15 Surprising Retirement Facts and Stats for [2023]

15 Surprising Retirement Facts and Stats for [2023]

There are a lot of myths about retirement out there. Here are several retirement statistics that might just surprise you. While we may know family members or friends who have retired, we don’t usually discuss what their finances look like and the things they wish...
Fixed index annuities: potential plus protection

Fixed index annuities: potential plus protection

Fixed index annuities can help you accumulate money for retirement and provide guaranteed income after you retire. A fixed index annuity may be a good choice if you want the opportunity to earn indexed interest, but don’t want to risk losing money in the market. What...
10 Things You Need to Know About Social Security

10 Things You Need to Know About Social Security

Answers to frequently asked questions about your retirement benefits Social Security provides benefits to more than 66 million people, and those monthly payments have an enormous impact on older Americans’ financial health. According to Census Bureau data: • Social...
Are Annuities A Good Investment?

Are Annuities A Good Investment?

The first question you need to ask yourself is, what are your financial goals? An annuity may be a good option if you are looking for stability in retirement. There are 13 types of annuities, each with its pros and cons. Reasons why an annuity makes a good investment...

Successful Retirement Requires More Than Financial Planning

Are emotional health and personal fulfillment part of your retirement portfolio? Retiring successfully requires careful planning to ensure financial and physical health, but what about other important aspects of retirement, such as emotional health and personal...
Can Remote Work Get You a Head Start on Retirement?

Can Remote Work Get You a Head Start on Retirement?

If you have a dream destination in mind, careful planning and a willing boss could help you make the move ahead of schedule Rob Nehrbas was winding up his career as an executive at an Arizona-based laser device company he’d sold to a bigger competitor when he realized...
7 Ways Retirement Will Be Different in 2023

7 Ways Retirement Will Be Different in 2023

Tax changes, RMD rules, Social Security COLA and more will affect older Americans’ finances You might have heard about big changes coming to retirement finance due to Secure 2.0, a package of provisions included in the massive spending bill enacted by Congress and...
2 Big Changes to RMDs That Will Affect Retirees in 2023

2 Big Changes to RMDs That Will Affect Retirees in 2023

KEY POINTS Retirees can push back RMDs to age 73 in 2023. The penalties for not taking RMDs will drop significantly. A big change is coming to workplace accounts with a Roth designation in 2024. The $1.7 trillion spending bill that Congress passed last week includes...
How much life insurance do I need?

How much life insurance do I need?

In most cases, if you have no dependents and have enough money to pay your final expenses, you don’t need any life insurance. If you want to create an inheritance or make a charitable contribution, buy enough life insurance to achieve those goals. If you have...
Rising Prices Lead to Changes in Lifestyle and Shopping Habits

Rising Prices Lead to Changes in Lifestyle and Shopping Habits

AARP Financial Security Trends Survey: Wave 2 In January 2022, AARP launched its Financial Security Trends Survey, which is designed to monitor the financial experiences, behaviors, and attitudes of adults age 30-plus. The survey examines perceptions of overall...
Rising Prices Lead to Changes in Lifestyle and Shopping Habits

Rising Prices Lead to Changes in Lifestyle and Shopping Habits

AARP Financial Security Trends Survey: Wave 2 In January 2022, AARP launched its Financial Security Trends Survey, which is designed to monitor the financial experiences, behaviors, and attitudes of adults age 30-plus. The survey examines perceptions of overall...
7 Ways Retirement Will Be Different in 2023

7 Ways Retirement Will Be Different in 2023

Tax changes, RMD rules, Social Security COLA and more will affect older Americans’ finances You might have heard about big changes coming to retirement finance due to Secure 2.0, a package of provisions included in the massive spending bill enacted by Congress and...
12 Tax Rules Linked to Inflation

12 Tax Rules Linked to Inflation

IRS adjustments may save you some money in 2023 Are expensive gas and groceries busting your budget? The Internal Revenue Service feels your pain. In one of the few silver linings of the highest inflation rates in four decades, the IRS announced inflation-adjusted...
Your 2023 Tax Brackets vs. 2022 Tax Brackets

Your 2023 Tax Brackets vs. 2022 Tax Brackets

The income ranges, adjusted annually for inflation, determine which tax rates apply to you Even though we’re still in the 2022 tax year, and you filed your 2021 tax returns back in April, you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Gosh! I wonder what the tax brackets are...
50 Years of Inflation: What Things Cost in 1972

50 Years of Inflation: What Things Cost in 1972

Surprisingly, some things are bargains today — but not many Remember 1972? Richard Nixon was president, the Oakland Athletics were on the way to winning the first of three consecutive World Series and All in the Family was the number 1 television show. Still, what you...
Bah, Humbug: Inflation Drives Christmas Tree Prices Up

Bah, Humbug: Inflation Drives Christmas Tree Prices Up

Whether you opt for a real or a faux one, expect to pay 5 to 15 percent more this holiday season Christmas tree prices, whether for faux or real ones, are rising this holiday season as inflation spills over into decorations. How bad? Expect to pay anywhere from 5 to...