Showing 50 results of 1273
Putting the right documents in place for your loved ones now can shield them from the stress and legal hurdles of dealing with your estate later.
Many users have told me they aren’t always sure how to enter their assets and spending liabilities into the Actuarial Financial Planner (AFP) Excel workbooks. That’s completely understandable — the ac...
Your greatest investment risk may not be missing the market, but relying on your ability to identify the small handful of stocks that become the next big winners. As part of our "By the Numbers" serie...
This plan for Gen X parents running the Bank of Mom & Dad can help you get a handle on how to manage the financial support you give your adult children.
Rising premiums, fewer options and limited benefits can make a long-term care policy hard to find and hard to afford. There are alternatives to cover the costs.
J.P. Morgan research found 84% of retirees never draw more than the RMD minimum. Here’s how to tell if that’s the right move for you. The post 84% of Retirees Take Only the RMD Minimum. Here’s When Th...
Eligible workers can get up to $1,000 from the new Saver’s Match starting in January. Learn how to open an account, check your income and secure the full benefit.
This week Roger explains why rebalancing is one of the most important disciplines in retirement planning. In the Retirement Toolkit, he explores the difference between a traditional investment allocat...
Supporting your adult kids shouldn’t mean risking your retirement. Our Wealth Wise columnist explains how to help them when times are tough.
Your income will determine how much you pay, but here are some smart strategies that can help you lower your premiums.
You can hit your number, be fully financially ready, hand in your notice, and still end up miserable. Or worse, running out of money. In 15 years as a retirement advisor, I've watched it happen again ...
Relocating to a tax-free state like Florida or Texas seems like a good idea, but unexpected expenses add up fast. Here is how to ensure your retirement move doesn't break the bank.
Worried about rising rates? Here’s how to avoid a bigger bill after you stop working.
This podcast episode discusses the Rule of 55 retirement strategy, as well as listener questions about the risks of linking financial accounts to budgeting apps like YNAB, strategies for optimizing Tr...
Scaling your business for an exit doesn’t mean shedding your soul. Here is how to leverage AI to elevate your people and maximize your final payout.
How families can preserve valuable inherited IRA stretch treatment for a child or grandchild who needs support but doesn’t qualify for SSI or SSDI.
This week Roger talks about one of the biggest challenges retirees face today: information overload. He explains why more information doesn't always lead to better decisions and why building a great r...
Retirement researchers increasingly recognize that real spending does not remain flat throughout retirement. As Dr. David Blanchett emphasized in his recent Think Advisor article: “Integrating reduced...
The world of paying for medical school is now totally different. Here's how to think about closing the gap between federal and private loans. The post Closing the Gap with Private Student Loans for Fi...
Retirement isn't just about leaving your career; it's about learning how to navigate one of life's biggest transitions with confidence and resilience. As part of our "Freedom After 50" series, best-se...
When your savings are meant for the next generation, your investment timeline isn't yours anymore. Our Wealth Wise columnist explains how to adjust.
The paradox of retirement freedom is that the system you retired from gave you order but took away control. True freedom lies in giving life a new structure.
Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts can help protect your savings from being drained by long-term care costs, ensuring assets remain available for your family.
Households often have assets they expect to use during retirement that are not level streams of income, as well as expenses that are not expected to recur every year. These items need special handling...
This week Roger explores the idea of "digging where your feet are" and how focusing on what you can do today can reduce anxiety about the future and regret about the past. In the Retirement Toolkit, h...
Staring down a massive RMD tax bill at age 75? Relocating to a zero-tax state for a few years could slash your Roth conversion costs. Just beware of the pitfalls.
About 9 months ago I decided that July 1st would be MY independence day. Technically it is July 3rd, but that is a holiday and I managed one last PTO day on the 2nd! I've been planning for many years,...
Money dysmorphia is a distorted view of your finances, even when the numbers are fine. Here’s how to spot it and what to do about it. The post Money Dysmorphia: What It Is, Who Has It, and How to Fix ...
To ensure a fulfilling retirement, view longevity as an opportunity and maintain a balanced portfolio that accepts some risk while planning for substantial costs.
Did you know that Medicare Premiums are income based? The more you make the more you pay. How to avoid IRMAA jacking up your Medicare premiums in retirement.
How does your Thrift Savings Plan compare? Discover the average TSP balance by age in 2026, explore new contribution limits, and see if you are on track.
Here's what you need to know about how to withdraw your RMDs from Vanguard. It's not as difficult as you might think. The post How to Take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) at Vanguard appeared fi...
Don't raid your nest egg for unexpected bills. From brokerage accounts to underutilized lifestyle vehicles, here is how to unlock cash without jeopardizing your future.
This past Father's Day, June 21, 2026, I had a choice to make. I could play pickleball from 9am to 12noon at an indoor club called Flyte, a 30-minute drive north. Or I could take my kids 30 minutes so...
We have recently received inquiries as to how to use Copilot to implement the Actuarial Approach. Copilot can use different data sources to provide reasonable results, but we recommend that you provid...
If you don't pay enough in quarterly estimated taxes, the IRS could penalize you. Here are some ways to reduce those penalty payments. The post Estimated Tax Penalties Aren’t Always Final — Here’s How...
It seems like retiring enables people to finally live the way we want without forces pushing us to center. For example, we have all day to decide our own activities instead of being corraled in by wor...
This week Roger breaks down IRMAA Medicare surcharges and why retirees should understand them without letting them dominate retirement planning decisions. He explains how the income thresholds work, c...
Here's how to think about life and finances in the first year of your baby's life. You don't have to do everything, but here's a list anyway. The post The 18 Things You MUST Do in Your New Child’s Fir...
Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional): https://bit.ly/PureFreeAssessment 11 rapid-fire spitballs today from Joe Anderson, CFP®, and Big Al Clopine, CPA, on Your Money, Your Weal...
In the back half of my career, the questions of when and how to transition into the “post-primary career” phase grow more prominent daily. The post How I’m Thinking About Retirement appeared first on ...
You've accrued wealth to finally retire, but your "best" retirement involves learning how to enjoy the life your wealth was meant to support. As part of our "Freedom After 50" series, hospice doctor J...
In our retirement advice column, Wealth Wise, our reader turns 65 a year before their spouse. Here is how to seamlessly bridge the age gap using veteran benefits.
Even the best financial plan can be derailed when we're too overwhelmed to follow the guidance it sets out, or worse, think we can always act on it tomorrow.
I am 63 and married for 30 years - husband is 67 and retired from corporate 2+ years ago. We are financially sound - our FA says we are in great shape with nothing to worry about and that I can retire...
Hello, I am recently retired. I am not collecting SS yet. I am living off of my wife's small income and a severance I received from work. I have a very healthy 401k balance a few small pensions so we ...
Electronic Social Security payments are being touted as faster and safer than paper checks. But those who rely on them will need support to make the transition.
Most people spend decades preparing financially for retirement. They contribute to retirement accounts, pay down debt, evaluate Social Security strategies, and work with advisors to make sure their sa...
This week, a simple quote about wasting time sparks a deeper conversation about why retirement isn't meant to be endlessly optimized. In the Retirement Toolbox, we compare mutual funds and ETFs, explo...
It is impossible to beat the stock market. But if you want to divest your retirement of Elon Musk-related companies, here is the best way to do so.