This is the time of year when lots of folks have visions of warming their feet by the fire while the cold wind whistles outside. But with the highest mortgage rates in more than four decades, many people are getting cold feet about a cozy place of their own. The 30-year mortgage rate broke through […]
It’s almost time for the Social Security Administration to break out pencil and calculator to find out how much more it costs to live this year than it did last, and then decide how much of a raise Social Security beneficiaries will get in 2023. For 2022, the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) […]
In 2022, Social Security recipients got a 5.9% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). That was the largest increase in 40 years. The COLA coming in 2023 may be even bigger. Social Security calculates cost-of-living increases based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from September to September each year. […]
The seven deadliest words in the English language—We’ve never done it this way before. And that certainly applies to Baby Boomers whose prospects for retirement are different than any preceding generation. Many Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, have made their retirement plans based on their parent’s generation. The World War II crowd […]
Oh, the day you can hang up your career and ease into that status you’ve been working toward most of your adult life, the place that brings a smile to your face, your happy place where you no longer answer to an employer, where you set your own schedule—that magical place called “Retirement.” You’ve been […]
Retirement is a magical word. It means different things to different people. Whether it’s traveling the world and never having to work again, beginning a new career or business, or volunteering, you need enough income to pursue your definition of retirement. How much money do you need? The number is different for every person. But […]
It seems like you just finished filing your tax return and now it’s almost time to step into the ring with the IRS again. But as you contemplate gathering receipts and tax records for 2021, the IRS is at work adjusting tax brackets for 2022. The U.S. tax system uses a graduated scale, meaning you […]
There was dancing in the streets when Social Security announced that 2022 checks will go up by 5.9%, the biggest Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in 40 years. But now, the streets are empty and the cheering is gone. Most of that Social Security COLA will be eaten up by increases in Medicare. Medicare Part […]
It may not be public enemy number one, but inflation is certainly near the top of the list. Since the beginning of 2021, prices of almost everything have gone into orbit. Energy prices are up an average of 56%. Airline tickets are up almost 25%. Used car prices have jumped more than 45%. And it […]
Mom and Dad told us working was a good thing. It may not have seemed like it as kids when they were trying to turn us into fully functioning, responsible adults. But later in life, we discovered it was true. Working gives a sense of pride and accomplishment. It makes us independent. Many older Americans […]
