Should I Roth? Advantages and Restrictions of the Roth IRA

RothChoosing the best retirement accounts for your financial portfolio can be a difficult, time-consuming task.  There are a number to choose from, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.  One of these, the Roth IRA, has proven itself as a solid addition to a person’s retirement plan.

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Can You Cope with Retirement Realities?

As you design your retirement plans, there are a number of things you must consider.  You’ll want to make sure that your retirement accounts are maxed out, at least as much as possible.  You need to decide where to live and what to do about your health care.  For the most part, these things have a lot to do with finances.

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The Effect of a Foreclosure on Your Retirement

ForeclosureArguably, retirement planning has been more difficult in the past few years than it has in decades.  Much of this has to do with the recession that occurred a few years ago.  The country as a whole is still feeling the effects.  Unemployment isn’t as bad as it once was, but it’s not exactly great.  Retirement accounts that suffered due to the recession might never bounce back fully.  And some homeowners are still in fear of losing their homes.

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Working Late, Choice or Not

Chances are, you have a father or mother, or perhaps a grandparent, who is enjoying retirement right now.  They always seem to have free time on their hands.  They enjoy Early Bird dinners at the diner down the street.  They hit the links in their retirement community’s golf course.  Basically, they are getting some much deserved rest and relaxation.

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I’m Retired – Do I Still Need Life Insurance?

When planning for retirement, life insurance is a great way to prepare in case the worst happens.  But once you’ve reached retirement, do you really need life insurance?  That’s a question that only you can answer, but we’d like to offer you a few facts so that you can decide whether or not it’s necessary for your situation.

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Asset Allocation and a Road Map

When planning for retirement, it’s a good idea that you view it as a journey, of sorts.  This will help you stay organized as to how events should line up in order to achieve a secure retirement.  Asset allocation is an important part of this, and can serve as a roadmap on this journey of life.

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Your 401k and Why Your Tax Deduction Might Be Threatened

For many Americans, a 401k plan is the backbone of their retirement.  A 401k offers a number of advantages and the proof, as they say, is in the pudding.  And this “pudding” is the fact that families participating in one have, on average, twice the amount of saved funds than those who do not participate in the program.

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5 Mistakes You Could Be Making

If you’re hoping for a successful retirement, there are a number of elements that you must be sure you have planned out.  Unfortunately, it is rather easy for a person to make mistakes, often times without even realizing it.  Here, we’ll look at some of the mistakes that can be made during retirement planning, and how you can fix them.

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Social Security and the Privatization Crisis

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You hear it on the news. You read about it online. Maybe you’ve even overheard people talking about it around the watercooler. Seems that everywhere you turn, something about the Social Security program’s future is cropping up. Some believe that it’s a crisis whereas others believe everything is fine and the issues will pass. (http://www.sunherald.com/2012/04/29/3911302/time-is-short-for-social-security.html). Either way, it is worth a discussion to ensure that you come out on top. Let’s look at a few facts concerning Social Security and how privatization might work to alleviate your retirement planning.

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The Future of Medicare and Why You Should Be Worried

MedicareMedicare is a federally funded program that allows retirees over the age of 65 and disabled persons to receive huge discounts on their health care.  But if the current trends are any indication, it is quite possible that the end of this program could be near. (http://www.forbes.com/sites/sallypipes/2012/04/16/ending-medicare-as-we-know-it-by-doing-nothing/)  Millions of people have relied on Medicare in the past and if the program goes away, it could have huge ramifications to retirees.  To assist you with getting a better understanding of the situation, here are some facts that you should be aware of.

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