Author: Nicole Easton

To make it possible for voluntary retirement savings to keep up with inflation, the various numerical limits embedded within qualified retirement plans are indexed for inflation.   The big news today is that the IRA contribution limit goes from $5,500 to $6,000, if the individual is younger than age 50 in 2019, and $7,000 if he […]

The latest news on retirement preparedness is not encouraging. An estimated 40% of households headed by people aged 55 through 70 are unlikely to have sufficient resources to maintain their standard of living, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. The median 401(k) account balance for this group is just $135,000, which might be enough […]

More than 400,000 long-term-care insurance policies were sold in 1992, according to figures published by The Wall Street Journal. These are the policies that help seniors cover the costs of nursing home stays at the end of life. At least 400,000 additional policies were purchased each year in the subsequent ten years, peaking at about […]

The S&P 500 stocks may be divided into sectors, as follows: Energy Consumer Discretionary Consumer Staples Health Care Information Technology Financials Industrials Materials Communication Services Utilities Why is this important? Just as all stocks do not move in lockstep, each sector of the S&P 500 follows its own path. Some exhibit more growth characteristics; others […]

Many states offer some tax relief for their elderly citizens.  There may be some generosity behind the offer, or it may be part of an attempt to compete with lower-tax states for retiree residents.  That competition may heat up now that the state and local tax deduction is limited to $10,000.  The tax relief takes […]

Lotteries have become enormously popular in the United States.  There is a widespread perception that many lottery winners burn through their newfound wealth rather quickly, and don’t end up better off in the long run. Swedish researchers have examined this perception more rigorously, in a manner akin to a randomized test of a drug’s efficacy.  […]

Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul,” passed away in August. Her life and musical legacy were remarkable. Her estate planning, not so much. Reportedly, Ms. Franklin died without ever executing a will. Her four sons filed notices with the probate court, before her funeral, that they were interested parties to her estate. One signed a […]