Income

ACA subsidy cliffs are back and costing clients thousands

With enhanced ACA subsidies gone, even a small income mistake can cost clients thousands.

Trump’s Retirement Plan Backs RSAA To Help 69 Million Workers

Trump’s retirement plan and the RSAA aim to fix the coverage gap for 69 million workers, countering AEI’s concerns about Medicaid, SSI and low-income retirement security.

Markets Will Always Be Volatile: Your Retirement Doesn't Have to Be

Instead of worrying about the markets and running out of money in retirement, you might consider buying an annuity that guarantees you a lifetime income.

The Medicare tax trap costing clients thousands

A well-intentioned tax move can push retirees over a Medicare income threshold, leading to thousands in unexpected annual premiums. Here's how advisors avoid these costs.

20 Must Know Social Security Nuggets No One Tells You!

From spousal and child benefits to taxes and timing, these 20 lesser-known Social Security rules can significantly impact your retirement income.

Unlock Housing Wealth and Tax Benefits by Adding Lifetime Annuities to Your Retirement Plan

Combining a QLAC with a HECM can help mass affluent retirees secure guaranteed lifetime income, tax advantages and liquid savings to cover late-in-life expenses.

3 top tax questions clients are asking this filing season

Questions this season reflect confusion about 1099 income, new OBBBA deductions and retirement considerations, according to data from online expert platform JustAnswer.

Saving for future retirement needs and EOL vs spending and enjoying now.

F67, M72. We get about income of 5500 a month spend about 4,000 a month and have $1500 left over, Next year that we will pay off our last debt and will have another $500 available. We have rebuilt our...

Are You Behind on Retirement Savings? How Much You Need at 50, 55, 60 and 65

See how your retirement savings stack up compared with this Wall Street guide, ranked by age and income.

5 Smart Strategies to Create Your Retirement Paycheck Without the Stress, From a Financial Planner

The most resilient income plans layer multiple sources of predictable income and growth-oriented assets to help ensure immediate cash flow and long-term flexibility.

Which Are the Most Tax Friendly States for Retirees 2026?

Are you in a tax friendly state for retirees? Explore the best states for taxes and review the income and sales tax rates in all 50 states. The post Which Are the Most Tax Friendly States for Retirees...

The Average Retirement Withdrawal Rate by Age

Clinging to 'safe' income and hoarding your principal isn't protecting your wealth; it's shortchanging the retirement you earned.

401(k) Tax Implications for 2026: What You Need to Know

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...

Small Splurges That Won't Derail Your Retirement

With decades of growth ahead, your 40s aren't just for saving. We asked financial advisers how to enjoy your income now without compromising your nest egg.

Why Vanguard’s ETF aimed at retirees is currently cautious in its asset allocation

Vanguard’s VRIF ETF is tilting toward bonds to provide retirees stable income, balancing caution with a 4% annual payout target. The post Why Vanguard’s ETF aimed at retirees is currently cautious in ...

I'm a Financial Adviser: This Is the Real Key to Enjoying Retirement With Confidence

A resilient retirement plan is a flexible framework that addresses income, health care, taxes and investments. And that means you should review it regularly.

5 Retirement Tax Traps to Watch in 2026

Even in retirement, some income sources can unexpectedly raise your federal and state tax bills. Here's how to avoid costly surprises.

How to Avoid Being Buried by the Tax Avalanche in Retirement: Tips From a Wealth Adviser

All that cash you have in tax-deferred accounts could launch you into a higher tax bracket when you start withdrawals. It's time to protect your income.

I'm a Financial Adviser: This Is the Real Secret to Retirement Success

For real retirement security, forget about chasing returns and focus instead on the things you can control: income, taxes, risk-taking and decision-making.

If You're in the 2% Club and Have a Pension, the 60/40 Portfolio Could Hold You Back

Income from your pension, savings and Social Security could provide the protection bonds usually offer, freeing you up for a more growth-oriented allocation.

Are Your Retirement Numbers Not Looking Good? A Financial Adviser Runs Through Your Options

If you're worried about a shortfall between your income and expenses in retirement, you're not alone. But there are ways you can make up the difference.

