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10 Tips for a Test Drive of Your Retirement
You wouldn’t buy a new car without taking it for a spin first, right? Of course not. Yet many people jump into retirement—one of life’s biggest financial commitments—without ever giving it a trial run. What will your retirement look like? And how will you feel about being retired and on a “fixed” income? Are you confident in your current retirement [...]
A How-To Guide to Your “my Social Security” Account
While the Social Security Administration will still mail you a statement once a year if you’re over the age of 60, they really encourage everyone to create a “my Social Security” account for better security and easier access to forms and information. With an online account, you don’t have to wait for the mail to arrive or worry whether you missed your letter, and [...]
How to Build a Meaningful Retirement Life Without a Work Schedule
One of the most underestimated challenges of retirement is not financial but personal. After decades of structured workdays, many retirees find themselves asking, “What now?” While the initial freedom can feel liberating, the absence of a daily routine can quickly lead to boredom, lack of purpose, or even depression and heart disease![1] Creating a meaningful daily life in retirement may [...]
Your 2026 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment: The Good News, The Bad News and What It Means for Your Retirement
Every October, over 70 million Americans eagerly wait for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to announce the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). This annual bump is designed to help your benefits keep pace with inflation, but will this actually help you cover your expenses, and what does this adjustment really mean for your wallet? Let’s take a look at these questions and [...]
3 Signs That You’re Not Ready to Retire
Many federal employees nearing retirement have an idea of how they want to live. The problem is, many of those same people don't know if they’ll actually be able to afford it. For them, the idea of a comfortable retirement—or any retirement—is far from a foregone conclusion. A recent survey on retirement readiness shines a light on the problem. Among [...]
Give the Gift of Financial Planning This Holiday Season
As we gather with family and friends this week, many of us have spent time picking out the perfect gifts to wrap and lovingly place under the tree. We eagerly await them opening our gift and sharing in the joy we had while selecting it especially for them. And though traditional presents like gadgets and gift cards are always appreciated, [...]
5 Year-End Financial Moves for the Holidays
As the year winds down and the holiday season approaches, December brings a natural opportunity to pause, reflect, and realign. For retirees, this season is a perfect time to give your financial life a little attention before the calendar flips to a new year. Annual limits and other financial standards refresh at the end of the year as well, so [...]
Should I Keep My Retirement Account or Use Annuities?
Deciding whether to keep your retirement savings in accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s versus transferring those funds to an annuity is a question many people face as they approach retirement. But before we jump in, there’s no rule that says you have to pick one, and both offer different benefits and come with different limits and risks. In order to [...]
