We live in the information age, and as a result there is a plethora of useful information available to us via the simple click of a computer mouse. Of course you have to be discerning about the sources of the information that you are able to pull up, but the ready availability of data certainly makes it easier to make informed decisions when you are planning for your retirement. With this in mind we would like to point you toward a very valuable resource that is offered on the Social Security … [Read more...] about Useful Retirement Planning Guide Available Online

When you hear retirement planning attorneys emphasizing how important it is to make plans for the future you would do well to take their advice seriously. The statistics indicate that a very significant percentage of Americans wind up in a difficult position when they reach the latter portion of their lives, and this is in large part due to a lack of planning and unrealistic expectations regarding entitlement programs for seniors. The majority of people who receive Social Security say that it … [Read more...] about Social Security COLA On The Way In 2012

There are people who assume that they will be able to retire as soon as they become eligible to receive Social Security benefits. At the present time the full retirement age for individuals born between the years 1943 and 1954 is 66 years of age. After this the full retirement age rises by two months each year, so if for example you were born in 1955 your full retirement age would be 66 years and two months. It goes up in this manner year-by-year until 1960. Americans who were born in 1960 and … [Read more...] about Don't Be Lulled Into A False Sense Of (Social) Security

We have reached an unprecedented juncture with regard to the age demographic in the United States. Our population is getting older by the minute, with senior citizens being the fastest growing segment. This is coming about as a result of the baby boomer generation reaching retirement age, and the statistics indicate that many people are really not prepared. According to a recent Associated Press-LifeGoesStrong.com poll one in four baby boomers say that they have no retirement savings at … [Read more...] about Baby Boomers & Retirement Planning

There was some relatively good news to report as 2010 gave way to 2011, and of course at the top of the list was the extension of the Bush era tax cuts. And though the debate will be retooled for the next election cycle, estate planning professionals were relieved if not overjoyed to see the estate tax rate reduced and the exclusion increased. Other changes included in the tax measure that impacted estate planning include an increase in the gift tax exemption to $5 million along with a decrease … [Read more...] about Retirement Planning News: Interest-Free “Loans” Eliminated