The financial considerations of retiring “earlier” or “later” If you can retire by choice, the question of “when” comes to mind. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of retirement at three different ages. At 62, you can claim Social Security. That alone prompts some baby boomers to consider retiring. Leaving work at 62…
Key Points Develop a family financial map Communicate early and often Be clear about your expectations and values Introduce your heirs to your financial advisor Avoid this unfortunate inheritance situation It’s not an uncommon scenario: The parents pass away and leave the family home to the children, Joe, Bill and Marie. Joe wants to keep…
Key Points Today is the best time to start planning for retirement. Why? Time can be an investor’s greatest asset. Once you have a plan in place, it is easy to modify. Investing is a habit that is best started as soon as possible. Your retirement is ultimately your responsibility. Rule 1: Pay yourself first.…
Could you possibly arrange multiple income sources? On average, women receive 23% less Social Security income than men. In 2014 (the most recent year of data available), the average yearly Social Security benefit for a woman 65 or older was $13,150, compared to $17,106 for her male counterpart.1 This is one example of the income…
In trying to do it yourself, there’s the chance you could do it all wrong. Many successful people refrain from trying to plan their financial futures. They delegate that job to professionals, as they lack the time, inclination, or knowledge to do it themselves. This makes sense. It takes years to gain a thorough understanding…
Weigh the tradeoffs before you make your decision. Lifelong income or one large payment? Companies that sponsor traditional pension plans are starting to offer their workers this retirement choice. It’s not an easy choice, and it’s usually irreversible. The case for the lump sum. All that money is yours now, ready to be used or…
Whether nurturing the values of children, fulfilling charitable goals, or making investment decisions that affect their own as well as their beneficiaries’ financial security, women play a central role in establishing and preserving family wealth. Consider these statistics:1 Women now control more than half of the investment wealth in the United States. 48% of…
There is a good possibility that you or your spouse will eventually require some form of long-term care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 70% of people aged 65 or older will enter a nursing home for some period of time during their lifetimes.1 Whether you or your spouse will…
