Are you wondering if stocks belong in your Roth IRA? You’re not alone This question pops up for practically everyone starting their retirement journey, and I’m here to help you figure it out. After researching extensively and consulting financial experts, I can tell you that yes, stocks are generally an excellent investment choice for your … Read more
Congress created the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) in 1986, and it became effective on January 1, 1987. Since that time, new Federal civilian employees who have retirement coverage are covered by FERS. FERS is a retirement plan that provides benefits from three different sources: a Basic Benefit Plan, Social Security and the Thrift Savings … Read more
Discover the pros and cons of of using your pension tax-free lump sum to pay off your mortgage. Although interest rates have come down from the peaks seen a couple of years ago, they’re still significantly higher than previous lows.1 With this in mind, using your pension tax-free lump sum to pay off your mortgage … Read more
So you’re about a year away from saying goodbye to that alarm clock, those commutes, and the daily grind. Congrats! But before you pop the champagne and delete all your work emails, there’s some serious prep work to be done. I’ve helped many folks navigate this transition, and I can tell ya – the year … Read more
Figuring out Social Security benefits can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. I’ve spent hours researching this topic because so many of my readers ask about it, especially women wondering if they qualify for their husband’s benefits. The marriage length requirements vary depending on your situation, and understanding them could mean … Read more
Are you or a loved one on Social Security? I’ve got some fantastic news that’ll make your wallet a bit happier next year! After years of meager increases, seniors and other Social Security recipients will see their biggest raise in decades when 2022 rolls around. The Big 2022 Social Security Raise: What You Need to … Read more
Thinking about retirement but worried about your health insurance costs? You’re not alone. One of the biggest questions federal employees ask me is “How much will my FEHB cost after I retire?” With the recent announcement of a whopping 13.5% average premium increase for 2025, this question is more important than ever. As someone who’s … Read more
When it comes to planning your estate, there are two terms you need to be 100% clear on: beneficiary designation vs. will. Trust & Will breaks them down. When you first start planning your estate, you’ll run into a lot of unfamiliar terms. There are two terms that are easy to mix up: beneficiary designation … Read more
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries must comply with very stringent income and asset rules to receive benefits. One such rule is the resource allowance limit: A single SSI beneficiary may have only $2,000 of countable resources (for a couple, $3,000). Countable resources include items such as cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, brokerage … Read more
It’s not easy to get approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. In fact, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA), between 63% to 74% of initial applications for SSDI benefits are denied. Because it is so hard to get approved in the first place, many people who receive these benefits worry about eventually … Read more
