Personal Finance & Retirement
Here you can find personal finance tips, retirement advice, tax-saving and investment strategies, and answers to your questions on Social Security, Medicare, and life insurance.
If you loan money to a friend or family member, you may feel that his or her word, or a handshake, is enough to seal the deal. Instead, use a document called a promissory note to detail the terms of the loan agreement. Avoid disagreements about when the loan is due and clarify it’s not a gift.
Identity theft has become an epidemic, claiming millions of victims in the United States. How should you respond to this threat? If you believe you might be a victim of identity theft -- for example, you lost your wallet or gave personal information to a stranger -- take these simple steps immediately.
In an audit, you must convince the IRS that you reported all of your income and were entitled to any credits, deductions, and exemptions that are questioned. Postponing the audit usually works to your advantage. Request more time whenever you need it to get your records in order, or for any other reason.
Life insurance has long been a part of estate planning in the United States. Although life insurance does not need to be a part of every person's estate plan, it can be very useful, especially for parents of young children and those who support a spouse or a disabled adult or child.
There are several ways to avoid the extra 10% tax on early distributions from retirement plans. Avoid the penalty if you become disabled, if you pay child support or alimony from your retirement plan, or if you withdraw money from a retirement plan to pay medical expenses. Read on for more tips.
Four basic categories of Social Security benefits can be paid based upon the record of your earnings: retirement benefits, disability benefits, dependents benefits, and survivors benefits. Learn about whether you qualify for these benefits and when you can -- or should -- claim them.
There are several ways to avoid the extra 10% tax on early distributions from retirement plans. Avoid the penalty if you become disabled, if you pay child support or alimony from your retirement plan, or if you withdraw money from a retirement plan to pay medical expenses. Read on for more tips.
Medicare and Medicaid are very different: Medicaid is a federal need-based program, while Medicare is a federal entitlement program based on your employment history. You may qualify for and receive coverage from both Medicare and Medicaid.