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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If you want to qualify for financial aid to help pay for college, you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is a free application that the government and colleges use to decide how much money to give you for school. You can apply each…
If you work for a nonprofit or tax-exempt organization, you might’ve noticed that something’s missing from your retirement options. Wait a minute, you say to yourself, why isn’t there a 401(k) option in here? That’s because most teachers, government employees, nurses, doctors and others who spend their careers serving others have access to…
Whether your kids are still crawling around the living room floor or getting ready to graduate from high school, there are plenty of ways you can give them a head start on their financial future. Market chaos, inflation, your future—work with a pro to navigate this stuff. After all, time…
Ramsey Solutions is a paid, non-client promoter of participating pros. Dreaming of early retirement? Or maybe you just want to earn enough money to cover your needs and a few more of your wants? Yeah, those are some great dreams—and they’re well within reach if you’re starting to think bigger than just the income that…
Are you ready for the greatest wealth transfer in history? Ready or not, it’s already happening! Market chaos, inflation, your future—work with a pro to navigate this stuff. It’s estimated that $70 trillion worth of assets will pass down from older to younger generations over the next two decades.1 That is a…
We’ve all been there: You’re sitting in front of your computer at the office, thinking about what’s for lunch or which extracurricular activity you need to drive your kids to later. Nothing on your to-do list seems that interesting, and not even a double espresso can make you feel motivated.…
Did your beloved truck finally stall out for the last time? Do you want to upgrade from your ’05 Corolla to something that’ll let you jam out to more than just your old mix CDs? Pay off debt fast and save more money with Financial Peace University. If you’re looking…
I hear it all the time: George, you can’t rent a car without a credit card! Rental car companies don’t accept debit cards! How do you get your hair to be so voluminous? Get expert money advice to reach your money goals faster! I’ll only be answering the first two…
Who likes doing taxes? Basically no one. And if you’re like me, you understand that paying your taxes is necessary, but it’s an annual pain in the butt. And the thought of doing my own taxes? My eyes are crossed just thinking about it! Get expert money advice to reach…
So you’re wanting to buy some new wheels. Maybe your check engine light is sending a daily warning or you’ve just been itching to upgrade for a while. You’re thinking about paying cash for the car, but you’re wondering how—or if it’s even possible these days. Good. News. Yes, it’s…
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