Discover the Best Insights for Every Stage of Retirement

QUIZ: Test Your Retirement IQ

Are you smarter than…everyone else? Test your retirement smarts with this quiz....

An Exciting Net Worth Milestone and Some Other Ramblings

It’s been a few weeks since my last post. I think I’m starting to get into a nice cadence that I’m enjoying a little more. I still really love writing for Route to Retire, but after ...

September 2025 FIRE Update

Hey Everyone! It’s October and the days are getting shorter in Portland. This year is a bit crazier than usual because the troops are massing in “war-ravaged” Portland. I haven&rsquo...

I Want to Retire, but I Have to Keep Working so My Adult Kids Have Insurance

It's a tricky period when your adult child is under 26 but needs health insurance. We ask financial experts for advice....

Preferred Bank Stocks: The Investment Retirees (and Others) May Be Missing Out On

Most large banks issue preferred stocks that pay out fixed dividends, often with higher yields than bonds. Should you make room for them in your portfolio?...

Anybody still saving the “good” things for special occasions?

Retired 4 years as of October 1, and loving it! It took about a year and a half before I felt comfy in my spending. This evening, I opened a bottle of champagne, just because….it’s Tuesda...

Switching to QT or WS at 60, when I’m ready to retire and withdraw. Bad idea?

So we switched from investors group to RBC Dominion securities about 56 years ago. We love our financial planner. She is very smart and answers all of our questions. However, she is making a ton of mo...

Medicare Open Enrollment 2025: Live Updates, Tips and News

Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15, through December 7. We're covering everything you need to know to get the best plan for your health and budget....

The 'Permission to Spend' Rules of Retirement Spending

Here’s how to spend guilt-free when you are in retirement....

Major Insurers Scale Back Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans for 2026

Beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans might be losing their plan as UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna (CVS Health) scale back offerings for 2026....

What Family Must Do To Prevent Financial Abuse Of Your Aging Parent

Scammers are getting ever better at theft of elders online. Take these preventive steps quickly at the early signs of your aging parent's memory loss....

The Top 10 Losses I Welcomed After Retirement

Retirement can be a time of losses. It is also a time to reframe the losses into gains. Here are 10 ways to welcome retirement for what it can add to your life....

67 and retiring next year 2026

So next year is my last year of a great full time job. Once I retire I can't see myself not working a part-time job. What are some suggestions for a part-time job for an able body 67 year old male tha...

Retirement account disbursement nonsense

Someone explain it like I’m 5…. My husband had a small 20k ish) retirement account at his employer. He wants to withdraw it and use it for some unexpected expenses. We have the main retir...

The Gold Experiment

This FIRE experiment has been quite a ride. Through the ups and downs, I’ve documented our investing journey on this blog so that anyone can see how a portfolio like the one we taught in the Inv...

IRS Names Its First CEO: But He’s Also Still Running Social Security

Will this new role make it difficult to address emerging issues like budget and staffing cuts and customer service concerns?...

6 Steps to Protect Your Retirement Savings

Don't let a shaky economy and volatile market derail your retirement. These moves will help ensure your money lasts as long as you do....

You're High-Net-Worth: Should Your Retirement Savings Be in a Swiss Bank?

Swiss banks have long been a haven for the wealthy. Here's how to safeguard your retirement account in a Swiss bank — and whether you should....

The Spendthrift Trap: Here's One Way to Protect Your Legacy From an Irresponsible Heir

A spendthrift clause in an estate plan can protect an inheritance from a financially irresponsible child's debts and poor decisions....

Turn a Government Shutdown Into an Opportunity to Thrive

The government has shut down again, this time mostly over healthcare subsidies. We’ve seen shutdowns before, and we’ll see more in the future. As frustrating as they are, shutdowns remind ...

No, Taxes Are Not The Main Reason Seniors Are Reluctant To Move

Taxes play a part in their unwillingness to move, but bigger reasons include the absence of affordable, accessible housing and emotional ties to homes and communities....

How Unlimited Free Stuff from Amazon Almost Ruined My Retirement

It all started last winter when I innocently posted a review for a heated vest I had bought on Amazon. I was happy with this fun new way to beat the winter and wanted to share it with others, so I gav...

What’s More Important Than a Safe Withdrawal Rate?

On a random weekday earlier this month, a few hours of unexpected free time materialized on my calendar. My eyes quickly darted to Bill Bengen’s new book, A Richer Retirement: […] The pos...

Timing for monthly 401k withdrawels

I'm 60 - don't plan on taking 401k withdrawals until about 65 - still working and planning to "adding to the pile" for a few more years My question is what is the best monthly withdrawal strategy? Say...

What kind of retired camper are you?

As retirees, we can go wherever we want, whenever we want. I always knew I wanted to camp, but it took me a while to decide where to land on the spectrum: 0 - Hotel is a must (this is my wife) 1 - RV ...

Don’t want my coworkers making a big production out of my retirement

I’m liked and respected at work, but I detest being the center of attention, especially just for doing what my job description says I’m supposed to do. The work was enjoyable and fulfillin...

Why am I planning for 30 yrs in retirement?

When talking with my financial advisor and running all these scenarios and simulations for retirement it seems like getting to 90 yrs old is the goal. Is that even realistic? How many people who retir...

Age difference in retirement between my wife and myself.

Wondering how others approached this. I am 57, my wife is 46. I could retire at 62, 65 easily but how do I not work for the 10 years that my wife has to work? Just a moral dilemma I am trying to plan ...

What the Government Shutdown Means to Retirees

Depending upon how long it lasts, a government shutdown can impact your daily life, including seeing family, managing your health, and enjoying your free time....

Fight Fraud First: A Bipartisan Path To Save Medicare’s Home Health Benefit

Aging seniors and those with chronic conditions have been able to rely on Medicare for home health care. Now, the benefit may be at risk, writes Debbie Stabenow....

Are You Entitled? A Social Security Spousal Benefits Quiz

Test your knowledge of Social Security spousal benefits in our quick quiz....

6 retirement strategies for when clients can't save more

Rising costs and competing financial priorities are making it harder for younger workers to save for retirement. Goldman Sachs highlights six strategies to help clients get on track without simply "sa...

Has anyone done a group tour offered for solo travelers?

I've done a lot of travel over the years but I am now looking for group tour offerings for solo travelers over 55. Something like Roads Scholar. Has anyone gone on trips that are specifically designed...

Seeking travel partner adviiice

65F happily single, retired a year and a half. The dust has settled, I now see the forest amongst the trees and I’m very much enjoying life in my routine. But I get the itch to travel. Not far. ...