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Why Retirement Research Matters More Than Ever

Why Retirement Research Matters More Than Ever

Dallas Salisbury of the Consumer Policy Center breaks down why unbiased retirement research matters—and what it looks like in practice. In this episode, Dallas explains how retirement policy and benefit decisions often get made with incomplete information, and why relying on objective, ...
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Social Security has a problem most retirees have never heard of

Social Security has a problem most retirees have never heard of

The trust fund story you already know. Social Security is running low on money. Congress hasn't done anything about it. The 2026 trustees report says the retirement fund runs dry in late 2032 if nothing changes. Everyone has heard some version of this. It shows up in the news every year when the ...
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Fidelity breaks down IRA rules that catch heirs off guard

Fidelity breaks down IRA rules that catch heirs off guard

The rules governing inherited IRAs changed more in the past five years than in the previous three decades combined.  Many beneficiaries still assume they can stretch withdrawals over a lifetime, the way heirs could before 2020. Under SECURE 2.0, the excise tax on missed required distributions ...
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73-Year-Old Faces Financial Challenge with Self-Directed IRA

73-Year-Old Faces Financial Challenge with Self-Directed IRA

A 73-year-old man has encountered a financial dilemma with his self-directed IRA, which primarily holds a rental property valued at $410,000 but has only $2,000 in cash. Under IRS rules, he must begin taking required minimum distributions (RMDs), calculated in the tens of thousands of dollars, far exceeding the available cash in the account. This situation highlights the challenges of managing illiquid assets within retirement accounts. The man must explore options such as selling the property, obtaining a non-recourse loan, or finding alternative liquidity sources to meet the RMD requirements.
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Annuities pros and cons for your retirement

Annuities pros and cons for your retirement

An annuity is a contract between the account holder and the insurance company. You pay a lump sum or make a series of payments to the insurance company in exchange for regular payments, in many cases for the rest of your life. Annuities have both pros and cons for those planning for retirement. ...
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Medicare Premiums to Rise Due to Asset Sales, Impacting Retirees

Medicare Premiums to Rise Due to Asset Sales, Impacting Retirees

A recent development highlights how selling valuable assets, such as a classic car, can significantly impact Medicare Part B premiums for retirees. A retiree sold a 1967 Ford Mustang for $85,000, which led to a substantial increase in their Medicare Part B premium two years later. This increase is due to the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), which is calculated based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). The sale of the Mustang pushed the retiree's MAGI above a certain threshold, triggering a higher premium. The IRMAA uses a two-year lookback period, meaning the 2024 sale affected the 2026 premium. This situation underscores the financial implications of asset sales on Medicare costs, particularly for those whose income is near the IRMAA thresholds.
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Critics Call for Changes in Social Security COLA Calculation Amid Projected Increase

Critics Call for Changes in Social Security COLA Calculation Amid Projected Increase

Projections indicate that Social Security retirees could see a $77 monthly increase in benefits in 2027 due to a 3.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). However, critics argue that the current formula, based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W), does not adequately reflect the living costs of seniors. They advocate for using the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), which better accounts for seniors' spending patterns. The CPI-E places more weight on housing and medical expenses, which are significant for older adults.
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SMART Savings Act Aims to Modernize IRA Regulations

SMART Savings Act Aims to Modernize IRA Regulations

SMART Savings Act Aims to Modernize IRA Regulations
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Medicare Premiums for 2026 Based on 2024 Tax Returns, Catching Retirees Off Guard

Medicare Premiums for 2026 Based on 2024 Tax Returns, Catching Retirees Off Guard

Medicare premiums for 2026 are being calculated using tax returns from 2024, which may result in unexpectedly high costs for retirees. The Social Security Administration uses a two-year look-back rule to determine the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), potentially leading to surcharges for those whose income was higher in 2024 due to employment or capital gains. Form SSA-44 can be filed to adjust these calculations if a qualifying life-changing event, such as retirement, has occurred. However, this form is underutilized, leaving many retirees paying more than necessary.
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Social Security Trustees Report Warns of Potential Trust Fund Depletion by 2032

Social Security Trustees Report Warns of Potential Trust Fund Depletion by 2032

The latest Social Security Trustees Report has projected that the retirement trust fund could be depleted by 2032 if Congress does not take action. This has raised concerns among individuals nearing retirement age, as claiming Social Security benefits early at age 62 results in a reduced monthly benefit compared to waiting until the full retirement age of 67. The report suggests that if the trust fund is depleted, retirees could face an across-the-board cut of about 22 percent in benefits. Despite these concerns, experts believe Congress will likely intervene to strengthen Social Security, as it has done in the past. The decision to claim benefits early should be based on individual circumstances, such as financial need, health, and employment status.
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Survey Reveals Gap Between Financial Advisor Value and Usage Among Americans

Survey Reveals Gap Between Financial Advisor Value and Usage Among Americans

Survey Reveals Gap Between Financial Advisor Value and Usage Among Americans
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The 4% retirement rule may leave retirees vulnerable

The 4% retirement rule may leave retirees vulnerable

Millions of retirement plans are built around a simple guideline: Withdraw 4% of savings in year one, adjust for inflation annually, and the money should last 30 years. Financial adviser William Bengen introduced that formula in 1994, and it has guided retirement decisions ever since. A new study ...