California Retirement Tax 2026: Is the 'Social Security Shield' Enough?
The Golden State won't touch your Social Security, but high rates on pensions and IRAs tell a different story. Can you afford retirement in California?
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The Golden State won't touch your Social Security, but high rates on pensions and IRAs tell a different story. Can you afford retirement in California?
I was an IT Modernization Engineer for much of my professional career before leaving to be a full-time creator in December 2022. My specialty: IRS information technology (IT) Yes, that IRS. After 19 y...
Clinging to 'safe' income and hoarding your principal isn't protecting your wealth; it's shortchanging the retirement you earned.
Good family meetings bring clarity to estate plans and strengthen bonds. Poor ones turn into ugly battles. This simple tool will help you avoid the drama.
When I retired in 2018, I implemented the Bucket Strategy. What would have happened if I had used the 60/40 Portfolio instead? I decided to find out. For today’s post, […] The post The 60/40 Portfolio...
Answering listener questions about the key protections every physician should have in place, from disability and umbrella coverage to malpractice and the real role of whole life insurance. The post In...
We have $3.9 million saved. Our adult children are struggling to pay for daycare and buy a home. Should we give them an advance on their inheritance?
Retirees with $500,000 to $5 million in assets need a different approach to keep their house and cover ever-increasing health care expenses, including long-term care, without taking too much risk and ...
How does fee-only financial advice differ from fee-based or commission-based advice? Knowing the difference is a critical step toward receiving unbiased help.
I just got a text from my former manager asking me a question about some templates I created for my documentation. I sent all of this information to the person covering for me till they hired the perm...
I only recently found out that financial coaches exist… people who help with budgeting, saving, and planning Are they actually worth it for someone like me? For context: I’m a woman in my 50s, just so...
Hello Reddit, As I am heading for retirement in the near future, I was wondering if you can suggest some places and activities to start my transition. It has been a long stressful career of 37 years, ...
We’re not looking to retire for a few years yet, however we’re starting to look now at how we can prepare in advance to ensure our outgoings are as low as possible when it’s time. For example; install...
My wife and I met with our CPA today to sign our 2025 tax forms. During our conversation, I asked him how much we could convert from my traditional IRA to my Roth IRA, without bumping us into a higher...
If you never spend your investment gains, what exactly are you investing for? This question hit me hard after a year of nonstop financial management, market volatility, and real estate turnover in 202...
Are you "lucky" enough to have to worry about #3? Did you remember #5? Explore all 10 tips on this tax season checklist. The post Tax Season Checklist: 10 Essential Considerations to Review for Your 2...
An interview with aging expert Maddy Dychtwald on longevity advice for women.
Standard homeowners insurance coverage often isn't enough. To be fully protected, homeowners need to consider natural disaster protection. The post Natural Disaster Preparedness — How to Ensure Your H...
Roger Whitney shifts from financial planning to the non-financial pillar of relationships, sharing a live conversation with Harry Reis about how to feel more loved and connected in retirement. Togethe...
On the sorry state of retirement savings in the United States, and a policy that could help.
Nurses are the most trusted professionals in America. For the 22nd consecutive year since 1999, they claimed the top spot ... Read more
I love using the Empower dashboard to manage our investment portfolio. Not only is it worth its weight in gold, but the price of $0 is something worthwhile, too! They’re hoping you decide to use their...
The retirement mindset mentor George Jerjian explains how a second chance at life inspires him to help coach people into retirement. When George Jerjian was 52 years old, he was diagnosed with a bone ...
The paychecks may stop, but the income shouldn't. Master the art of the "income machine" to fund your dream retirement.
I'm 60. I retire in June. I have a state pension. There's a caveat that says I can retire, lay out for 90 days and start drawing my pension, then return to work for up to five years at full salary (an...
Or: Why you don't need to keep tax returns from your 20s and 30s.
New data from J.P. Morgan reveals how retirement expectations diverge from reality, and what that means for advisors helping clients navigate life after work.
The Pinpoint Policy Institute's public campaign against the Institute for the Fiduciary Standard reflects a mysterious phase of the ongoing debate on private investments in 401(k) plans.
Publishing a book is no joke, but publishing a book while trying to raise a kid is the next level of crazy. Before having kids, we had no idea how much sacrifice, time, and effort goes into parenting....
Depending on the type of IRA you own and/or how you inherited it, your "safe" money might actually be on the table for creditors.
For the third year in a row, lawmakers froze funding for these efforts. Rising costs and a growing population of frail older adults will result in reduced services.
If you plan to punch the clock for the final time decades before "standard" retirement age, you need a financial strategy that goes beyond just saving. Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitb...
As doctors, our risk-averse mindset can influence how we manage our finances. And it can hurt us long-term in our retirement portfolios. The post How Loss Aversion Can Ruin Your Retirement appeared fi...
All of us have three main options to profit from AI: 1) Invest in the right AI companies. 2) Work for the right AI companies. 3) Invest in real estate that will benefit from the AI boom. Investing in ...
UK here and realise a large US audience may have different ‘normal’ for cars but let’s see Have always driven family/practical cars. Enough space for car seats and strollers and lanky teenagers and ho...
Can I (61F) defer taking payments from my retirement account when I retire at 65 and start withdrawing when I hit 70? Hubby (76M) has been retired since 65. He wants me to go out sooner but I just can...
Will the SSA send the funds abroad? Or will they direct-deposit only to a US account? Do you have to maintain a physical mailing address in the US of will a rented mailbox be OK? Do any of the answers...
A 401(k) can offer powerful tax advantages, but understanding how contributions, growth, and withdrawals are taxed is essential. Traditional 401(k)s lower your taxable income today, while Roth 401(k)s...
Hiding assets or debt from a financial adviser damages the relationship as well as your finances. If you're not being fully transparent, it's time to ask why.
As a veteran retirement investor, I'm sharing this advice for your own adult children or grandchildren.
If the first $1 million of your net worth is the hardest to reach, why does the next million dollars you add feel so much easier? The post 8 Reasons Why the First Million Is the Hardest appeared first...
Women tend to live longer but save less. Here’s how they can make their money go further.
I used to think my baseball cards would make me rich. That didn't happen. Here's why my collection (and yours) won't reach seven figures. The post I Figured My Childhood Obsession Would Make Me a Mill...
I want to retire now and pay for health insurance until we get Medicare. My wife says we should work 10 more months. Who's right?
If you miss your RMDs, you could face a hefty fine. Here are four ways to stay on top of your payments — and on the right side of the IRS.
The administrative requirements following a death move quickly. This is how to ensure your loved ones won't be plunged into chaos during a time of distress.
Effective March 1, 2026 new rules require that detailed reports must be filed with FinCEN if you transfer a home or other residential property to many trusts or LLCs.
Many people are lonely and isolated. Community and relationships are essential for well-being. But it is a challenge when we get older to find our tribe. Here are some ideas of how to do this.
If the spreadsheets and advisors all say that It is safe to retire, you have enough AND You don't LOVE your job (you like it, it's easy, but you're not defined by it) Then... What would keep you from ...
Stocks have low earnings yields and TIPS have good yields. Move money from stocks into bonds.