What many may not realize is that beneficiary designations supersede the terms of wills and trusts, which means that such misalignment can do serious damage to even the most carefully crafted estate plan.
Many seniors have a strong desire to remain in familiar surroundings, making aging in place a popular option in many cases, as we’ve discussed previously.
When we seek advice or service for a matter that is very important to us, what’s the number-one thing we need from the person providing the advice or service? Some might say “knowledge” or “expertise,” but in most circumstances, what we most want is trust.
But how much do most really understand about the basics of estate planning and inheritance law? In this article, we’ll provide a brief summary of some of the more common estate plans and offer an overview of the responsibilities of an executor.
One important question that all who are approaching retirement should consider is how taxes will impact their retirement income. Especially since most retirees are “spending down” their retirement nest egg, making it last as long as possible is a high priority.
Public-sector employees nationwide received an early gift from the US House and Senate just a few days before Christmas, 2024. Two policies related to Social Security benefits were repealed via the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA), which was passed by both houses of Congress on December 21, 2024, and signed into law by President Biden on January 5, 2025. The bill had strong bipartisan support in both chambers, passing in the House 327–75 and in the Senate 76–20.
As newlyweds, you’re entering a beautiful new chapter of love, partnership, and—wait for it—shared bank accounts. Marriage is all about compromise, from deciding who gets the last slice of pizza to figuring out who’s responsible for paying the bills. And when it comes to money, it’s less about whose turn it is to buy dinner and more about aligning your financial goals. It could be splurging on a vacation or saving for the future.
While it may be true that “knowledge is power,” it’s still surprising how little knowledge most people have about money, saving, and investing. Recently a popular financial website gave a quiz on investing concepts, asking questions about very basic concepts like what stock ownership means, the definition of diversification, and the effects of compound interest. The average respondent was able to answer just under half of the questions correctly (48%).
We’ve written previously about various ways grandparents might want to structure the financial gifts they provide for their grandchildren. Grandparents may wish to include their grandchildren in their annual gifting plans as a regular part of their estate planning; in 2024, by combining their individual gift tax exclusions, a married couple filing jointly can gift as much as $36,000 to one or more individuals.
There is research demonstrating that people who are habitually grateful for what they have also tend to be financially healthier. And that can make a big difference in the quality and satisfaction you achieve during your retirement years.
Because losing a spouse is an emotionally tough time, managing financial tasks may feel almost impossible. In addition to consulting with your wealth advisor, ask for help from a trusted family member or close friend.
The fact that many of us will enjoy longer lifespans brings up some questions that our ancestors didn’t need to consider: How do I want to spend my retirement years? How much will it cost to live the way I want to live? Do I want to continue to work part-time after retirement—or even start a new career? All of these considerations are important, but there is one more that perhaps trumps them all: Will I stay in my home, or move into a retirement community?
Stay informed with the latest financial insights from our experts.
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