Most retirees don’t really understand how their Social Security benefits are calculated. The more we learn, the more surprised we are. Social Security has evolved over the years to become a major piece of the retirement puzzle for most Americans.
In short, those who understand Social Security can get the most out of the benefits they earned. On the other hand, if you start drawing Social Security without fully understanding the impact on your situation, it could cost you big time.
Deciding what pension payout option to choose is a momentous decision with huge impacts on your financial future. There may be several different options – and you don’t want to choose the wrong one. Your company’s plan documents can also be confusing, which makes things more stressful.
However, with the right education and planning, you can navigate this important decision with confidence. The biggest challenge is understanding how each payout option can help work in concert with the other pieces of your life. We hope to give you the tools to make informed comparisons to make the best decision for you and your family.
For many retirees with a pension, maximizing your payout options is vital. Many pension plans use what’s called a Final Average Earnings (FAE) calculation. There are several factors that might affect your retirement pay.
You might not be able to control all the variables in your FAE calculation, but certain things, like deciding when to retire, are generally within your control. You don’t want to make the mistake of retiring too early and missing a benefit or working longer with minimal or no benefit to you.
Coordinating your pension and Social Security benefits are some of the most important decisions you’ll make as you retire. It’s very important you don’t plan either one without looking at your whole financial picture. In other words, we want you to think about your overall retirement income – not just your pension or Social Security.
Your pension income, retirement accounts (401k, 403b, TSP, IRA, etc.), Social Security, and other income (rental property, inheritance, etc.) all factor into how much you need in retirement. Each one of them comes with their own risks and benefits to consider in relation to your other retirement income sources.
Your Social Security benefits could be reduced if you also have a pension. Don’t be caught off guard by all the unique rules surrounding pensions and Social Security. Knowing the facts about Social Security taxation, the Windfall Elimination Provision, and the Government Pension Offset is essential.
Armed with the correct information and guidance, you can avoid surprises and cover your bases. A common concern for retirees with a pension is how this will affect their Social Security benefits. Let’s take some time to understand which rules apply to your situation so you can plan accordingly.
Annuities can be as confusing as any product on the market. However, they can be a handy tool for the right individuals. Don’t let all the ambiguous and confusing terms discourage you from learning about annuities.
A general understanding of how annuities work, the types of annuities available, and the tax implications is helpful. We’ll also analyze the costs and fees, how annuities can insure against longevity risk, and whether an annuity product might be right for you.
This post was last updated on January 10, 2025, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Although you might not care much about what age you are, the government does. It’s very important you keep track of key age-related milestones in retirement. If you fail to properly plan around these, you may be missing out on some opportunities – or even face penalties.
This post was last updated on January 10, 2025, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Are you looking for ways to avoid taxes on retirement and Social Security income? There are many retirement tax strategies you should be aware of. You may even be looking for how to avoid taxes on withdrawals from your 401k or other investment accounts.
This post was last updated on January 03, 2025, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Proper planning is crucial to ensure a smooth transition into a fulfilling retirement lifestyle. However, it can be really intimidating when you first get started. You aren’t the first person to retire, so you can draw on the experience of others who’ve walked this path.
As you draw closer to retirement, it’s essential for you to get things filed on time. In many cases, you’ll only have one opportunity to get things right. Other decisions may lock you in for a long time.
No matter what, each decision and deadline as you approach your retirement date is critical. This is why NextGen Wealth specializes in the transition phase of retirement and beyond. If you take the time to lay the foundation of your retirement on solid ground, everything else goes much more smoothly.
Savvy retirees know the importance of having multiple streams of income in retirement. Multiple income sources help ensure financial stability and peace of mind. We know the importance of having a diversified portfolio, but diverse income streams are even better!
You don’t want all your nest egg(s) in one basket. It’s best to analyze all potential income sources first thoroughly. Then, you can craft a comprehensive financial plan to meet all your retirement needs.
Retiring early might sound nice, but not if you’re forced into it! If you are forced to retire sooner than you planned, you’ll need to prepare yourself for your next chapter a bit abruptly. You may not have saved as much money as you had hoped, or this may mean smaller dreams for you.
Regardless of what forced you to retire early, there are steps you can take to improve your financial position. Let’s talk about what you need to consider if you find yourself in this situation.
Deciding on when to draw Social Security based on only one or two factors could be a huge mistake. As you approach retirement, your financial life doesn’t necessarily become less complicated. In some ways it gets even more complex.
It may seem like making the right decision is pretty straightforward. However, once you include all the different income, tax, and lifestyle variables, it isn’t that easy. At NextGen Wealth, we help guide you through these decisions in a deliberate and methodical approach.
This post was last updated on January 08, 2025, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Interested in keeping your medical costs low in retirement? Failing to plan out key details could cost you if you’re not careful. Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) for your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums are a prime example.
This post was last updated on January 03, 2025, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
You may have spent your whole life working towards retirement. However, as you get closer to retirement, there are so many feelings and doubts that can creep in and cause you stress. There’s no need to worry – as long as you have a plan.
Running out of money is a real worry for retirees. However, you can reduce or eliminate worries around longevity risk in retirement. With careful planning, it might be easier than you think.
Regardless, we recommend planning for your retirement early and often. The longer you wait, the less options you have. So, what can you do to protect yourself from longevity risk?
Fraud and online scams are a growing threat to all Americans. However, you can take steps to make yourself less likely to become a victim of scammers. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission received reports of over $10 Billion in total fraud losses!
Brandon Lovingier was privileged to interview Kathy Stokes, the Director of Fraud Prevention Programs with AARP, at FinCon 2023. Her insights on fraud prevention are used throughout this article, along with some of our own advice and helpful tips. We hope to inform you of best practices to protect you and your loved ones from becoming victims of fraud, theft, and scams.
This post was last updated on December 30, 2022, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Deciding when to draw social security benefits is one of the most important decisions you will make as a retiree. Careful consideration of your specific situation and goals is a must. Don’t wait until you’re eligible to make these important decisions.
