Social Security

Open enrollment offers seniors the opportunity to change their plans and save hundreds of dollars.

While clients experience various benefits as they age, they still owe taxes after exiting the workforce.

Unlike pension plans which rely on market returns to fund their payouts, Social Security puts its investments in U.S. Treasury debt, which yields only 1% in annual return.

Major home and car repairs are among the unexpected expenses that catch many retirees financially off-guard.

Women are advised to double check their beneficiary information, update legal documents regularly and create a plan for long-term care.

Most respondents to an informal survey said they view Social Security as an income stream rather than as an asset. At least one expert disagrees.

Instead of buying one expensive car after another, clients should invest the money and let it grow. They may even be able to retire early.

Benefits are not capped at a predetermined level. They are based on two variables: a client’s highest earnings over 35 years and their age when they file for benefits.

Many fear that they will feel alienated and irrelevant after they retire, become a burden to their families, or their surviving spouse will go on retirement alone.

To really come out ahead from delaying Social Security, a client has to live past 80. Otherwise, it's probably better to take a reduced benefit earlier.