Are you ready to retire?
September 19, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not you are ready to retire. Is your nest egg adequate? It’s obvious, but the earlier you retire, the less time you’ll have to save, and the more years…Read More

What factors could negatively impact my credit report?
September 18, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

Having a good credit report is important when it comes to personal finance, because most lenders use credit reports to evaluate the creditworthiness of a potential borrower. Borrowers with good credit are presumed to be more creditworthy and may find…Read More

10 Basic Tax To-Dos for the Rest of 2014
September 3, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

Here are 10 things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year. 1. Make time to plan Effective planning requires that you have a good understanding of your current tax situation, as…Read More

Some Things to Consider about Gifts to Children
September 3, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

If you make significant gifts to your children or someone else’s children, or if someone else makes gifts to your children, there are a number of things for you to consider. Transfers that are not taxable gifts There are a…Read More

Quiz: How much do you know about Social Security?
September 3, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

You’re probably covered under Social Security–according to the Social Security Administration, an estimated 165 million workers are*–but how much do you know about this program? Test your knowledge by answering the following questions. Questions 1. If you decide to collect…Read More

Possible Relief for Consumers with Low Credit Scores
August 28, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

Changes to a widely used credit score may make it more likely for consumers struggling with low scores to obtain loans. Fair Isaac Corporation’s newest FICO® credit scoring model will change certain aspects of how it computes the information on…Read More

The 2014 Social Security Trustees Report: What Does the Future Hold?
August 22, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

Every year, the Trustees of the Social Security Trust Funds release a report to Congress on the current financial condition and projected financial outlook of the program. This year’s report, released on July 28, contains valuable information about the health…Read More

Retirement Myths and Realities
August 5, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

We all have some preconceived notions about what retirement will be like. But how do those notions compare with the reality of retirement? Here are four common retirement myths to consider. 1. My retirement won’t last that long The good…Read More

GAO Report Reveals Why People Claim Social Security Benefits Early
July 29, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

Why would people choose to claim Social Security retirement benefits at the earliest possible age of 62, rather than waiting until their full retirement age (66 to 67 for anyone born in 1943 or later), when doing so would reduce…Read More

Longevity Income Annuities
July 21, 2014  | By Kevin Smith

With luck, many of us can expect to live to a very ripe old age. Are you prepared, however, for the financial implications of that possibility? Today, individuals contemplating retirement frequently face the fact that the financial costs associated with…Read More