Answer: Yes. Unless you absolutely cannot afford to set aside any dollars whatsoever, you should contribute to your employer’s 401(k) plan. A 401(k) plan is one of the most powerful tools you can use to save for your retirement. The first benefit is that your pre-tax contributions to a 401(k) plan are not taxed as
A beneficiary is the person or entity you name (i.e., designate) to receive the death benefits of a life insurance policy. Some states require that your beneficiary have an insurable interest in your life or be related to you (at least at the time the contract is initiated), while others have no such restriction. If
A new year is right around the corner, bringing with it a fresh start for you and your finances. What will you do this year to help improve your financial situation? Evaluate your savings goals. The beginning of the year is a great time to examine your overall financial plan. Maybe you want to buy
Here are 10 things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year. Set aside time to plan – Effective planning requires that you have a good understanding of your current tax situation, as well as a reasonable estimate of how your circumstances might change next year. There’s
Deciding when to retire may not be one decision but a series of decisions and calculations. For example, you’ll need to estimate not only your anticipated expenses, but also what sources of retirement income you’ll have and how long you’ll need your retirement savings to last. You’ll need to take into account your life expectancy
Virtually every investment has some type of risk associated with it. The stock market rises and falls. An increase in interest rates can cause a decline in the bond market. No matter what you decide to invest in, risk is something you must consider. One key to successful investing is managing risk while maintaining the
We live in an age of medical miracles. People live longer than ever before, and life expectancies are increasing at a steady rate. This means that many of us will be fortunate enough to still have our parents with us as we ourselves reach retirement age. As our parents age, however, their health may decline,
It’s a vicious cycle: Money is one of the greatest causes of stress, prolonged stress can lead to serious health issues, and health issues often result in yet more financial struggles.¹ The clear connection between health and wealth is why it’s so important to develop and maintain lifelong plans to manage both. The big picture
Your goals and priorities will probably change as you plan to retire. Along with them, your insurance needs may change as well. Retirement is typically a good time to review the different parts of your insurance program and make any changes that might be needed. Stay well with good health insurance After you retire, you’ll
Answer: Some people leave instructions about who gets what property in a legal document known as a will. If you do not have a will, you leave no legal instructions about how your property is to be distributed to your heirs. The state then steps in and dictates how your property will be distributed. The
