It's time to be optimistic about the future -- so say the majority of those surveyed for Fidelity's recently released 13th Annual New Year's Financial Resolutions Study (tinyurl.com/yckne2ja). Not onl... more
If you inherited an IRA this year, you are no doubt becoming familiar with the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act. How do I know? Readers are asking questions.... more
Are you one of many who are "eligible nonparticipants" of their company's 401(k) plans? If that's you, what's your rationale? About 60 million Americans do participate in their 401(k)s, according to t... more
Since I've received a number of emails from readers about a time-sensitive issue related to inherited IRAs, I'll return to 401(k) questions next week.... more
It’s always a challenge to comment on pending legislation in Congress before it becomes law, because until it is enacted, changes can be made during the legislative process. What exists in one form mi... more
If you have a tax-deferred retirement account, such as an IRA or a 401(k), you'll want to keep tabs on changing rules for required minimum distributions, or RMDs -- more changes are coming for 2022.... more
Wonder whether you are saving enough? Good news. Next year, 401(k) participants will start receiving a new type of disclosure called a "lifetime income disclosure" from their plan sponsors -- as will ... more
There is something important that I'd like you to do if you changed jobs sometime during your career. Please check on whether you "took" your 401(k) with you or left it behind on purpose -- or did you... more
Let’s talk about how to celebrate National Financial Planning Month (October), which is intended to “remind us to keep our spending in check and prepare our budgets.”... more
When you are thinking about investing, do you consider risk? And, if you do, how do you assess your tolerance and capacity for losing money, especially if you are retired?... more
While the concept of a “trusted contact person” has been around since 2018, regulators are currently encouraging brokerage firms to ask you to name yours. The goal? To provide you with “additional pro... more
Sometimes it’s nice to do something on the spur of the moment and leave structure and planning behind. Spontaneity is a good trait to have in your life -- but not when it comes to funding your retirem... more
Do you know anyone who doesn’t participate in his or her 401(k) plan at work? Perhaps it’s a family member or friend, or someone who just started working after college?... more
Younger people have become an attractive market for investment firms. The ease of buying stocks by the slice (fractional shares) and mobile apps are reasons for those new to investing to become involv... more
A few weeks back, I asked you to share your thoughts with me on the topic of making digital currencies like bitcoin available through an employer’s 401(k) plan (“Should You Be Able to Invest in Crypto... more
In last week’s column, “‘Sudden’ Situation Can Put Retirement Finances At Risk,” I promised to offer advice to couples where one spouse was not able to take charge of retirement investing if need be, ... more
What happens when you suddenly find yourself in charge of your retirement finances without the benefit of having much experience on the subject matter?... more
Digital currencies, most notably bitcoin, have generated a lot of attention this year. Should cryptocurrencies be an option for 401(k) participants?... more
Beyond the headlines about Social Security cost-of-living adjustments and changes in leadership, there is an ongoing need to warn anyone with a Social Security number to be alert to identify theft. St... more
If I think we’ll all agree that good communication makes for a good relationship, whether that be between financial advisers and their clients, co-workers, friends or spouses. In my experience over th... more
I’ve heard from a number of readers frustrated with their inability to get their tax refunds or economic impact payments, with attempts to contact the IRS via phone only adding to their unhappiness.... more
Not that I would want you to keep up with “the Joneses,” but are you saving for retirement? Don’t be left out. Retirement savings is in full swing right now.... more
Seniors will want to know about a resource that regulators published June 15, 2021, to help train financial firms to implement the Senior Safe Act. The regulators involved in the project are the Finan... more
I sometimes wonder about the need to name a “day” to draw attention to a cause. However, in this case, the cause is one that needs attention: protecting older Americans from abuse. June 15 is World El... more