FINANCIAL PLANNING RESOURCES

SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES

Most Americans will eventually receive Social Security and Medicare benefits. Each year, Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds release lengthy reports to Congress that assess the health of these programs. The newest reports discuss current financial conditions and ongoing financial challenges both programs face, and project a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2021.

CHANGING JOBS? KNOW ALL OF YOUR 401 (K) OPTIONS

If you leave your job, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, you'll be entitled to a distribution of your vested balance. Your vested balance always includes your own contributions (pre-tax, after-tax, and Roth) and typically any investment earnings on those amounts. It also includes employer contributions (and earnings) that have satisfied your plan's vesting schedule.

REVISITING THE FOUR PERCENT RULE

Saving for retirement is not easy; using retirement savings wisely can be just as challenging. The 4% rule has stimulated a great deal of discussion over the years, with some experts saying 4% is too low and others saying it's too high. The most recent analysis comes from the man who invented it, financial professional William Bengen, who believes the rule has been misunderstood and offers new insights based on new research.