Poll: Aging Americans in Denial About Need for Long-Term Care
Americans underestimate their chances of needing long-term care as they get older -- and are taking few steps to get ready, a new poll shows.
AARP
As Facebook Ages, is the Social Network Getting Boring?
Facebook's luster may be wearing off, as many users -- especially younger ones -- ask themselves whether the social network has become boring and too much like a chore.
Long-Term Care Insurance Should Be Part of Your Financial Plan
Long-term care insurance first was introduced in the late 1970s, but in recent years, it has become a much more important element of retirement planning thanks to twin rises in health care costs and longevity.
Free Tax Help: 4 Ways to Get It
You have to do your tax return, but with the tax laws as complicated as they are, that job's tougher than ever. If you need help but don't want to pay through the nose, here are some resources that can get you tax filing assistance for free.
One Year From Retirement? Prepare to Make the Break
With one year left until retirement, you're in the final stretch. It's time to prepare for the transition, so give your budget a stress test, reallocate your assets and income sources, and take action on health insurance. Here are six helpful guidelines:
Best Places to Retire for Under $40,000
Many baby boomers who haven't saved enough to retire well are contemplating delaying retirement. But if working into your 70s isn't possible (or appealing), moving to a place with a lower cost of living can help stretch your savings and finance a better quality of life.
Social Security Benefits to Rise by 1.7% on Low Inflation
More than 56 million Social Security recipients will see their monthly payments go up by 1.7% next year, one of the smallest increases since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975. The cost-of-living adjustment is linked to inflation, which has been relatively low over the past year.
The Latest Lie About Obamacare: Medicare Premiums Will Soar!
Recently, DailyFinance has explored several myths and rumours about how the health care reform law will effect average Americans -- some false, some true. But the latest piece of propaganda to make the rounds from the anti-Obamacare crowd is a real whopper.
AARP The Magazine Names Its Top 10 Places to Live on $100 a Day
AARP The Magazine has compiled its annual list of the 10 best places to live for Americans over 50, choosing cities that offer affordable amenities in addition to low-cost essentials. Which cities made the cut? Read on ...
How to Retire While You're Still Young Enough to Enjoy It
Whatever your retirement dreams are, if you want to reach them, you need a plan. Otherwise, by the time you find yourself financially able to quit work, you may not be physically able to pursue your passions. The key is knowing how you'd spend your golden years if money were no object.
News About Social Security Trust Fund Shortfall Only Gets Worse
Recent government reports confirm that Social Security's finances are still falling apart, and apparently they're getting worse at an ever-faster pace. That shouldn't come as a surprise, and you need to prepare.
Point: The Complete Overhaul Social Security Needs to Survive
Ahead of AARP's planned "secret" salon on the future of Social Security, we offer two retirement experts' dramatically different proposals for solving the crisis. Chuck Saletta's view: You can't fix the program with tweaks and small changes.
Counterpoint: Social Security -- It Ain't Broke, So Don't Break It
Everyone's predicting the worst for Social Security. But should the chance of cuts in a quarter-century really have us in a panic today? Retirement expert Dan Caplinger explains why there's really no need for major changes.
What You Don't Know About 401(k) Fees Can Cost You
The fees hidden in 401(k)s aren't standard, which means you could be paying more than your friends, family or coworkers. But what%u2019s scary is that most Americans don%u2019t even know money is being sucked out of their 401(k) -- and that%u2019s just the way most plan providers want it.
Costs of Aging: Retiring Frugally vs. Finding Love
Planning for a happy retirement takes foresight, a lifetime of saving money and little luck. But planning for love? That might cost you. The choices for how we spend our golden years -- and how much we spend -- have a big impact on our social lives, and our chances of discovering new love.
Long-Term Care for Elderly, Disabled Has Far to Improve
For the first time, there's a state-by-state scorecard of America's performance in providing long-term services and support to senior citizens and people with disabilities, and the results aren't much to brag about. But they do point the way toward improving the long-term care system -- and saving the nation billions.
Reverse Mortgage: Is It a Good Bet for You?
The reverse mortgage was invented to help seniors facing economic hardship access the equity in their homes. But these loan products are complicated, expensive and ripe for abuse, which lead a reader named Fred to ask DailyFinance's Laura Rowley for some advice. Here's what she told him:
Waiting to Inherit: Not a Sound 'Financial Plan'
An estimated two-thirds of baby boomer households will receive an inheritance at some point, with a median amount of $64,000, according to an AARP study. I recently received an email from a reader who has fallen deeply into debt in anticipation of her legacy -- and is now worried that her bailout may not be at hand.
AARP Names the 10 Best Places to Retire Affordably
AARP The Magazine examined 350 cities across the country to determine the top 10 retirement destinations for a fabulous lifestyle without outrageous costs. And you don't have to be a senior to appreciate their many affordable charms.
Social Security: Why Seniors Are Just Plain Angry
Described as a "fear tactic" by critics, the White House warned Tuesday that if Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling soon, come August, millions of Social Security recipients may find themselves without a check. The comments were met with a firestorm of criticism by seniors and their advocates.
The Joy of Contracting: Many Employers, No Safety Net
Job growth in the traditional market is tepid, but among contractors, freelancers and e-lancers, hiring is booming. Of course, if you go that route, that means you have to handle a host of things your employer used to, but there are ways to make it less of a chore -- and new companies looking to help.
The 10x Rule: Easy Math for an Easy Retirement?
Wouldn't it be great if you could plot your retirement with one simple mathematical equation? We're not there yet, but Lincoln Financial Group comes close. Their formula: Just save up 10 times your annual income for retirement. But does the 10x Rule really work?
Social Security Isn't Broke, But We Still Should Fix It
It's true that Social Security paid out more than it collected in 2010. But the Trust Fund owns $2.6 trillion in Treasury bonds, and though some people may claim those holdings are an illusion, they aren't. Still, there are some fairly painless steps we could take to shore up the program's balance sheet for the long term.
