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.
Investment markets around the world are experiencing unprecedented volatility which may have you asking yourself: What is happening and how concerned should I be? We wanted to share our thoughts on how you may want to view the current market environment so that you can make informed decisions.
An important part of your investment portfolio is ensuring that you have the right kinds of assets (stocks, bonds, cash, etc.) in the right proportions. In this Lessons in Financial Experiences (LIFE) episode, we dive into the basics of asset allocation and how it can impact your ability for long-term financial success.
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.