Cash, dough, greenbacks, moollah, dinero—whatever the moniker, the amount of money we have will define what we can and can’t do in retirement. Retirement is all about money and our ability to manage it so that we can use it during our retirement years and leave an estate for our loved ones if we choose to do so. Perhaps the most important point is to convince you that you must establish an income that you can- not outlive. With life expectancy increasing, you run the very real risk of outliving your income. (more…)

With changes in lifestyle after you retire, you could be spending more money related to health, recreation, your home, and your hobbies after retirement. Your cost of living after retirement may increase as well.

Medical

As previously mentioned, your medical costs will increase post retirement, and you’ll need to budget for this expense accordingly. (more…)

It depends on the size of your estate and subject to the trust. If your property for investment is in the amount exempted from property tax ($ 3,500,000 for the year 2009) and small enough to qualify economy and the rapid succession in your state you may not need. Note that the land tax in 2010 should be repealed, but Congress can change that. (more…)

If ever you want, you can modify or terminate a trust, you need a revocable trust. But this type of trust is not entitled to the assets of the estate, as the systems are still under his control. With a revocable trust, you pay income trusts and other assets subject to estate taxes in their death.

On the other side need to be absolutely sure your decision before an irrevocable trust. (more…)

These may be two of your largest goals. The good news is that there’s a lot of assistance out there to help you reach them. In the meantime, use these benchmarks to help finalize your important list of goals.

The College Board reported that for the 2005-2006 school year, one year of a private college costs an average of $29,026—that’s including tuition, fees, and room and board. Multiply that times four and you’re talking close to $120,000 for a four-year school—assuming your child wants to live in a dorm. A public institution costs $12,127, including tuition, fees, and room and board. That’s $48,000 to live away from home for four years. By contrast, your child can go to a two-year public college for an average of $2,191, or a little over $4,000, for the full two years. The added costs of room and board likely won’t be necessary. (more…)

If you have plan to spend your retirement time outside US, there are some factors to consider due to country-specific restrictions, changes in national banking regulations, and changes to work like in a foreign country. You may also consider if it might affect your benefits, and whether your benefits may be taxable. If you plan to retire outside the United States, you may be affected as you benefit from social security benefits abroad. (more…)

The day has finally arrived, you have work for years and now you have to decide if it is the time for an early departure from your company, or continue to work for a few years. The advantages and disadvantages of early retirement are quite simple to understand, to the disappointment of many people. The advantages or pros of early retirement are quite simple: you can stop working! The disadvantages or cons of early retirements are a bit more complicated. (more…)

The place where you live can have a significant impact on your financial needs. In the years before retirement, use vacations to explore areas and cities where you might want to settle. If you find a place you like, go there at different times of the year. That way, you will be able to experience the climate and environment. Meet people who live in the area and learn about activities, transportation, and taxes. (more…)

Imagine if you’re retired now, how many times you gave a second thought for the date of your Required Minimum Distributions (RMDS or minimum distribution) from your retirement accounts? Each retirement account holder retired U.S. who are over the age of 70.5 years (except for Roth IRA owners) should take annual RMD. On the other hand, tax law does not explicitly mention the exact date of the distributions. Yes it is clear that it must be from 31 taking December of each calendar every year. (more…)

The financial crisis in the world has been on edge especially those who are related to private pension funds whether voluntary or with a solidarity contribution on the part of the state. Of course, in Colombia things are not as severe as in the United States, but with such a tremendous financial position the risk is latent, it does not entail a red alert, even more if one takes into account the disturbing news January 2008 when the Superintendency of Banks reported that the pension and severance (more…)