A Primer on HSAs and Saving for Retirement

My Comments: HSA is an acronym for Health Savings Accounts. They came into being in 2003 as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act. They are defined for tax purposes under Section 223 of the IRS Code. With increasing attention on the millions of Americans who will soon retire, and their general …

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4 Jaw-Dropping Stats about Retirement

My Comments: Virtually everyone I speak with about about their future retirement knows they need to pay attention at some point. But it’s normal not to worry too hard about something that’s not going to happen to you for several years into the future. In my online courses about retirement planning I make this observation. …

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A Radical, Redistributive Re-imagining of Capitalism?

My Comments: You may have heard me describe myself as a Social Capitalist. That term is my effort to describle my views as an economist troubled by the widening gap in income across this country. Sooner or later we have to come to terms with what I call unfettered capitalism which in my judgement, has …

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When it Comes to Retirement, Small Businesses Are Failing Their Employees

My Comments: Very few of us are awash in money. And like it or not in 21st Century America, having more money is almost always better than having less money. If you own a small business or work for one, your future financial security is always in doubt. Criticize me if you will, but my …

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What to Do with All Those Old 401(k)s and IRAs

It's about as fun as herding cats, but rounding up all your IRAs and 401(k)s into just one or two accounts can really simplify your financial life. My Comments: The IRS says you can have as many retirment accounts as you like. All they care about is getting their share of the money when you …

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Undocumented Immigrants and Social Security: Separating Fact From Fiction

Are undocumented workers really a drain on Social Security's resources? My Comments: The boogyman is trying to get you riled up. And to the extent you are riled up, it’s diverting you from an uncomfortable truth. Congress needs to change the Social Security rules in a manner similar to what it did back in 1983. …

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Retirees across America are facing a fiscal crisis as Social Security weakens

My Comments: I post this because you and I have the power to make sure the Social Security safety net is fixed so it remains viable well into this century. To make that happen, we have to put pressure on those whom we elect to represent us at the Federal level. It was last fixed …

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Don’t Fall for These 10 Long Term Care Insurance Myths

My Comments: Bad things happen to good people from time to time. One of the bad things is that as we age, we tend to need more and more care from others to get us through the day. At some point, if you are still alive, it may be necessary for a professional to help …

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3 Social Security Rules You Should Know by Heart

My Comments: Believe it or not, Social Security is NOT rocket science. But you’d never know that from some of the questions asked. First step for everyone, no matter how old you are today, is to go to the Social Security web site and, assuming you have a social security number, get yourself registered so …

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Here’s what fees can do to your retirement if you don’t pay attention

My Comments: While this was apparently written for Canadians, I assure you it is equally valid for those of us in the States. What you can never forget is that not every financial advisor or company offering investment products have your best interest at heart. That’s not to say fees are evil, they are not. …

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