Stay safe when making cashless payments
We manage more of our financial lives through screens than ever before. We tap phones to pay for purchases and use apps instead of cash. Digital payments are fast, convenient and arguably safer than carrying wads of cash, but with this speed and convenience comes an element of risk. What happens when systems go down? Or, worse yet, what happens when someone breaks into the... READ MORE
What funeral directors wish everyone knew
Most people don’t want to think about death, let alone talk about it. When the time comes, families often find themselves overwhelmed, not only by grief but by the many decisions that need to be made quickly. Funeral directors witness this every day. They see the stress and confusion that can come when there is no plan in place and the peace of mind that comes with thoughtful... READ MORE
Talk about scams and how to spot them
When a scam artist called Cameron Huddleston’s mom to tell her to wire money to claim a prize, Huddleston had to intercept the calls. Her mom, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, was convinced she had to wire the money as soon as possible. “That was a wake-up call for me. If you have any cognitive decline, you don’t see those red flags anymore,” said Huddleston, who is the ... READ MORE
How to stay busy and happy in retirement
I have been retired from full-time work for 30 years now, and I probably have been more active during retirement than when I was working full-time. Many individuals in retirement are bored because they have not found activities that give them satisfaction. Maybe that’s because they haven’t tried hard enough to find activities that challenge them. During my “retirement,” I have ... READ MORE
Why so many people are afraid to retire
Ready, set — wait just a minute! This is what it looks like at the starting line of the largest-ever group of Americans who expected to be racing into retirement but are having second thoughts about leaving their jobs. According to the Alliance for Lifetime Income (ALI) 2025 Protected Retirement Income and Planning Study, the only annual retirement study that surveys both consumers... READ MORE
Do the math before taking that second job
Jim Carrey, Al Pacino and Hugh Grant aren’t the only ones who came out of retirement. Countless people return to the workforce after retiring. For some, it’s a matter of money — they have savings but are afraid it’s not enough. For others, it’s about their well-being — they are bored and miss the structure and sense of purpose at work. If you want to join the ranks of the... READ MORE
The pitfalls of Medicare Advantage plans
If you watch television, it is hard to avoid the promotions for Medicare Advantage plans, known as Medicare Part C. These commercials suggest that if you are eligible for Medicare, you should sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan. It is true that some individuals might benefit from a Medicare Advantage plan. However, you should be aware of the potential disadvantages. David Bynon has... READ MORE
Three common Social Security myths in 2025
Social Security plays an important role in retirement for most Americans. Here’s what you need to know about three common Social Security myths today: Myth No. 1: Social Security is going bankrupt Based on current projections, Social Security isn’t going bankrupt. According to the 2025 Social Security Trustees Report, if no changes are made to the program, it will need to reduce... READ MORE
How to choose the right annuity for you
Most of us have heard of annuities, but few understand how they work. Annuities can be a powerful addition to a retirement plan. In short, they can protect your savings while also providing you with higher-than-average rates of return. An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company where you make payments through a lump sum or contributions in exchange for future income.... READ MORE
Does a prior employer owe you benefits?
For many years, the Pension Retirement Center (PRC), a nonprofit organization, has provided services at no cost related to individual retirement plans. The center has encouraged the development of a database of information about benefits that employees are entitled to from previous retirement plans. As a result of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, the Department of Labor created such a... READ MORE
