The beauty of studying history is that it some times sews together a credible narrative. We have written a fair amount about America’s anxiety, both financial and political. But today’s podcast, an interview with Michael...more
Since the 2014 amendments to the alimony statute were enacted, we have seen this clutching at pearls and gnashing of teeth about what to do in long term (over 20 years) marriages when the payor is in her/his 60s. The...more
We recently posted some advice related to retirement planning and the need to take pen to paper (fingers to keyboard?) to make realistic assessments of future needs and available resources. And, because this is a divorce...more
Every day there is another article published beginning with the ubiquitous question: “Can I retire if I have……………?” The blank piece is filled with all kinds of trivia. Can I retire if … - a. I am 55 and will have social...more
Much of the material we publish comes from Pennsylvania’s Superior Court. In most instances that court is reviewing trial court decisions based on whether the lower court committed an “abuse of discretion.” One of the...more
The Social Security Administration (SSA) website hosts a wealth of online tools that offer you convenient access to benefits information. To make the most of these tools, simply create a my Social Security account online. It...more
Studies have found that workers overestimate how much they will receive in Social Security benefits when they retire. Having a good understanding of the realities can help you plan for retirement. Researchers from the...more
Quickly approaching November 3, 2020, we are in the final days of what is expected to be a contentious and consequential presidential election in the United States. With the whirlwind news cycles at the end of the campaign...more
What is IORP II? Directive (EU) 2016/2341 on the activities and supervision of institutions for occupational retirement provision, widely referred to as IORP II, sets out minimum harmonization rules for financial...more
Colorado is just another state that is offering a payroll deduction IRA program, forcing businesses to offer this program if they have five or more employees. I’m in favor of anything that offers increased retirement plan...more
Hiding in plain sight is a simple, low-cost, and effective tool to meaningfully increase retirement income: newbie retirees should live off their 401(k), individual retirement account (IRA), or other savings and delay taking...more
A new report finds that almost no retirees are making financially optimal decisions about when to take Social Security and are losing out on more than $100,000 per household in the process. The average Social Security...more
Beginning with their January 2019 payment, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income recipients will receive larger benefit amounts, due to a 2.8 per cent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) (the largest increase since...more
For those nearing the age when they can begin receiving Social Security benefits, it’s important to understand how the timing of applying for benefits can affect monthly payments. This article explains what factors to...more
If you have been reading the news lately, we have seen lots of electronic ink spilled over entitlement programs, especially Medicaid and its role in health care reform. Meanwhile, the report of the Trustees of the Social...more
State Budget Law 42/2016 of December 28, 2017 - Enacted Legislation - Effective January 1, 2017, State Budget Law for 2017 introduced various modifications to the labor law landscape, which have had an immediate...more
Americans are misinformed about many aspects of Social Security, and local Social Security offices may not be helping, according to a study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The study found that the Social...more
The Social Security Administration has announced changes for 2017. Social Security benefit payments will increase by .3% (3/10s of 1%) next year. The Social Security Wage Base, the amount of income subject to Social Security...more
The oldest of the 75 million baby boomers have begun turning 70 in 2016. Becoming a septuagenarian is a milestone in itself, but it also means that soon the IRS will likely be expecting you to start cashing out your...more
On November 12th, 2015 the CFPB released “Planning for Retirement,” an interactive, online tool designed to help consumers decide when to claim social security....more
When to begin receiving Social Security benefits depends on each person’s individual circumstances. This article shows how to determine a breakeven point — the age at which the dollar value of more (but smaller) payments...more
Important decisions in planning retirement income and expenses can be made at seven ages, and the decisions made at those ages can have a substantial effect on the quality of retirement....more
Despite the extensive information available from many sources about retirement planning, many people remain puzzled and disconnected from that type of planning....more