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Protection varies according to state law. IRAs are protected from bankruptcy. However, there are some limitations you should guard against, according to The Balance in “What is IRA Bankruptcy Protection?”   President George W. Bush signed bankruptcy protection into law in 2005 with the Bank...

Not having a long-term care plan can put your family at financial risk. A government report estimates a vast majority of those over 65 will end up needing long-term care. However, many people do not have plans to meet the expenditures, according to Westfair Online...

Life can get in the way of you meeting your goals. However, embracing some tactics can be helpful. Making resolutions to accomplish certain goals is never an easy task and New Year's resolutions are no different. Financial goals are often on the list of resolutions and there are some secrets...

Working at the age of 65 is not the same as working at 20. Working for decades can take a toll on employees as they near retirement age. However, a phased retirement can offer a situation that works well for both the worker and the employer, according to the Missoulian in “Why Companies Shou...

Now is the time to handle those details you have overlooked. There may be a number of estate planning details that you have not addressed in previous years. This year is a good year to get it done, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette...

If Social Security will be 40% of your income, where does the rest come from? Social Security was never intended to be your total retirement funding, so you need as many revenue streams as possible, according to U.S. News & World Report in an article that compares “Pension vs. 401(k).” A tr...

If you are thinking of upscale retirement, it might be best to check in early and enjoy the lifestyle. Boomers have had a way of being out front when it comes to making changes in society, and it isn't any different when it comes to retirement, as they eye the expansion of five-star luxury r...

The decision to disinherit someone isn't made lightly and needs careful consideration. Sometimes as the difficulties of life wind through families, it is decided it would be best to disinherit a family member. It can be done. However, it needs careful legal consideration, according to Next Avenue...

There are some lessons to be learned from the experience of others. Things do not always go as we plan. A couple planned and saved for their retirement but then faced some tough challenges, according to the Canton Citizen in “Smart About Money: Retirement Lessons.”

Where do you want your assets to go, when you think of your loved ones? Estate planning can be a comfort to you but is also a gift of peace of mind to your family and may be a good way to begin the New Year, according to the Brainerd Dispatch...

It wouldn't be a lot of fun to run out of money. What is the number one concern about retirement? Running out of cash is the answer. However, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the chances, according to the AARP Bulletin's article “4 Steps to Make Your Money Last a Lifetime.”

The estate plan is a major tool to protect your family. Okay, you now have an estate plan. What's the biggest mistake you can make? Not updating the plan as the years go by and life changes occur, according to the Times Herald in “Top six estate planning mistakes.”   

It is your future and your money. Learn everything you can about the program. Social Security is an entitlement, and you have worked long and hard for it. It would be best to take the time to investigate what you will receive and when it would be best to take it, according to the AARP Bulletin...

An estate planning resolution can be beneficial to everyone. There are many possible New Year's resolutions. However, a good one to consider may well be creating an estate plan or taking a fresh look at your current plan, according to the Grand Rapids Business Journal ...

You can eliminate stress and expense and save your loved ones a lot of trouble. If you don't make some decisions about what you would like to happen with your assets when you are gone, it is likely that your heirs will be facing some pretty difficult challenges.

What measures would you like carried out if health issues arise and you can't speak for yourself? A very important conversation to have with your loved ones is what you would like for care should a health crisis arise. While it most likely will not be your favorite conversation, it is importan...

Open and honest communication can be the key to a good estate plan. Most married couples have a small age difference.  However, for those who don't, it is possible that there can be complications, according to the Reno Gazette Journal...

The new tax laws offer some opportunities. Have you taken the laws into consideration? With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in place, the end of the year is a good time to review your estate plan and see what you are missing or what opportunities may be available, according to The National Law Journal...

So, which trusts will work for you? There are many ways to use various trusts within an estate plan and it most likely will be beneficial to learn which ones will help achieve your goals, according to The Daily Sentinel in “Are you prepared for threats to your estate?”

If the topic of medical directives has not come up within the family and there has been no discussion, then do it now. Medical directives and other estate planning documents need to be kept up to date as the years pass by, according to the Watertown Public Opinion...

If you are fortunate enough to have an employer match, the end results are even better. The IRS has raised the contribution limit for a 401(k) plan by $500 next year and it can make a difference over the years in your retirement fund, according to The New York Times...

Everyone dies but what documents do you need in your lifetime? When it comes to estate planning, people often focus on what is needed when you pass away. However, there are some key documents you don't want to go without in your lifetime, according to nwi.com...

Thinking of traveling after years of work? Plan for it and save for it. When it comes to planning for your retirement, consider the possibilities that await you. However, you should also consider the fact you will most likely be living on a fixed budget and costs become crucial, according to...

You may have to take care of your parents in later life and it's best to prepare one step at a time. Life starts out with your parents taking care of you but often that scenario changes and you end up caring for your parents. Sometimes preparing for that situation is easy but not always...

What might happen if you have the talent for success but not the talent for business? As can often be the case, many extremely talented people accumulate large estates and they often are not prepared to take on the task of organizing the transfer of assets, according to the Reno Gazette Joural...