Retirement Planning - 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy

Why Women Need Social Security

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:52:03 EDT

Did you know that the first person ever to receive ongoing Social Security benefits was a woman? Ever since Ida May Fuller received the first retirement benefit check in 1940, women have been counting on Social Security to provide much-needed retirement income. Social Security provides other important benefits too, including disability and survivor's benefits, that can help women of all ages and their family members.

Inheriting an IRA--What You Need to Know

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:49:19 EDT

The rules governing inherited IRAs can be complicated. Here are the major issues to consider.

Women and Estate Planning

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:44:49 EST

They say men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but is this true when it comes to estate planning? Absolutely. And because women often find themselves in such different circumstances than men, it is even more crucial for them to educate themselves about estate planning, and consult an experienced estate planning professional.

Free Webcast: Helping Small Business Owners Save for Retirement

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:41:08 EST

Choosing a retirement savings plan and helping employees save can be easier than many small business owners think. As part of America Saves Week, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration in coordination with the Consumer Federation of America will hold a free webcast for small businesses and their accountants and service providers on choosing a retirement savings plan, the use of direct deposit for a retirement plan, and more.

Retirement Plan and IRA Limits for 2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:22:16 EST

Many retirement plan and IRA limits are indexed for inflation each year. Here are some of the key numbers for 2012.

Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEPs)

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:29:08 EST

If you're a small business owner thinking about adopting a retirement plan, you should consider a SEP (simplified employee pension plan). A SEP allows you to make retirement contributions to traditional IRAs (SEP-IRAs) set up for yourself and each eligible employee. (If you don't have employees, you can adopt a SEP for yourself alone.) Your contributions are deductible from your business's income, and excluded from your employees' income. Virtually any business owner can establish a SEP.

Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEPs)

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:29:08 EST

Qualified Charitable Distributions Qualify for RMDs

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:23:46 EST

If you're an IRA owner who must take a required minimum distribution (RMD) in 2011, you can avoid some or all of the resulting income tax liability by donating a portion of it to charity. A qualified charitable distribution (QCD), also known as an IRA charitable rollover, can not only save you income taxes, it can help minimize your taxable estate and fulfill your philanthropic desires. Through December 31, you can make tax-free transfers of up to $100,000 directly from your IRA to qualified charities. Here are the details.

The Problem with Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:18:35 EST

As the number of Internet websites and software packages have quickly multiplied, along with the many books and stationery store kits that have always been available, do-it-yourself (DIY) estate planning is on the rise. The one-size-fits-all fill-in-the-blank forms that these sources provide may be attractive to some individuals because they cost a fraction of what attorneys typically charge. But is saving a few dollars worth the risk and potentially high cost of doing things incorrectly?

How Much Do You Know about Social Security?

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:50:18 EST

Social Security is in the news more and more, as the first wave of baby boomers retire and economic pressures on the program increase. More than 90% of Americans are covered by Social Security, but how much do you know about this important program?