Retirement Planning: Retirement and Investment Resources

Retirement. You’ve spent all your life preparing, dreaming and working towards that day when you get to trade your morning commute for a cruise to the Bahamas or grab a set of golf clubs on your way out the door instead of your briefcase. Whatever your ideal retirement looks like, they should all have a few things in common: Relaxing, fulfilling, secure, etc. But what you shouldn’t have to do is worry about money or pick up extra work out of necessity or financial hardships. To help make sure that your retirement years are some of the best of your life, take these three steps towards financial wellness.

Your 401(k) is your retirement nest egg. You’ll need that money later in life once you have stopped working. If you need extra cash for an emergency or have trouble making ends meet, you may be tempted to tap into your 401(k) before retiring. After all, it’s your money. But withdrawing from your account before you retire may leave you with less money for your golden years. Keep these tips in mind when tapping into your 401(k).

Whether you’re saving for your child to go to college or planning the next chapter of your career, you have several options to choose from when it comes to paying for school. The good news is that you’re thinking about your options ahead of time, which should help you make the most of your money as you prepare to further your education. 529 plans can be confusing but learning about these programs will help you save money over time as you finance your education, regardless of where you decide to go to school.

Investors want to know that the companies they support share their commitment to certain ideals. But judging a company based on these values can prove difficult. ESG investors can easily fall prey to what’s known as greenwashing, which is when a company deceives the investor into believing they are committed to certain causes and ideals. Learn more about the relationship between ESG investing and greenwashing, so you protect yourself from misleading claims.  

An estimated one in ten adults in the U.S. are in medical debt, and millions of households owe more than $10,000. Carrying around this added debt can negatively affect your finances but paying off your medical bills is not as straightforward as paying off other types of debt. You do, however, have options for reducing the amount you owe and when you pay it back. Learn how to manage medical debt to limit its effect on your finances.

If you’re looking to invest in the stock market, you might be thinking about investing in a mutual fund. But exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have become a popular alternative in recent years. They have many of the same benefits as mutual funds but are usually less expensive than mutual funds. Both options come with their fair share of pros and cons. If you’re not sure which is right for you, use this guide to get started.

If you’re getting ready to save for retirement, you may be thinking of opening what’s known as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). This is a common retirement savings tool to help you make the most of your hard-earned money. There are many different types of IRAs to choose from. Making the right choice all depends on your finances and future plans for your savings.

If you have an aging parent or loved one, it’s important to help them protect their savings and assets from fraud and mismanagement. Elderly individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may have trouble managing their money. Others may have trouble hearing, seeing or using technology, which can make them vulnerable to online hackers and scam artists. If you are worried about your parent’s ability to manage their finances, take these steps:

Estate planning allows you, not the courts, to make important decisions about your assets in the event you are incapacitated or deceased. Take a look at this lesson to learn about four documents that are essential to any estate plan.

You’ve heard about people buying stocks. You’ve even heard about people making a fortune by picking stocks. That sounds great! How do you get in on that? Not so fast. Buying stocks, even for the first time, is straightforward. Making a fortune on them can be harder, but it’s possible to get a nice rate of return without taking on unnecessary risk.

Do you want a 401(k) plan? Does your work offer one? What is a 401(k), anyway? A 401k account is the most popular employer sponsored retirement investment option for tax-deferred savings—it can help secure your retirement. If you are self-employed, freelance, or don’t have access to a 401k account, you can start an individual retirement account (IRA) instead. To maximize the benefits of your plan, you need to be conscious of what’s available to you and stay committed to getting the most out of your 401(k).