Social Security

If retirees intend to rely heavily on Social Security for income, they should consider adjusting the timing of their bills to the date that they will receive their benefits.

Mutual fund costs have fallen to 48 basis points in 2016 from 77 basis points in 2000 for plan participants, according to data from Investment Company Institute.

Rents have increased an average of 3% annually over the 14-year time period of the study, while incomes have declined .1% annually.

For some couples, the fact that they have been drifting apart could be masked by the attention devoted to their careers or raising a family.

One strategy includes encouraging clients to wait until the age of 70 to start collecting Social Security benefits.

Whether the husband takes reduced benefits has no impact on the spousal rate, although it could effect potential widow's benefits, according to a Social Security expert.

Retirees should delegate the management of their finances to their children before they reach advance years and their health starts to decline.

Medicare premiums will increase for high-income retirees because of the change in the income brackets that will serve as basis for determining these premiums for their Part B and Part D coverage.

Workers with a high-deductible health plan will be better off setting up a health savings account, which offers tax benefits for savings earmarked for future medical expenses.

Clients should determine the benefits they would receive if they file at age 62, at full retirement age, and after their full retirement age.

A recent report from Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee says that Social Security is being threatened, and the federal government should consider modernizing and enhancing the program.

Many people expect to collect more than they actually will, which can prompt them to retire and file for benefits early and, in turn, reduce their actual payouts.

Although annuities incur taxes and costs, clients "can invest the same amount into a diversified municipal bond portfolio and pay no taxes,” an expert says.

Instead of amassing $1 million in savings, clients should consider asking themselves if they are prepared financially for several decades of retirement.

Many retirees kept their financial assets for at least 20 years after retiring, according to a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

Clients have to change their retirement goals and strategies over the years, starting off heavily in stock allocation while in their 30s.

Clients who think they have lost their retirement assets are advised to seek help from the Labor Department or nonprofit pension counseling centers funded by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Even if a client does not use the triple tax advantage of these accounts, the benefits are still valuable.

Fraudsters call seniors and get them to provide their Social Security number or pay a "processing fee" for the new Medicare card.

Debt is back on the rise, this time led by government.