Retirement

In response to the recent burst of inflation, the government increased Social Security benefits significantly in the past two years. But compared to average pre-retirement income, net benefits have been falling for decades. And the trend will continue. One big reason: Rapidly rising Medicare premiums that usually are deducted directly from Social Security checks. Think

For aging parents who were responsible enough to do estate planning, the lawyer who put their will and trust together had them appoint a power of attorney for finances (POA). If they picked you to do that, it’s likely no one gave you an instruction book to go with the role. Serving as the one

When a large, unexpected expense crops up, you don’t want to increase the cost by using a less-than-optimum way to raise the needed cash. Explore the options and select the best one for you. An unexpected cash need can spring from medical treatment, home repairs, taxes, and help for family members, among others. Of course,

Recently, one of my readers at Live And Invest Overseas wrote to me to ask whether she should buy property in Greece to qualify for residency under its golden visa program. She was considering the golden visa because she wanted more time in the Schengen Area than her U.S. passport allows (90 days in any

The battle goes on with aging parents who are living alone or without family nearby and their adult children. From the kids’ point of view, their parent is just not safe in that big house anymore, with the declines that often come with aging. Perhaps the elder has lost a spouse or partner and there