A closer look at the provisional income rules. Many new retirees assume that Social Security income is tax-free. That is not always the case. The Social Security Amendments of 1983 opened the door to taxes on some SSI, depending on the amount of income someone earns...
Some things to think about this year – and every year. This is the year. You can make 2011 the year you alter your financial life for a better financial future. Let’s look at some steps you might think of taking with the goal of financial...
Plan to avoid these common money blunders. A recent survey found that over 60% of women feel they are better at handling money than men are.1 However, married women sometimes find themselves in perplexing financial situations – conditions that might be avoided with a little planning...
The government still has some options to stimulate the economy. What can Washington do now to help consumers, housing and stocks? Options remain. The Obama administration and the Federal Reserve are reportedly considering two interesting tactics: one first employed 50 years ago, and another that could...
A way to “sweeten the pot” and retain executives and managers. A job that is simply too good to leave. Businesses arrange “golden handcuffs” or “golden handshakes” agreements with key managers to reward loyalty and promote retention. A golden handcuffs strategy can make a management position...
WEEKLY QUOTE“Is there anything better than to be longing for something, when you know it is within reach?” – Greta Garbo WEEKLY TIP Should your adult children ask you to help them out with business financing or a down payment on a property, refrain from saying yes until you determine...
WEEKLY QUOTE“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan WEEKLY TIP If you are presently retiring, moving or divorcing, try tracking all of your expenses for the next few weeks or months. Big life changes like these may mean big revisions to your...
Seemingly insignificant charges in retirement plans can add up. So much fine print goes unread. Few people realize how significantly 401(k) account fees can impact their retirement savings efforts. AARP recently conducted a poll of 401(k) participants and the results were eye-opening: 71% incorrectly assumed that...