A dramatic change has taken place in the way retirement is funded in America. Until recently, many workers relied on corporate pensions for a significant percentage of their post-career income.

Whether you’re seeking to manage your own assets, control how your assets are distributed after your death, or plan for incapacity, trusts can help you accomplish your estate planning goals. Their power is in their versatility — many types of trusts exist, each designed for a specific purpose. Although trust law is complex and establishing a trust requires the services of an experienced attorney, mastering the basics isn’t hard.

Ask your five-year old where money comes from, and the answer you’ll probably get is “From a machine!” Even though children don’t always understand where money really comes from, they realize at a young age that they can use it to buy the things they want. So as soon as your child becomes interested in money, start teaching him or her how to handle it wisely. The simple lessons you teach today will give your child a solid foundation for making a lifetime of financial decisions.

Approximately 68 million people today receive some form of Social Security benefits, including retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits.

After one of the worst trading days in 2022, it’s important to remember that pullbacks of 5 to 10 percent typically happen about every year. But how should investors prepare for the potential of additional market volatility amidst the unprecedented macroeconomic concerns?

The world of 50 years ago was a lot different than it is today. An individual often worked at the same job all his or her adult life, lived in the same house, and stayed married to the same spouse. In those days, too, one spouse could support a family, paying for college ordinarily didn’t require taking out a second mortgage, and people could look forward to retiring on Social Security and possibly a company pension.

You know how important it is to plan for your retirement, but where do you begin? One of your first steps should be to estimate how much income you’ll need to fund your retirement. That’s not as easy as it sounds, because retirement planning is not an exact science. Your specific needs depend on your goals and many other factors.

Of course, any information pertaining to taxes is complex, full of exceptions, and subject to change. This discussion deals with the general rules for taxation of annuities–you should consult a tax advisor for more specific information before you take any action.