

Converting from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA can have significant tax advantages. However, the conversion may not benefit everyone.

Nov 18, 2009 - Mark Dennis

Many jobs demand 24/7 of time and energy, even away from work. Taking an early retirement from the current job may offer the time needed to refocus on career aspirations.

Nov 17, 2009 - Joseph Leung

With careful planning, taking an extended sabbatical to realign career goals, to travel, or to spend time with family can be within reach earlier than most workers think.

Nov 17, 2009 - Joseph Leung

Not all UK individuals qualify for the full State Pension. An early forecast of benefits may be worth getting. This allows the individual to see if they need to top up.

Nov 15, 2009 - Carol Finch

UK consumers have a few options when it comes to building pension & retirement funds. What does the state provide and how can the individual best save for retirement?

Nov 11, 2009 - Carol Finch

As Social Security and pension payouts shrink, workers will rely more on individual retirement accounts, or IRAs. Here's where retirement income will come from.

Nov 10, 2009 - James Brumley

When a person is within a few years of retirement, they may spend more time dreaming about sunshine and golf than they do making sure they are really ready to retire.

Nov 7, 2009 - Stephen Simurda

Retirees need to decide whether or not to take a lump sum payment from their pension. In many cases, the disadvantages of a lump sum far outweigh the benefits.

Nov 7, 2009 - John Wu

A challenging economy and dwindling retirement pensions have people wondering how long their retirement money can last. Investment income is more important than ever.

Nov 7, 2009 - Mark Dennis

Financial planning for retirement is tricky: income diminishes just as leisure increases. Why not use an equity release plan to free some capital tied up in the home?

Nov 6, 2009 - Iain Manson

Standard individual retirement accounts or Roth IRAs are not self-employed business owners' only options. Qualified, tax-friendly plans offer higher contribution limits.

Nov 3, 2009 - James Brumley

Middle aged folks may have the energy to pursue their hobbies but retirees usually have the money. Can the two ever coincide? The answer is yes!

Nov 2, 2009 - Natalia Jones

A 457b retirement plan is a tax deferred plan offered to government employees and employees of qualifying tax exempt organizations.

Oct 31, 2009 - Candice Gillingwater

Timeframes, instructions and tips on applying for Social Security benefits.

Oct 27, 2009 - Diana Braun

The single-purpose reverse mortgage is designed to help low to middle income seniors with sufficient home equity pay property taxes or make necessary home repairs.

Oct 26, 2009 - Suzanne Bechard

Anyone considering a reverse mortgage as a retirement strategy should carefully consider the potential pitfalls.

Oct 22, 2009 - Suzanne Bechard

A 401k plan can be cashed out early due to financial hardship, but the IRS requires that strict guidelines be met prior to an employer approving a hardship withdrawal.

Oct 22, 2009 - Candice Gillingwater

Consumers considering releasing cash from their property may make a start by using an online equity release calculator. Does this help with the decision making process?

Oct 22, 2009 - Carol Finch

Older people may be cash rich on paper but many struggle financially on a day-to-day basis. Equity release schemes may be a way of freeing up money from their homes.

Oct 22, 2009 - Carol Finch

A CalPERS pension has advantages over more common retirement plans such as a traditional IRA,Roth IRA, or 401(k).

Oct 22, 2009 - John Wu

A financial windfall can be a wonderful thing, but it also poses its own challenges. One needs a strategy for how to handle such an event.

Oct 21, 2009 - Stephen Simurda

It's not something one normally likes to think about, but it's important to consider the role of a living will and power of attorney if one has a health care crisis.

Oct 19, 2009 - Stephen Simurda

A 401k retirement investment plan can only be cashed out under certain circumstances and doing so may result in penalties.

Oct 16, 2009 - Candice Gillingwater

No one gets rich off of U.S. Military pensions, and medical treatment for retirees may be spotty at times, but the monthly pension and health benefits are great perks.

Oct 12, 2009 - Rebecca Livermore

Retirement investing requires safety planning against losing capital. Investing in Brazil can help secure a stock retirement portfolio against a dollar collapse.

Oct 8, 2009 - Mark Solomon

Many new expatriates to Thailand ask is; "Is it possible to buy land and build a house?" The short answer to that question is a resounding 'No,' but all is not lost.

Oct 4, 2009 - John Howe

As more and more couples are getting divorced later in life, each spouse needs to understand the effect such a step has on retirement and estate planning.

Sep 30, 2009 - Stephen Simurda

The fear is among us. The recession may be dying, but the national deficit is looming over us like a nagging mother-in-law. Now is the time to save.

Sep 30, 2009 - Parker Noble Amis

Many employees are contributing to their 401K plans, receiving quarterly statements, and ignoring these statements because they are uncertain of what to do.

Sep 29, 2009 - Robin Crauthers

Defined contributions pension schemes are effectively personal saving plans. Because they are used to save specifically for a pension they have specific tax advantages.

Sep 13, 2009 - Andrew Knowles

Whether retiring early, taking full retirement, or delaying retirement, there are some things to think about, including effects on survivors.

Sep 11, 2009 - Janie Sullivan

A self invested personal pension plan offers individuals greater control over how their pension cash is used. But it is important to take SIPP advice in advance.

Sep 10, 2009 - Andrew Knowles

Retirement planning issues are avoidable. if you are counting on Social Security, these common retirement planning issues need to be addressed, especially retirement age

Sep 8, 2009 - Sandy Baker

Taking money from an RRSP before retiring is usually not a wise financial decision, but sometimes unexpected situations may arise that make it a necessary consideration.

Sep 3, 2009 - Dylan Flanagan

Most people can payoff their house in half the time. This gives people the potential for extra income during retirement.

Sep 2, 2009 - Christina Gregoire

Looking for ways to reduce the cost of living and stretch retirement income that bit further? Discover clever ways to comfortably survive during a low income retirement.

Aug 29, 2009 - Asa Ghaffar

Longer life expectancy, the cost of health care and increased cost of living unfortunately means that many people will not have enough money to retire as they would like.

Aug 21, 2009 - Fleur Hupston

Investing for retirement takes patience and persistence but it doesn't have to be difficult. Options like annuities, stocks, and home equity keep retirement funds safe.

Aug 21, 2009 - Victoria Anisman-Reiner

Not sure where to start when it comes to retirement income planning? Figure out the best retirement investment strategies & how much income will be needed for retirement.

Aug 20, 2009 - Victoria Anisman-Reiner

Seniors can access the equity in their homes for more income in retirement, with no credit checks or income verification required. Caution is advised, however.

Aug 10, 2009 - Mark Dennis

A recent tax code change allows anyone to convert from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in 2010, temporarily lifting the adjusted gross income restriction.

Aug 8, 2009 - Mark Dennis

Many Americans fear that Social Security income may not be available when they are ready to retire. Several factors indicate the Social Security system is here to stay.

Aug 5, 2009 - Mark Dennis