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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, significantly impacts estate and financial planning.

Careful consideration of tax implications, Medicare enrollment, and personal financial goals is essential when deciding whether to work while collecting Social Security.

Many Americans misunderstand Medicare and Medicaid's limited coverage for long-term care, often overestimating their reliance on these programs.

To help prevent fraud, these rules will require people who need to change their direct deposit information to prove their identity online through a multistep, multifactor verification process that will provide them with a one-time PIN code. If they are unable to do this, then they will have to go to an SSA office to prove their identity.

If you have money to give your children, you certainly can, but you should be aware that you may face consequences should you apply for Medicaid long-term care coverage within five years after each gift.

It is always a good time to think about creating or reviewing advance directives, including a power of attorney for health care and a living will. More than essential legal tools, these documents can help you shape the life you want to lead as you age. The planning and thought involved in making and maintaining advance directives can give you a sense of autonomy and peace as you navigate long-term care, manage chronic conditions, and coordinate your care with your loved ones.

To help ensure that your loved ones do not have to deal with the probate process, one option you have is to use a deed to transfer your home that becomes effective only after you, as the owner of the home, pass away. However, be aware that using these deeds for probate avoidance can potentially introduce new issues.

Social Security benefits recipients who receive overpayments after March 27, 2025, will have their entire monthly benefit withheld until the overpaid amount is fully recovered.

There are various types of wills, such as simple, pour-over, joint, and holographic, each serving different estate planning needs.

A comprehensive estate plan can help your loved ones avoid family fights by addressing potential issues before they become legal challenges.

Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) allow donors to provide for themselves and their loved ones while supporting a charity, offering the opportunity to “test-drive” a charity before making a long-term commitment.

A lesser-known financial upside of Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRCs) is the potential tax deductibility of a portion of the entrance fee and monthly fees.

“Per stirpes” and “per capita” are terms used in estate planning that refer to the distribution method for the assets of a deceased person to their heirs. The distinction can significantly affect how assets are shared among family members. When deciding which distribution method to use, consider your family dynamics and the potential for any future disputes.

Talking about death, especially one’s own death, remains a topic that most people avoid thinking about or openly discussing. However, avoiding conversations about death and end-of-life care can lead to discomfort, confusion, and unfulfilled wishes in the long run.

By sidestepping the court process known as probate, TOD accounts offer an efficient way to pass assets to loved ones or charities. However, they are not suitable for all situations. Knowing when and how to use a transfer-on-death account can help your assets get to your beneficiaries in a timely manner.

The rules surrounding taxes on gifts often create confusion. With the 2025 tax season kicking off, be sure you understand the nuts and bolts of the gift tax, including when a gift tax form needs to be filed.

Natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes highlight the importance of disaster preparedness in estate planning.

Updates to Medicare coverage in 2025 include higher costs for Parts A and B, a new option to pay for Part D prescription drugs on a monthly basis, and a cap on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs. In addition, Medicare coverage of some telehealth services will continue through March 2025.

New legislation signed by President Biden will boost monthly benefits for nearly 3 million public sector employees in 26 states.

Under the new law, veterans can receive HCBS if the cost is equal to or less than the cost of receiving the same care in a VA nursing home. The VA can also allow home and community-based services that exceed the cost of VA nursing home services if the VA determines that paying the higher cost is in the best interest of the veteran.

Whether you have a dog, cat, parrot, or lizard, there are options you can pursue to help secure their well-being. When you’ve passed away or can no longer tend to your pet’s needs, your estate plan will prove essential to them.

Estate planning can help to ensure that your property is handled according to your wishes and doesn’t become a source of conflict or financial burden for your heirs. Here are key considerations and strategies for including a vacation home in your estate plan.

Today, understanding which digital information and accounts you can legally leave to your loved ones is crucial to protecting your assets, while laws governing these online assets continue to change. However, legally gaining access to digital assets and encoded financial data can present challenges for anyone other than the original owner.

You may assume that you won’t ever need long-term care services, but data shows that nearly seven in 10 adults aged 65 and over will, in fact, require it at some point in their later years. Although it does add another expense to one’s life, long-term care insurance can be helpful. Plus, keep in mind that you may be able to deduct all or some of your long-term care insurance premium when you file your taxes.

Medicare is a program with many benefits but also with a great deal of complexity. Knowing about the options available to Medicare beneficiaries will help you understand and navigate the system. Let’s look at Medicare’s annual wellness visits.