Now or later? When it comes to the question of Social Security income, the choice looms large. Should you apply now to get earlier payments? Or wait for a few years to get larger checks? Consider what you know (and don’t know). You know how much retirement money you have; you may have a clear…

A Gavron Warning is language that is seen in California divorces involving spousal support. Contrary to popular thought, permanent spousal support is not guaranteed regardless of how long the marriage lasted. In California, many people mistakenly misinterpret the “10 Year Rule” and believe that if they are married for 10 years or more they will…

MORE MILD INFLATION Consumer prices ticked up 0.1% for January while wholesale prices rose 0.2%. Analysts polled by MarketWatch expected both the headline Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index to advance 0.1%. The bigger news item (perhaps) is that the Labor Department altered its calculation of producer prices for the first time in 36…

I recently appeared in an article on Investor’s Business Daily about the urgency of estate planning for inheritance transfer. While most people understand the importance of estate planning, few grasp its urgency. Learn more and read  a few brief excerpts from the article below: Use the Fear Factor “To make estate planning urgent, I use…

Isn’t 65 the traditional retirement age? Perhaps, but baby boomers are modifying the definition of a traditional retirement (if not redefining it altogether). The Social Security Administration has subtly revised its definition of the traditional retirement age as well. If you glance at the SSA website, the “full” retirement age for Americans born from 1943-1954…

Location, location, location … It matters when it comes to real estate, and it also matters when it comes to the way you hold and invest your retirement savings. You can’t control what happens with the tax code, but you can control how your savings are held. As various types of investments are taxed at…

A little phrase that may mean a big difference. When you read about investing and other financial topics, you occasionally see the phrase “tax efficiency” or a reference to a “tax-sensitive” way of investing. What does that really mean? The after-tax return vs. the pre-tax return. Everyone wants their investment portfolio to perform well. But…

Is a tax refund coming your way? If you have already received your refund for the 2013 tax year or are about to receive it, you might want to think about the destiny of that money. Here are some possibilities. Start (or add to) an emergency fund. Many people don’t have a dedicated rainy day…

By Tali Wee of Zillow   Understanding the terms and conditions of a lease agreement is an essential part of being a responsible renter. During a typical signing process, the prospective renter and landlord sit down to review the details of a rental unit and accompanying agreement terms. Before signing, a renter has every right…

Some retirees succeed at realizing the life they want, others don’t. Fate aside, it isn’t merely a matter of stock market performance or investment selection that makes the difference. There are certain dos and don’ts – some less apparent than others – that tend to encourage retirement happiness and comfort. Retire financially literate. Some retirees…