For some couples, retirement is a breeze; they can enjoy opportunities such as going south in the winter to a second home without worrying about the budget.

In tax lingo, your principal residence is the place where you legally reside. It’s typically the place where you spend most of your time, but several other factors are also relevant in determining your principal residence. Many of the tax benefits associated with home ownership apply mainly to your principal residence—different rules apply to second homes and investment properties. Here’s what you need to know to make owning a home really pay off at tax time.

An individual retirement account (IRA) is a personal savings plan that offers specific tax benefits.

Social Security was originally intended to provide older Americans with continuing income after retirement. Today, though the scope of Social Security has been widened to include survivor, disability, and other benefits, retirement benefits are still the cornerstone of the program.

Throughout your career, retirement planning will likely be one of the most important components of your overall financial plan. Whether you have just graduated and taken your first job, are starting a family, are enjoying your peak earning years, or are preparing to retire, your employer-sponsored retirement plan can play a key role in your financial strategies.

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.

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

When it comes to investing for retirement, taking advantage of your employer-sponsored retirement plan is a great first step. But do you know where to invest additional cash that did not originate from your employer, like a cash bonus, an inheritance, or a lump sum from a life insurance policy? In this webinar recording, we discuss some investing options outside of your retirement plan, including the pros and cons for each.