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Don’t rely on social security for all your retirement income needs

Don’t rely on social security for all your retirement income needs

The good old days of working hard for 30+ years and then retiring with a pension plan and social security or even just social security are in a sharp decline if not over. Certainly if you are not close to age 62 the likely hood that social security will be all the retirement income you need is very low.  With the ever growing medical expenses more and more baby boomers are likely to outlive their retirement income.   The stagnant economy also presents a threat...

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The “Stretch IRA” Could Be Finished For Good

The “Stretch IRA” Could Be Finished For Good

Although as consumers we are not even close to being experts on stretch IRA’s, we are certainly comfortable with the basics. We are also comfortable knowing the powerful value they contain to continue a legacy and to spread out large tax burdens.  Well our friends up on Capital Hill (who apparently are experts at finding ways to bleed more taxes out of us) are discussing a proposal that would end the stretch IRA’s for good.  As you read the well written article below by Michael...

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CasaSanta Financial Services Announces Latest Retirement Educational Website

CasaSanta Financial Services Announces Latest Retirement Educational Website

CasaSanta Financial Services, in conjunction with Annuity123, reveals the latest educational website for baby boomers and retirees in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. The two educational forces have joined to bring current and unbiased retirement research for Charlotte families and retirees.   John CasaSanta, President of CasaSanta Financial Services, announced his company’s latest retirement and financial educational website for Charlotte consumers. The new informative website contains retirement news feeds that are updated daily along with financial calculators, a tax center, and retirement white papers. All...

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Social Security Taxes by State

Social Security Taxes by State

According  to the KiplingerTax Letter June 10, 2011 article, “Retiree Tax Heavens (and Hells)”  are as follows: Heavens;  Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Hells : California, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Vermont. Income taxes, sales taxes, real estate taxes, friendliness to pensions, and taxes on Social Security benefits were the considerations in compiling these lists. Not all states made every category. Just in case you’re wondering which states do not tax Social Security...

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How can the possible collapse in Greece affect your retirement?

How can the possible collapse in Greece affect your retirement?

    If you keep up with the markets you have probably heard all you want to hear about Greece, Spain, Portugal and the European Union’s (“EU”) financial troubles.  Right now Greece is the most likely to fall and the uncertainly in Europe played havoc on the Dow Jones last year.   Greece is currently facing problems that the USA may face in the future.  In very simple terms their entitlements (Government Spending) are far more than their tax revenues.  Additionally, their national debt is now...

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Making It Easier To Buy Annuities

Making It Easier To Buy Annuities

Just as the concern for baby boomers running out of income is a very hot topic here in America, the same problem persists in other parts of the world as well.  Perhaps even more so in regards to the education and awareness in some respects.  For instance, we have been following the “pension” and “annuity” related articles in England for the past year which vastly overshadow the amount of similar related articles in America.  It seems every day there is more evidence of groups pushing...

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Things to consider when you are choosing where to retire

Things to consider when you are choosing where to retire

If you’re getting close to retirement, the question always seems to come up of where the best place to retire is.  Are you going to stay in your house? Are there warmer climates that are calling your name?  We’re going to explore some things to consider when you’re making this important decision.  Let’s start with income considerations.  For a retiree, income comes in the form of pensions, IRAs, or money coming in from properties and investments.   The states with the highest income taxes are...

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Where should you live when you retire?

Where should you live when you retire?

  According to Cnn Money , the top places to retire are as follows: Marquette, Mich. Cape Coral, Fla. Boise, Idaho Danville, Ky. Weatherford, Texas Southaven, Miss. But the US News and World Report lists these cities as the Top Ten places to retire: Flagstaff, Arizona – Pleasant year-round weather Boone, N.C. – Affordable mountain town Traverse City, Mich. – Water views on a budget Walnut Creek, Calif. – Greenest place to retire Ithaca, N.  Y. – College town for retirees Lincoln, Neb. – Place...

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Annuity School

Annuity School

As many of you probably heard this week, there is some potential new legislation that could alter 401k accounts to have a type of longevity annuity available to every American.  Furthermore, there are some big things on the table in regards to altering the current pension plans into much more consumer, annuity friendly vehicles. So all of this exciting news for the retirement income industry has brought with it a need for education on annuities.  I won’t mention the television station, but I watched two...

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Beware of Medicare Advantage Plans

Beware of Medicare Advantage Plans

  One of the most important financial factors in retirement and retirement planning are medical expenses.  Medicare coverage has grown much more complicated with the addition of Medicare Advantage Plans, their substantial variability and their rapid growth. One in five Medicare patients (over 8 million) are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan.  The largest plans are Humana and United Healthcare.  With an “all in one” plan Medicare beneficiaries can avoid the hassle of enrolling with Medicare and prescription drug coverage. From Medicare.gov The Official U.S....

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