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Old age is often considered a time of decline, but older adults around the world are filling their golden years with amazing accomplishments. Scroll down to watch five inspiring videos that prove life doesn’t end after 50. 1. The Rockin’ Runner Most people won’t ever run a marathon, but in June 2014, Charlotte, N.C. resident…

Many people are all too familiar with the past few years’ economic crisis, but fewer realize that there’s another, potentially worse dilemma looming: the retirement healthcare crisis. As the nation’s 78 million Baby Boomers head toward retirement age, federal budgets for Medicare and Social Security are expected to be strained. At the same time, many…

Nearly three-quarters of grandparents think it’s important to help their grandchildren pay for college, according to research from Fidelity Investments, but the ability to financially contribute to college education requires planning ahead. Many grandparents value college education and believe it’s an important component for providing young people with the best opportunity to succeed, indicates Fidelity’s…

When considering a financial product or loan of any sort, one of the first things to do is find a reputable company or lender to work with. This can be especially important for someone interested in taking out a reverse mortgage, a loan designated for borrowers age 62 and older. The importance of identifying a…

It’s a well-known fact that a small percentage of people control the majority of wealth in the United States. But all investors can take cues from high net worth individuals when it comes to investment and money management. Here are four ways to invest like the wealthy and hopefully get richer in the process: 1.…

Despite hundreds of thousands of older Americans taking out reverse mortgages and surveys showing that these retirees are happy with the results, some people still have a strong distaste for them. In nearly every case, if you dig a little deeper, much of the hatred for reverse mortgages comes from misunderstanding or lack of knowledge…

More than half of all Americans worry they won’t have enough money during retirement, but women are more at risk of this than men. More than half (52.6%) of women age 65 and older are considered “economically vulnerable” compared to 41.9% of men in the same age group, according to the Economic Policy Institute’s 2013…

New research shows that the reverse mortgage will become an essential must-have tool for retirees. The reality is that many Americans have saved very little for retirement, which will require them to tap the biggest asset: their home. The good news is that seniors in the United States enjoy the highest rates of homeownership, with…

Have you been considering a reverse mortgage loan, but you’re not quite sure if it’s the right fit for you? Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are insured by the Federal Housing Administration and allow qualified homeowners to borrow against the equity they’ve built up in their homes in the form of a non-recourse loan. The…

When you picture retirement living, if your mind immediately goes to golf courses, bingo night, or water aerobics, think again: the future of retirement living is changing. Retirement Living Is Changing Rather than more traditional golf-based retirement communities, affinity communities and other nontraditional living arrangements are becoming more popular, especially among the extremely diverse Baby…

As you know, some seniors turn to reverse mortgages as a way to fund retirement, free up monthly cash-flow, or buy a new home. But reverse mortgages also come with pros and cons such as ongoing responsibilities of homeownership, upfront costs, or the drawing down of home equity over time that leaves less inheritance for…

Housing prices are on the upswing, and if you’re considering a reverse mortgage, that’s great news for you. The housing crash did a number on many homeowners. But that lost equity is being regained across the country as home prices trend upward. By the end of last year, home prices nationwide were 20% above 2011’s…

When it comes to older adults and homeownership, there’s good news and bad news, suggests a new federal report that shines a light on a growing debt problem. The good news is that the 65+ demographic has the highest homeownership rate in the United States of any age group. The bad news: more and more…

Imagine this: Bill, a 65-year-old man, has been getting ready to go on a big swim. He’s not completely sure how long this swim is going to last—although he has an approximate distance in mind—but he’s been preparing for it for decades. But without knowing exactly how long this swim will be, Bill isn’t sure…

When you’re planning for retirement, you’re often trying to determine the best mix of investments for your retirement portfolio. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and your planning process has to take into account your own particular situation and needs. One potential investment you may want to consider is a lifetime annuity, and there are a few…

Have you recently retired without a comprehensive financial plan to take you through the coming years? It’s not too late to make one. A December 2013 survey from Fidelity found that more than half of Americans are at risk of not covering their essential expenses in retirement. PwC reported similar findings on its 2013 survey…

Many people have a countdown to the official retirement age of 65 — or whatever age you might be targeting.  However, many of us are looking for ways to retire even earlier.  Here are a few good ways to reduce your spending in such a way that you can knock a few years off your…

Are you one of the millions of Americans approaching retirement and are thinking of moving to a top retirement destination? Whether you are seeking golf, an oceanfront locale or an urban environment with accessible amenities, there are many cities and towns nationwide that are increasing in appeal among retirees. Each year, TopRetirements.com compiles a list of the…

Today’s version of the saying “Strike while the iron’s hot” may apply to getting a reverse mortgage while interest rates are favorable, suggests new academic research recently published in the Journal of Financial Planning. You’ve probably seen commercials and other advertisements touting reverse mortgages, but what you may not realize is that there’s also brand…

If you’re approaching retirement age, you’re in good company—millions of boomers are right there with you. In the next few decades, one out of every five Americans will have reached or surpassed Social Security’s “full retirement age” of 65, according to the most recent U.S. Census data release. “Between 2012 and 2050, the United States…

Over the past few months, the federally-insured reverse mortgage program has seen a lot of changes—including the introduction of new, consumer-friendly loan products like the HECM MAX5. The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program allows borrowers age 62 and older to access the equity they’ve built up in their homes in the form of a non-recourse…

Interest rates have fallen and that means that most reverse mortgage borrowers now qualify for more money. (And, you pay less in interest.) Get a new estimate of your reverse mortgage loan amount right now! All the great benefits of the loans still apply: 1. You still own your home: A reverse mortgage is just…

If your mom and dad (or just one of your parents) are considering a reverse mortgage, chances are they let you know about it—and you probably have some questions of your own. Read on for a primer for adult children of prospective and current reverse mortgage borrowers. What is a reverse mortgage? Let’s start with…

A reverse mortgage can be a good way to supplement cash flow in retirement, or open a line of credit for unforeseen future expenses. But it’s not for everyone. Here are 5 reasons a reverse mortgage might not be right for you. 1. You are planning to move soon. While there is a fairly new…