COLA Barely Budges 2017 Social Security Benefits

The Social Security Administration released its annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for benefits this past Tuesday. The good news is there is actually an adjustment this year, unlike in 3 of the past 7 years; the not-so-good news is that the raise was a paltry 0.3% (roughly $4 more per month for the average benefit of $1,360)....

Simple Tax Tips for Retirees

Nobody wants to pay taxes, least of all retirees who often don't have a lot of money to begin with. As a retiree on a fixed income, it's natural to want to hang onto every penny you get your hands on, and the idea of forking over even a small amount of your income to taxes might seem like a major blow. But if you prepare for what's ahead and make a few strategic decisions, you could lower your taxes and keep more of that money for yourself....

Estimating your Retirement Cash Flow Needs

How much do you plan to spend when you retire? It’s a tricky question, and one of the first I ask anyone who is looking for retirement planning advice. Unsurprisingly, most people find it difficult to answer, especially if you’re years away from actually retiring....

Medicare Open Enrollment Season Approaching

October is a key planning month for retirement. Very soon, we will be learning whether the government’s calculated inflation number budged enough year-over-year to trigger a cost of living adjustment for next year’s Social Security benefits. This number also influences whether or not there will be an increase in retirement plan contribution limits in 2017. But first up is the kickoff to Medicare open enrollment season....