Is It Time For Retirees To Cash In Their Stock Market Gains?

After three straight years of double-digit returns, retirees should review their asset and retirement income allocations to see if they still meet their goals.

States That Tax Social Security Benefits in 2026

Not all retirees who live in states that tax Social Security benefits have to pay state income taxes. Will your benefits be taxed?

This Is How Early Retirement Losses Can Dump You Into Financial Quicksand (Plus, Tips to Stay on Solid Ground)

Sequence of returns — experiencing losses early on — can quickly deplete your savings, highlighting the need for strategies that prioritize income stability.

An Expert Guide to How All-Assets Planning Offers a Better Retirement

An "all-asset" strategy would integrate housing wealth and annuities with traditional investments to generate more income and liquid savings for retirees.

What to Do If You Plan to Make Catch-Up Contributions in 2026

Under new rules, you may lose an up-front deduction but gain tax-free income once you retire.

To Retire Rich, Stop Chasing Huge Returns and Do This Instead, Courtesy of a Financial Planner

Saving a large percentage of your income, minimizing taxes and keeping spending in check can offer a more realistic path to retiring rich.

Is Fear Blocking Your Desire to Retire Abroad? What to Know to Turn Fear Into Freedom

Careful planning encompassing location, income, health care and visa paperwork can make it all manageable. A financial planner lays it all out.

The Gen X Guide to AI: Stop Freaking Out, Start Cashing In

A non-technical AI guide for Gen X. Learn how to future-proof your career, build income streams, and use tools without losing your humanity. Start here.

Unlocking the Annuity Puzzle: Why Canadians avoid what seems to be the perfect retirement vehicle

Annuities promise guaranteed lifetime income—so why do Canadians avoid them? We unpack the “annuity puzzle” and when they may actually make sense. The post Unlocking the Annuity Puzzle: Why Canadians ...

Beware The Interplay Of Social Security And Medicare

Medicare premiums and taxes can shrink Social Security benefits. Plan ahead to protect retirement income.

No, the Poverty Line Isn’t $140,000 a Year

A few weeks ago, Michael Green published a post where he argued that the poverty line for a family of four in the U.S. wasn't $32,100 in annual income (as currently claimed by the Department of Health...

50 Ways Seniors Can Slash Grocery Bills

In this witty post, Darrell Griffin arms fixed-income seniors with 50 hilarious hacks to conquer grocery costs amid 2.3% inflation. From app-powered coupon ninjutsu and flirty freebie flirtations to c...

KFF Health News: Trump’s Idea for Health Accounts Has Been Tried. Millions of Patients Have Ended Up in Debt.

Sarah Monroe once had a relatively comfortable middle-class life. She and her family lived in a neatly landscaped neighborhood near Cleveland. They had a six-figure income and health insurance. Then, ...

Data Connection

The post Data Connection appeared first on Retirement Income Journal.

Getting the Timing Right for Social Security Claiming 

You’ve worked and paid into Social Security for decades. Deciding when to claim those benefits is one of the few choices that can truly move the needle on your retirement income. For most retire...

3 Planning Issues At Year-End 2025 For Nonqualified Retirement Plans

Year-end is when many employees and executives choose how much of next year's income to defer in nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans. Here's what to consider....

Managing logistics of multiple interest streams in retirement

I expect to retire in the next 12-24 months, and I’m looking for advice on how to handle multiple income streams. Like a lot of people, for almost 40 years, nearly all our household income has c...

Parents and Caregivers: Don't Miss Your Roth Conversion Window

Caring for a child or parent can mean a drop in income and a lower tax bracket. Why not take advantage by moving money into a Roth account? Here's how it works....

Did you find your spending went up, down, or stayed the same after retiring?

I am planning to retire (hopefully) soon, and I keep reading things that say I'll need 70% of my pre-retirement income, or 80%, or 90%. The idea being that you will lose some of the expenses related t...

Why 401(k) Plans Avoid Risk Capacity Details You Already Know

You say you can handle a 40% crash, but does it matter? Your plan ignores your income, debt, and timeline. Here’s the risk capacity data it skips....