Your Social Security benefits are a huge perk of getting older. Whether you claim as soon as you blow out your 62nd birthday candles or you hold out until you reach septuagenarian status, it's hard to think of a better gift than guaranteed paychecks for life. But the rules surrounding your benefits can get tricky. Here are four mistakes that could derail your retirement.

For many Americans, retirement may look different in 2021 than it has in years past. The severe economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic could push many people to consider retiring early, with less saved than they may need. Whether or not your retirement plans are looking secure, the new year is a great time to review where you stand. Regardless of your particular financial situation, the same retirement principles apply [...]

20-20 has been quite the year and while it may have seemed like it would never end 20-21 is now quickly approaching. So, when it comes to your finances, what should your year-end checklist look like? Today we’re talking about a few things you should consider doing before we put this year behind us. Joining us every Wednesday morning, for your Retirement Coffee Talk are George Fossing and Zach Jenkins [...]

Many Americans on the cusp of retirement are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. They have too little saved, but they can’t keep working full time as long as they might want—or need. Retirement advice typically focuses on the savings end of this dilemma. Experts implore workers to stash away anything they can—typically up to 15% of their pay—in an employer-sponsored retirement plan or an individual retirement account (IRA) as soon as [...]

Many people worry about covering their expenses in retirement, and the truth is, even if you save well for that milestone, you might still find yourself in a cash crunch if your bills come in higher than expected. The good news, however, is that a few smart decisions on your part could make retirement a less costly endeavor. Here are four moves to consider. 1. Downsize your home Ideally, your mortgage will [...]

I have been working a long time on retirement planning that creates more and safer income for retirees. So long, in fact, that I sometimes forget the subject is new to most investors. They get much of their financial information from their advisers — who often simply treat these investors as “de-accumulators.” Another way to describe their message is, “Invest like you did when you were 55, only more conservatively.” [...]