Last week, NCPERS hosted our semi-annual webcast on state and federal legislation impacting public pensions. Our regular contributors, Bridget Early, executive director of the National Public Pension Coalition (NPPC) and Anthony Roda, partner at the lobbying firm Williams & Jensen, joined executive director Hank Kim for a review of 2020 public pension legislation and a discussion on what we should expect and monitor for 2021.

In a mythical American past, families took out one 30-year mortgage, worked at one company for 30 years while paying off the mortgage and sailed off into retirement free of debt. Today, the reality is that the dream of retiring debt free is fading, and debt among older Americans is soaring. The percentage of households headed by someone aged 65 and older who held any debt increased to 61% in [...]

Millions of seniors rely heavily on Social Security to make ends meet. If you're planning to do the same, you should know the ins and outs of how the program works. If you don't, you may get caught off guard by some of Social Security's rules and nuances, like these. 1. Taxes on benefits You'd think Social Security would be something you're entitled to without having to worry about taxes. But unfortunately, [...]

Retirees approach their golden years in countless ways—some may prefer a rural and quiet small town, a spot near the water, or a retirement community in a warm place. Others may crave a big city, where there are plenty of exciting activities seniors can take part in whenever their heart desires. Aside from things to do, baby boomers must consider the weather, housing costs, transportation, and health care, all of [...]

There are plenty of good reasons to hold down a job in retirement. Not only can working provide extra income and thereby compensate for a lower retirement plan balance, but it can also serve as entertainment. Many people find it difficult to go from a full-time work schedule to having no place to be all week. Working in some capacity could help structure your days and give you an activity [...]

This past year has been a doozy, and the humble emergency fund is enjoying a moment in the spotlight. As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, it's never been more critical to have a solid stash of savings. But even if your job is secure and you don't foresee any major expenses, it's still wise to have some cash socked away in an emergency fund. Not only will it help you [...]