Financial Planning Blog & Retirement Resources

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retirement travel Happy Retirement

Retirement Travel: 20 Ideas for Keeping It Affordable and Safe

Travel is a top retirement goal. Get the most out of it with senior discounts, cheap lodgings, national park passes, and long-trip strategies.

June 17, 2026
A smiling man with glasses sits on a wooden bench outdoors with his laptop, enjoying a relaxed moment while testing his money management knowledge with a financial literacy quiz. Financial Wellness

Financial Literacy Quiz: Can You Beat the National Average?

Only 15% of Americans managed to ace this 8-question financial literacy quiz. Find out which knowledge gaps cost you the most.

June 11, 2026
An older couple stands close together in an urban park, illustrating how boosting financial literacy in america can provide security and peace of mind for the future. Retirement Planning

Financial Literacy in America Has Hit a 10-Year Low

Americans answered just 47% of questions correctly in 2026. Learn where knowledge falls short, and how to make confident financial decisions.

June 10, 2026
A senior man with a thoughtful expression stands by a tranquil lake in autumn, wearing a warm beanie and jacket. His calm yet serious gaze reflects the resilience needed when navigating financial uncertainties like potential social security benefit cuts. Social Security

Social Security Benefit Cuts? What the Latest Projections Show

Social Security benefit cuts are a real risk but not certain. Here’s what projections show, and how to plan your retirement accordingly.

June 9, 2026
A young female graduate in a cap and gown laughs joyfully with her parents outdoors at her graduation ceremony, highlighting a major family milestone and prompting parents to consider what to do with money after kids graduate. Retirement Planning

What to Do With Money After Kids Graduate

When tuition stops, it frees up $30,000 to $80,000 a year. Most households don’t have a plan for that money. Here’s how to put it to work.

June 4, 2026
A man kisses a smiling East Asian woman on the forehead as they embrace on a rocky coastline at sunset, evoking the serene and beautiful landscapes people seek out when researching the best places to retire in the world. Housing and Home Equity

Best Places to Retire in the World: 2026 Rankings and Costs

Some 44% of Americans seriously consider retiring abroad. Greece ranked #1 in 2026. See costs, visa requirements, and where demand is going.

June 2, 2026
Retirement Planning

Why Having a Plan Gives You More Freedom in Retirement

A retirement plan isn’t about restriction. It’s what turns limited resources into real confidence. Here’s why the constraint is the point.

June 1, 2026
A smiling Black man with a beard looks off-camera while standing outside in a sunlit garden, reflecting the joy and freedom of planning early to beat the average retirement age. Retirement Planning

Average Retirement Age: Americans Retire Earlier Than Planned

The actual average retirement age is 61, five years earlier than most Americans expect. See how it varies by state, gender, and data source.

May 31, 2026
An older couple smiles and chats while holding wine glasses during an evening patio dinner party, with a younger couple in the background, capturing the joy of celebrating major family milestones like buying a house for your child. Retirement Savings and Investments

What Buying a House for Your Child Costs Your Retirement

A $150,000 gift can cost $360,000 in retirement terms. Here’s the opportunity cost math, gift tax rules, and four ways to structure the help.

May 28, 2026
A happy senior couple sits together on a log laughing while holding water bottles during a hike, illustrating how reliable retirement income can help bridge the gap left by a low S&P 500 dividend yield. Retirement Savings and Investments

S&P 500 Dividend Yield Is 1%: How to Plan Retirement Income

A 1% S&P 500 dividend yield leaves an income gap in retirement. An income floor can bridge it, and a Treasury ladder can help build it.

May 26, 2026
Podcast

Podcast 110: Evidence-Based Investing, Index Funds & Staying the Course, with Paul Merriman

Paul Merriman of the Merriman Financial Education Foundation discusses factor investing, index funds, and long-term wealth strategies.

May 25, 2026
A young woman playfully peeks out from behind a lush green hedge, representing how uncovering hidden financial strategies can lead to greater long-term financial well-being. Financial Wellness

What the Fed’s Financial Well-Being Survey Misses About Retirement, and What to Do About It

The Fed found 73% of Americans doing okay financially. Only 35% feel on track for retirement. Both numbers are right, and that’s the problem.

