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How military spouses hold down the home front
Tess Vigeland May 25, 2012
Military families have some unique financial challenges compared to civilians. But citizens can learn a thing or two from the foresight these families apply to their finances.
Why early retirement may not be good for your health
Stephen Dubner May 17, 2012
Freakonomics Radio explores the hidden side of early retirement.
A startling health-care bill
Chris Farrell May 9, 2012
The mutual fund giant Fidelity calculates that a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2012 will need around $240,000 to cover medical expenses through their retirement. Ouch!
Unforeseen retirement expenses
Chris Farrell May 7, 2012
When estimating expenses in retirement, it's good to think about family and friends, as well as the mortgage, utilities, food, clothes, and other financial-planning staples.
Are Americans confident in their economic futures?
Frank Newport Apr 26, 2012
Gallup's latest surveys asked how Americans were feeling about their personal finances, and whether they think they'll be able to retire comfortably.
Experiment before picking up stakes
Chris Farrell Apr 17, 2012
I'll be retiring in a few months and my husband is already retired. We are thinking of selling our home in Florida and moving to California to be closer to our children and grandchildren, who live in Los Angeles. Another option might be to keep the house in Florida, buy an RV and camp out in an RV park in California until we wear out our welcome. What are some of the pitfalls that we should try to avoid? Nancy, Milton, FL
Learning about reverse mortgages
Chris Farrell Apr 12, 2012
It's worth learning about reverse mortgages. The homeowner gets access to their home equity without moving.
Funding an IRA when retired
Chris Farrell Apr 11, 2012
My wife and I just retired last June. She just turned 60 and I will turn 59 soon. We own our home and cars, we have no credit card debt and our savings (not including retirement accounts) is almost $100,000. Our kids both finished college without accruing debt (thank you very much!). As I completed our taxes this spring, the amount owed is almost $2,400. If we open an IRA for $8,000, the amount owed drops to under $1,200. Does it make sense for us, at this point in our lives, to invest in the IRA for the tax savings? Part of me says it is a no-brainer; the other part says that investing in an IRA when you are already retired doesn't pass the common sense test. What do you think? Mike, Blue Earth, MN
Baby Boomers choosing to retire earlier
Jeremy Hobson Apr 9, 2012
There was one tiny bright spot to March's unemployment report: 164,000 fewer people were looking for work. One particular demographic that has dropped out of the search -- Baby Boomers who are choosing to retire prematurely.
Retirement and working longer
Chris Farrell Mar 29, 2012
"A steadily growing portion of the workforce will continue to work at least part-time well beyond the 'normal' retirement age of 65," says a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation.
