Will You Avoid These Estate Planning Mistakes? October 14, 2019 Too many wealthy households commit these common blunders. Many people plan their estates diligently, with input from legal, tax, and financial professionals. Others plan earnestly but make mistakes that can potentially affect both the transfer and destiny of family wealth. Here are some common and not-so-common errors to avoid. Doing it all yourself. While you [...]
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How Medigap Choices Are Changing October 14, 2019 Plan F is fading away, and Plan G may gain more popularity. Soon, two types of Medigap policies will no longer be sold. Seniors who enroll in Medicare in 2020 or later will be unable to buy Medigap Plan F or Plan C. These are the two Medicare Supplement policies that cover Medicare’s Part B [...]
Eight Mistakes That Can Upend Your Retirement October 7, 2019 Avoid these situations, if you can. Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible. No Strategy. Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at all. Without a strategy, you may have no goals, leaving you no [...]
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401(k) Loan Repayment October 7, 2019 A longer repayment time can be an advantage. The conventional wisdom about taking a loan from your 401(k) plan is often boiled down to: not unless absolutely necessary. That said, it isn’t always avoidable for everyone or in every situation. In a true emergency, if you had no alternative, the rules do allow for a [...]
Protection Against Uninsured Drivers September 30, 2019 Getting in an accident with the uninsured might be costly. About 13 percent of all motorists, or one-in-eight drivers, do not have automobile insurance.1 Having the misfortune of getting into an accident with an uninsured motorist may have serious financial consequences depending upon the state in which you reside and whether it is a “no-fault” [...]
Put it in a Letter September 30, 2019 Express your wishes. Actor Lee Marvin once said, “As soon as people see my face on a movie screen, they [know] two things: first, I’m not going to get the girl, and second, I’ll get a cheap funeral before the picture is over.”1 Most people don’t spend too much time thinking about their own funeral, [...]
When Alzheimer’s Disease Is Diagnosed September 23, 2019 Part of a series on how to care for your aging parents. Imagine the outlook for your life changing in minutes. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be that stunning. If your parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, how can you help them as they strive to make the most of the years ahead? An Alzheimer’s [...]
A Retirement Fact Sheet September 23, 2019 Some specifics about the “second act.” Does your vision of retirement align with the facts? Here are some noteworthy financial and lifestyle facts about life after 50 that might surprise you. Up to 85% of a retiree’s Social Security income can be taxed. Some retirees are taken aback when they discover this. In addition to [...]
Your Diversified Portfolio vs. the S&P 500 September 16, 2019 How global returns and proper diversification are affecting overall returns. “Why is my portfolio underperforming the market?” This question may be on your mind. It is a question that investors sometimes ask after stocks shatter records or return exceptionally well in a quarter. The short answer is that even when Wall Street rallies, international [...]
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Understanding Long-Term Care September 16, 2019 The important question: Are you prepared? Addressing the potential threat of long-term care expenses may be one of the biggest financial challenges for individuals who are developing a retirement strategy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 69% of people over age 65 can expect to need extended care services at some [...]