Retirement
5 Intriguing (and Less Painful) Fixes for Social Security
10:10AM 1/27/2012
When it comes to Social Security's woes, the potential cures discussed the most are unpleasant: Raise the retirement age, reduce payments, or raise the tax rate. Fortunately, those aren't the only options.
With so many pundits fretting about Social Security's possible collapse in 2036, it's hard to be optimistic about the entitlement program's future. But one insurance expert thinks that giving retirees a bit more flexibility could save the entire system.
What Will You Do When Social Security's Trust Runs Dry?
6:30AM 1/18/2012
In 2036, Social Security's Trust Fund is set to run out of money, after which it's anticipated that the program's benefits will be cut by about a quarter. And if you're likely to be around when that happens, you need a plan to make up the difference.
The 10 Worst States to Retire In: They're Frosty and Costly
2:55PM 1/13/2012
TopRetirements.com has named the 10 worst states in which to retire, based in factors such as taxes and climate. Every retirement is unique, but before you end up living out your golden years chilly and underfunded, check out this list.
Ponzi Scheme or Not, Social Security Can't Keep Up the Pace
7:00AM 1/13/2012
Social Security's trust fund is in the long, slow process of collapsing because it won't have enough funds to pay its promised benefits. Sound like a Ponzi scheme? Perhaps, but at least this "scheme" is one in which you can come out ahead -- especially if you start preparing now.
There's a persistent assumption going around about what happens after one retires -- your spending shrinks. Sure, your house may be paid off by then, and you may be able to ditch some work-related expenses. But that's not the full picture.
Many companies have done away with pensions, replacing them with 401(k) plans and related options that put responsibility for retirement saving squarely on you. But those same corporations have also been pushing to keep you in the dark about the plans' costs.
For millions of retired Americans, Social Security benefits barely beat earning the minimum wage, while rich retirees who don't need the money receive much larger checks. With the iconic safety net program in budget trouble, should the wealthy be forced to sacrifice those benefits?
Every adult needs a will: It may be depressing to contemplate, but die without one, and the state decides what happens to your property, and there's no guarantee the state's wishes and your own will coincide.
There are several major flaws in the classic "retirement as a goal" scenario, but you're not locked into it. If you've avoided major debt and have an education that allows you the freedom to re-imagine the concept, you could completely change your life.
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