Choosing between claiming Social Security at 62 or waiting until 70 can create a wide gap in your monthly income. Starting early gives you more years of payments, while delaying may increase the amount of each check. The tradeoff comes down to how long you expect to collect benefits and…
Each year, Social Security benefits may increase with a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), but higher Medicare premiums can reduce how much of that raise reaches your monthly budget. Since both are calculated differently, they do not necessarily move at the same rate. Comparing the dollar value of your COLA with changes…
If you’re 65 with $900,000 and no pension, the income your portfolio can provide depends on how much you withdraw and the number of years your savings need to last. Taking too large a withdrawal early in retirement could increase the risk of running short later, while spending too little…
At age 45, skipping your 401(k) match means giving up more than your employer’s contribution. You also lose the potential investment growth this money could earn over the next 20 years. Depending on the size of the match and the investment-return assumptions used, that could leave you with almost $115,000…
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Major changes to federal student loan repayment rules went into effect this month and are rippling across the system. Many…
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The 65-day rule can give certain trusts more flexibility when deciding when to distribute income to beneficiaries. The IRS may treat an eligible distribution made during the first 65 days of a new tax year as though it occurred in the prior year. This can…
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By Carmen Chan You’ve got your mortgage and car loan to pay, credit card bills and HELOC payments, and a running list of…
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Team Name: Musgrave Dunn & AssociatesFirm: Merrill Wealth ManagementSenior Members: Travis Musgrave, Timothy Dunn, Valerie MarshallLocation: Lexington, KYTeam Custodied Assets: $1.4 billionBackground: Travis…
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Basic money skills are essential habits that help you manage income, control spending, avoid debt, and build savings. These include budgeting, tracking expenses, understanding credit, and setting financial goals. Mastering these skills creates a strong foundation for long-term financial stability. Key Takeaways Build a strong financial foundation: A clear budget…
Back in the old days, the state and local tax (SALT) deduction was arguably the most popular tax deduction in America. Get expert money advice to reach your money goals faster! You probably remember your parents or grandparents saving every receipt—even on small purchases like a box of nails or…
Did you ever wonder why taxes are so often mentioned in the same sentence as death? They’re both unpleasant, and you can’t, in the end, avoid either of them. But that doesn’t have to get you down! Your business is killing it and your customers are being served. You just…
Children are a blessing. Even when they test you (looking at you, teenagers and “threenagers”), you wouldn’t trade them for anything. Get expert money advice to reach your money goals faster! You know what else kids are? Expensive. From buying thousands of diapers to saving for college, it all adds up.…
The Roth IRA is one killer way to save for retirement. We recommend it a lot. Like, a lot a lot. Because what’s not to love? Not only do you get to enjoy watching your investments inside of a Roth IRA grow tax-free, but you’ll also get to use that money in…
If you’re burdened by student loan debt, you’re not alone. People in our country have dug themselves into $1.48 trillion of debt for college.1 And many of them wonder how long it will take to pay off their student loans. Sending in an average monthly payment of $393 is annoying at…
As we kick off the new year, a lot of folks are on edge about the economy and their personal finances. According to Ramsey Solutions’ State of Personal Finance study, only about half the country feels happy about their money. The other half either worries daily about their personal finances or…
Hey, we all know at least one or two people who work for the government—your cousin the park ranger, your neighbor the air traffic controller, your friendly neighborhood mail carrier. Or maybe you have a government job yourself. Market chaos, inflation, your future—work with a pro to navigate this stuff.…
How much student loan debt do you think the average college student racks up by the time they cross the graduation stage? Seriously, take a guess. $10,000? $20,000? You’d be what’s known as wrong. Get expert money advice to reach your money goals faster! The average college student graduates with…
Owning your own business comes with a lot of benefits. You work at your own pace on your schedule, you make the rules, and you get to make pretty much all the decisions . . . after all, you’re the boss. Market chaos, inflation, your future—work with a pro to…
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