May 21, 2026
Retirement Planning

What’s a Safe Withdrawal Rate in 2026? Morningstar Weighs In

Morningstar puts the safe withdrawal rate at 3.9%, but flexible strategies can push it to 5.7%. Seven takeaways and what they mean for you.

May 20, 2026
Close-up on the hands of an older couple assembling a jigsaw puzzle together at a table, symbolizing how fitting the right pieces together, like the Vanguard Target Retirement Lifetime Income strategy, helps create a complete and stable retirement picture. Annuities

Vanguard Target Retirement Lifetime Income: What It Can and Can’t Do for You

Vanguard’s new target-date trusts put guaranteed income inside your 401(k). But a floor isn’t a plan. Here’s what the product can’t tell you.

May 18, 2026
smiling senior woman sits at a desk with a laptop and a coffee mug, showing the comfort and flexibility of choosing to work from home for seniors. Uncategorized

Work From Home for Seniors: Flexible Remote Jobs to Match Your Lifestyle

Remote jobs for seniors offer flexible hours and real income. Find the best work-from-home roles and how to land them safely.

May 17, 2026
A smiling grandmother gives her young grandson a piggyback ride outdoors, illustrating that answering the question "are you wealthy" often goes beyond money to include family, joy, and meaningful relationships. Financial Wellness

Are You Wealthy? The Definitions and Benchmarks That Matter

Most Americans say it takes $2.3M to feel wealthy. Whether you qualify depends on cash flow, where you live, and one shared habit.

May 17, 2026
A woman playfully balances on a stone path in a lush forest, representing how balanced funds provide easy stability during the saving years, though retirees must later plan for more flexible withdrawal strategies. Retirement Savings and Investments

Balanced Funds: Are They a Good Choice in Retirement?

Balanced funds simplify investing while you’re saving. But proportional withdrawals can limit flexibility in retirement when it matters most.

May 14, 2026
Retirement Planning

How a Single, Self-Employed Woman Built Her Retirement Plan

She was self-employed, single, and unsure she’d saved enough. Then the Boldin Planner showed the full picture, and the answer surprised her.

May 13, 2026
A smiling younger woman with her arm around a happy senior woman as they walk outdoors, highlighting the importance of long-term financial planning and understanding the average net worth by age to ensure a comfortable future for every generation. Retirement Planning

Average Net Worth by Age: Federal Reserve Data by Age Group

The average U.S. net worth is $1,063,700. The median is $192,900. See how people your age compare.

May 10, 2026
An active woman power walks on a coastal path, illustrating the need for healthy habits and financial planning when considering how long does retirement last. Retirement Planning

Americans Want to Live to 91. How Long Will Your Retirement Last?

Retirement planning assumes a lifespan of 79, but most Americans hope to live longer. Here’s how your plan can last as long as you do.

May 7, 2026
A smiling professional woman in a business discussion, smiling as she looks up, suggesting a positive financial outlook and a sound future, contrasting with those who may later experience common retirement regrets. Retirement Planning

15 Retirement Regrets: What to Do About Each One

74% of retirees have financial regrets. These 15 planning mistakes are the most common, and every one of them is still fixable.

May 6, 2026
A happy and relaxed middle-aged man walking down a sunny city street, representing the confidence and freedom that comes from having a well-organized retirement spending plan. Retirement Planning

Retirement Spending Plan: How to Know If Your Number Is Right

Retirement spending estimates are often too low, but a retirement spending plan can change that. Here’s how to keep your money from running out.

May 6, 2026
Podcast

Podcast 109: Personal Finance for Real People: DIY Investing, Long-Term Care, and the AI Future, with Erin Talks Money

Erin Moriarty of Erin Talks Money explores the emotional side of money, retirement spending, and how AI is reshaping financial planning.

May 5, 2026
An older Black man and a young woman play a dynamic game of doubles tennis on a clay court, reflecting the active lifestyle and energy that can be supported by finding engaging part-time jobs for retirees. Earning

Best Part-Time Jobs for Retirees: 20 Flexible Options

Tutoring pays $25–80/hr. Pet sitting, consulting, and rideshare offer flexible hours. 20 part-time jobs for retirees, and what they pay.

May 3, 2026

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