Retirement

Since I have been a Roger Federer fan for decades, I was eager to watch the new documentary Federer: Twelve Final Days. We get to watch Federer from the time he announces his retirement until he plays his final match at the Laver Cup. What we witness is how difficult it is for him to

Retiring by the beach is a popular dream of many, but while escaping the 9-to-5 grind on a deserted island may seem like a fun idea, the reality of a life without everyday conveniences is another matter entirely. Of course, there is a solution. Many expat havens around the world offer beachside living along with

Our country has valued hard work from our founding as a nation. The Puritan work ethic shows itself everywhere. Most working people see “hard worker” as a desirable quality in themselves and others. We often define success by how much wealth we accumulate from all that hard work. What’s wrong with this picture? Back when

When you receive Social Security retirement benefits while working, you could run into one of the more complicated and confusing rules, the Social Security earned income limit, or earnings test. The rule exists because Congress historically discouraged people from working while receiving Social Security benefits. You can receive Social Security retirement benefits anytime beginning at

For many people considering a retirement in Europe, one of the things they look forward to is the option to go car-free. It makes sense for a number of reasons. One, depending on the make, model, and age of your vehicle, importing it from North America to Europe can cost upwards of $20,000. Not only

Roger Federer played 1,526 singles matches throughout his career and won nearly 80% of them. However, he recently revealed that he only won 54% of the individual points within those matches. To put it another way, one of the greatest tennis players of all time barely won over half the points he played throughout his

Some jobs become increasingly taxing as one ages. Airline pilots and air traffic controllers, for example, are subject to mandatory retirement ages. While not subject to mandatory retirement ages, many police officers and firefighters retire from their public safety job at earlier ages due to the dangerous and physically demanding nature of the work. It’s

Millions of us are middle aged or older, caring for aging parents and other loved ones who can no longer be independent. We see how they decline, whether slowly or sometimes rapidly after some accident or episode. The last part of their lives does not look so great. Chronic illness, doctor visits, loss of ability

What are the best cities to live in the world? Every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) evaluates cities across the globe for their liveability, releasing the much-anticipated Global Liveability Index 2024. This year, the new report examines 173 cities using data like stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education and infrastructure, then ranks them on a

Medicare beneficiaries need to know the changes taking place in in 2024 and 2025. The changes begin with the inflation adjustments for various Medicare features. The monthly basic Part B Medicare premium increased by $9.80 (or 5.94%) to $174.70 on January 1. The annual Part B deductible increased by $14 to $240. The additional Part

Have you ever imagined living under the Tuscan sun? If so, your dream could become a reality—thanks to a new initiative by this pretty region of Italy that is offering financial incentives to people willing to move to its charming, less-populated towns. With the program, “Residenzialità in Montagna 2024” (Residentiality in the Mountains 2024), Tuscany

Rhode Island made news this month when it became the twentieth state to establish a state-facilitated retirement savings program and the seventeenth to do so with an auto-IRA model. This action by the Rhode Island legislature means every state in New England, except New Hampshire, will now offer a state-facilitated savings program. States elsewhere in

Do you have a friend who you could call in the middle of the night? Or even help you move a couch? In my book Breadcrumb Legacy: How Great Leaders Live a Life Worth Remembering (Routledge), I challenge readers to think about who they could call to help them move a couch when thinking about

Donor-advised funds (DAFs) surged in popularity in recent years and now are among the most popular ways to make charitable gifts. DAFs offer significant advantages, but many people are unaware of some potential traps and are setting themselves up for disappointment. A DAF is a charitable entity set up by a sponsoring organization. The largest

Every great financial advisor has heard some version of the following from a client or prospective client: “I wish I’d met you sooner!” The apparent assumption is that if they had met on an earlier date, they’d have become a client sooner, they’d have better positioned themselves financially, and they’d be better off today than

Between half and three-quarters of older adults are diagnosed with pre-diabetes. But what does it mean? And what should you do if you get such a diagnosis? Increasingly, many experts say older patients should not overreact. A diagnosis of pre-Type 2 diabetes often produces anxiety and confusion in seniors. It can lead to unnecessary tests

Digital assets now are a major cause of problems settling and distributing estates. You need to carefully consider and incorporate your digital life in the estate plan. Almost all states enacted a form of the Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, which gives an estate executor the right to manage computer files, web domains,

Earlier this year, a family member had a screening colonoscopy. He’d seen the news stories about the Affordable Care Act mandating no out-of-pocket costs, such as co-pays or a deductible. So if this test is supposed to be “free,” why did he get a bill? This isn’t the first time I’ve heard of people receiving

Retirement waits for no one; it’s coming fast for the youngest Baby Boomers and oldest Gen-Xers. The stark reality is that many people are not ready, and studies show that more than half of us wish we’d saved more and had a solid retirement plan. With retirement looming, financial stress is a constant companion for

Medicare Advantage plans are popular. They’re estimated to have enrolled more than half of Medicare beneficiaries for the first time in 2024. But changes are underway. Those enrolled in Advantage plans or considering them need to pay careful attention when evaluating plans in this fall’s open enrollment season. There could be significant modifications to existing