It’s the question that virtually every retiree has: Is it better to claim your Social Security benefits early or wait? It’s a hard question to answer, in part because everyone’s situation can be drastically different, but also because of the serious downsides of outliving your income. Unfortunately, many seniors are unprepared for this tough decision, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) and representatives do a poor job — one expert says, “terrible” — of helping retirees decide when...

While cryptocurrency has surged in popularity in recent years, only a minority of Americans have actually traded it. Among the most popular cryptos are Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin, each of which has seen a lot of action as prices rise and fall. The appeal for traders? The potential to make significant money on the volatility of these highly speculative assets. Increasingly, traders have more and more ways to access cryptocurrencies. New exchanges and trading platforms have started in...

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan that allows you to pay for education expenses. This college savings plan allows any contributions to the account to grow tax-deferred. Money can be withdrawn tax-free as long as it’s used for qualified education expenses, such as tuition and fees, room and board and books at universities as well as technical and vocational schools. While created to help pay for college, these plans can now also be used to pay for K-12 tuition at private schools. A...

Coronavirus has proven to be a major threat to our overall well-being. And with all the trouble it’s caused to families, now could be a good time to review your own estate planning needs. It’s something that many people may be overlooking, either accidentally or on purpose, as this economic and health crisis plays out. Nevertheless, knowing that your assets are going where you intend them can bring you peace of mind amid the chaos. One of the most fundamental choices you can make as you’re...