Most people make the wrong decisions about their Social Security benefits and in doing so leave a lot of money on the table. Read More

The estate and gift tax law finally is set, so there are no more excuses for procrastination and delay. It’s time to revise or begin what I like to call your inheritance planning or legacy planning. Read More

Will a bond portfolio or immediate annuities do a better job of providing secure lifetime income? This is the issue facing many people as they near or enter retirement and look for a floor on their income for life. Read More

Paying for medical care is the greatest fear of retirees and pre-retirees. Curiously, most of them aren’t doing much about it. You’re going to have substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses in retirement. The average person covered by Medicare annually will pay more than $4,300, or $8,600 per couple, for out-of-pocket medical expenses Read More

When cash is tight or opportunities arise, people often want to tap their IRAs or other retirement accounts. There could be a penalty for doing so if you are under age 59½. But there are 13 exceptions to the penalty, so with a little planning you might be able to avoid the penalty and have more after-tax cash to spend. Read More

IRAs are among the most valuable asset most people own. But there are many misunderstandings about IRAs. These misunderstandings frequently result in taxes and penalties that easily could be avoided. Read More

Taxes will increase, especially for investors, in 2013 and beyond. The only question is how high they will increase. Those in retirement or planning for retirement should expect to pay higher tax rates during their post-career years. You can act now to avoid the worst effects of the coming retiree tax attack.  Read More

Many bulk have the bulk of their nest eggs in IRAs. Unfortunately, a lot of the value in their IRAs isn’t being maximized. People don’t focus on the key strategies that can make IRAs more valuable in their lifetimes and beyond. Read More

Trusts are simpler than lawyers would make you believe. Once only for the wealthy, trusts are included in many estate plans because they achieve so many goals. You need to understand the different types of trusts. Read More

Most people focus on the income tax benefits of Roth IRAs. Those with a longer-term view might find substantial estate planning benefits for them and their loved ones from converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Read More