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Retirement

Retirement is one of the biggest life events that you'll need to prepare and save for. But don't worry -- we're here to help! With in-depth articles on everything from filling out tax forms to choosing retirement plans, to even downsizing, we've got you covered, No matter where you are on your retirement timeline.

It’s High Time to Roll Out the Alt-Retirement Movement

There are all kinds of “alt” movements around. I googled the term “alt-retirement” and was surprised to find that it doesn’t exist. The closest references were to a couple of government programs under the title “alternative retirement plan” that apparently exist for state governments, as well as FICA (the Social Security and Medicare tax). But it seems like it’s high time to roll out the alt-retirement movement.

Using Your HSA for Retirement

Fidelity’s latest survey puts the healthcare costs for a couple both aged 65 at $275,000. This is up from $245,000 in the 2015 survey and $260,000 just last year. This is a big number even for those with sizable retirement nest eggs.

Which Self-Directed Retirement Plan Is Right for Me?

“How many millionaires do you know who have become wealthy by investing in savings accounts? I rest my case.” — Robert G. Allen You have a sound knowledge of the alternative investment landscape, and you plan to use that for retirement investing. And just when you’re about to process the first transaction, you find out that your retirement plan provider doesn’t allow alternative investments. That reduces your choices to the traditional asset classes.

Considering a 401(k) Loan? Know These Hidden Dangers

401(k) loans have become a popular source of credit. They have interest rates that are almost always lower than the alternatives. Because they’re secured, you don’t run the risk of building up large amounts of unsecured debt. And if they’re offered by your employer, you can get them without even having to qualify based on your credit. The payments can be handled out of your paycheck so you hardly know that it’s happening. But the very simplicity of borrowing against your 401(k) plan covers up some hidden dangers that you need to be aware of if you’re considering taking out a 401(k) loan — even for a down payment on real estate.

How Much to Have Saved in Your IRA by Age

Retirement savings are a long-term game. Most of us start saving about three decades before we ever touch the money. Consistently saving and investing your money is the best way to grow your wealth and achieve a comfortable retirement. But you might not know how much you should have in your IRA at different ages. And hey, it’s tricky to figure that out. That’s why I’m here to help today.

Why You Should Prepare for Early Retirement – Even If It Isn’t a Goal

Plenty of us dream of being able to retire early — to escape the “rat race” and spend many decades of our lives doing just what we want to do. For most of us, it’s just that: a dream. But even if you’re not seriously considering early retirement as a real possibility, it can make a lot of financial sense to prepare for it anyway. Let’s explore the reasons why.

SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k) – Which Is Better for You?

Self-employment has many perks. But it also comes with a lot of responsibilities — not the least of which is saving for your own retirement. When you work for an employer, you can usually count on there being a 401(k) plan or something similar already in place that you can contribute to. However, when you work for yourself, it’s a different story. Since you are your own boss, you are responsible for both starting your own plan and funding it. Luckily, there are products on the market that can help you out. Here are two retirement plan options worth considering if you’re self-employed or a business owner.

How Retirees Can Prosper in a Low Interest Rate Environment

If you pick up a book about retirement from the ’80s, you’ll probably see a recommendation to park all your funds in government bonds and get yourself to the beach for a relaxing few decades of mai tais and warm sand. That’s because, until recently, the interest rate in the U.S. has been a healthy 8%–10% or more. Today it’s a different story.