Friday, 5 December, 2025
Imagine flipping through your favorite retirement magazine and seeing this headline: “A 2.8% bump is coming — but will it actually help retirees stay ahead?” Official 2026 COLA Increase For 2026, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a 2.8 % cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for both Social Security and Supplemental […]
When Congress passed the SECURE 2.0 Act, it was marketed as a sweeping reform to help Americans save more for retirement. Yet one subtle clause—the new Roth catch-up requirement—has quietly transformed how older, higher-income workers fund their final years of saving. While the law still allows catch-up contributions, it removes […]
If you live in California, setting up a living (revocable) trust is wise for estate planning — it can help your heirs avoid the delays, costs, and publicity of probate. But California has its own rules and thresholds, especially around vehicle titling, DMV requirements, estate value limits for simplified transfers, […]
In Texas, seniors benefit from a range of tax advantages that can significantly reduce their financial obligations during retirement. Here’s an overview of these benefits: 1. No State Income Tax Texas does not impose a state income tax, which means all forms of retirement income—including Social Security benefits, pensions, and […]
The IRS has recently announced updates to contribution limits for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and employer-sponsored retirement plans, effective for the 2025 tax years. Here’s a comprehensive overview: IRA Contribution Limits: 2025: The contribution limits remain the same as in 2024: $7,000 for those under 50 and $8,000 for those […]
Estate Tax and Inheritance Tax are often confused, but they have distinct differences. The Estate Tax is a tax on the total value of a deceased person’s estate before it is distributed to the heirs. This tax is paid by the estate itself. The Inheritance Tax, on the other hand, […]
To avoid outliving your retirement savings, you need to take a strategic approach that involves careful planning and disciplined spending. Below are specific tips with dollar amounts based on a person with an average lifetime salary of $75,000 a year. 1. Understand Your Living Expenses Rent/Mortgage: If you’re paying $1,500/month […]
A growing number of Americans aged 50 and older are feeling uneasy about their financial security in retirement—particularly when it comes to whether their Social Security benefits will keep pace with inflation. According to a recent AARP survey, nearly 90% of people in this age group—whether already receiving or expecting […]
A pension plan is a retirement savings plan that employers provide to their employees. It is designed to provide income to employees after they retire from work. Here’s a detailed breakdown: 1. What is a Pension Plan? A pension plan is a type of retirement plan where an employer makes […]
A living will is a legal document that outlines both medical and, optionally, spiritual preferences for end-of-life care. It serves as guidance for healthcare providers, family members, and spiritual advisors if a person becomes unable to communicate due to severe illness or incapacitation. It can include not only medical treatment […]