If you’re in or near retirement, the performance of the stock market probably has you rattled - that’s perfectly normal. The best thing you can do is reduce your expenses as much as possible so that you can let your investments, those...

This really only applies to people who are decades away from retirement. This week started off rough. Merill Lynch agreed to be purchased by Bank of America, Lehman brothers filed for bankruptcy protection, and AIG looked about fifteen minutes away...

An important question you should ask yourself, as a couple nears retirement, is whether they should stagger retirement. It’s a topic that is worth exploring with your loved ones because there are many financial and relationship issues that...

Developing a productive savings plan is something that anyone can afford, even if you think your budget is already stretched tight enough. Regardless of the amount of money you are currently left with at the end of the month, a savings plan is...

Recently a reader asked: I would like to know the breaking points for annual income that affects the percentage of social security that is taxable. example…low income only 15% is taxable.

This credit used to be known as the “Retirement Savings Contribution Credit.” If you qualify you can claim a credit of up to $1000 for eligible contributions to qualified IRA, 401k, and certain other retirement plans. Since this credit is not...

As part of Obama’s middle-class plan he includes a proposal for an automatic IRA. This has been proposed before but it has never been implemented. Here are a few details of this plan. Under the plan certain companies that do not currently offer a...

There has been a lot of speculation about how long Social Security will be around and in what form it will be in the future. Figures vary but it is reported that the trust fund will start running at a deficit in 2018 and will be unable to pay full...

With a new year comes a new limit for contributions, however 2010 will have the same contribution limits as 2009. For 2010, the contribution limit for Roth IRAs will be $5,000 for Age 49 and Below; $6,000 for Age 50 and Above (to reflect the...

Currently if you earn over $100,000 you are not eligible to convert your Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. The Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 abolished the income limit and the change will take effect as of Jan. 1,2010. The...