Virtually everyone would choose to make more money if given the opportunity, but choices that impact your lifetime income potential are rarely that clear-cut. A variety of factors influence the amount of money a person makes, and the choices they make throughout their lifetime help to dictate their ability to earn money. Taking a hard look at your lifetime income potential can help you make more money in the long term, allowing you to financially support your lifestyle and retire in comfort.

As people get older, many must begin to rely more upon their children for care and support. Even the most independent retirees often chat with their kids to discuss finances, medical concerns, and housing plans for their golden years. Some people wait until they experience an accident or health scare to share their plans with loved ones, while others put off these conversations until it is too late.

People with aging parents (or retirees with adult children) should be proactive about discussing these difficult topics and life decisions. If you are an adult with aging parents, consider sitting down with them to discuss retirement planning, estate planning, and their wishes regarding housing and end-of-life care. 

One of the key needs that people have is to be autonomous. In other words, it’s human nature to want to feel independent and in control. 

For those near or in retirement, financial independence is especially important. You need to have the resources to live comfortably and securely without a regular paycheck. You also need to protect those resources. 

That requires putting systems and safeguards in place. To remain financially independent and in control, tackle these tasks sooner rather than later.

When you retire, do you plan on doing one or more of the following?

• Travel the world and explore exotic locales
• Spoil your grandchildren
• Relax in your beach house or mountain cabin
• Live comfortably until you pass away

Internally, we all have big dreams for that day when we finally step down from our job and step into a life of leisure in our golden years.

Retiring is an exciting time in your life, but it can also be the scariest. Suddenly you are without an income and must be self-sufficient. Getting yourself to that point is the key to success. You must plan carefully and know what you need before you retire. 

Here are the tops dos and don’ts of retirement to help you make the most of your golden years. 

When you land your first job, it's important to learn how to manage your income. Now is the perfect time to establish healthy spending and saving habits. Read on for tips to manage your finances with your new paycheck.

The millennial generation has grown up in an era dominated by rapid changes in the economy. In recent decades, the responsibility of saving and investing has been largely delegated to individuals, as opposed to previous generations where this was mainly the role of governments and employers. Improved standards of living have also translated to increased life expectancies among millennials. The implication of this is that young people today have to make sound financial decisions to achieve financial security in retirement.

Many people have very strong opinions on reverse mortgage loans. Frequently, those opinions are based on misconceptions about what reverse mortgages are and how they work. One such fallacy that continues to live on is that reverse mortgages are just a loan of last resort—something that’s only for cash-strapped homeowners to utilize when all other viable solutions have been exhausted. 

In a recent New York Times article titled Reverse Mortgages Are No Longer Just for Homeowners Short on Cash, the author writes: “It was conventional wisdom that a reverse mortgage was a last-resort option for the oldest homeowners who desperately needed cash. But a growing number of researchers say these loans could be a good option for people earlier in their retirement […] who are not needy at all.”

What is an annuity?

An annuity is a financial product that provides regular and guaranteed payments to an individual, typically for a period of time after retirement. Annuities are often used as a retirement planning tool, as they can provide a guaranteed stream of income for life. This can be especially helpful for those worried about outliving their savings. 

Finances for Your Aging Parents: What to Expect and How to Prepare

It's not always easy to think about your parents getting older and more dependent on you. When it comes to their finances, what do you need to know? What are the most important things for aging parents to consider when it comes to their finances? 

This article will cover what you need to know about planning for your elderly parent's financial needs in retirement so that they can maintain some level of independence.