“I have the right to take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better care of my relative.”

Adapted from A Caregiver’s Bill of Rights by Jo Horne and published in 1985 by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), this is the first entry in a list of rights focusing on caregivers’ needs. And it can be a hard pill to swallow for someone who has signed on to support the well-being of another. But before you can care for someone else, you have to take care of yourself. If you’re a caregiver, here are some noteworthy self-care tips that will get you to a place where you can best care for others. (more…)

When you hear the word “roommates,” thoughts about the days of being young and single may come to mind. However, more and more people, especially women, are finding the housemate option to be an attractive choice as they ease into retirement, taking into account financial reality and the resilience needed to live alone. In a home sharing arrangement, residents can split household chores, feel safer with more people around, and grow older at home without feeling isolated, according to research studies citing the advantages of friendship and social engagement.  (more…)

There are many ways for scammers to take advantage of everyday Americans, and for the most part, people are prepared to protect themselves against them. Most of us know not to wire funds to strangers or give our financial information out over the phone. We recognize how scammers work for the most part and take measures to protect ourselves. (more…)

The life insurance industry may soon be facing major changes to the way its agencies do business.

Two states, Nevada and New York, have recently passed legislation that requires more people in the financial services industry to put their clients’ best interests ahead of what’s most profitable to them. (more…)

For some older Americans, the "golden years" of retirement aren't necessarily very happy times. In fact, the rate of seniors facing bankruptcy has surged five-fold since 1991, according to a new research study from the Consumer Bankruptcy Project. This spike exceeds the demographic shift for the aging population. The report analyzed data across states from bankruptcy court records and written questionnaires, revealing that about 12.2 percent of annual bankruptcy filings are from households headed by seniors. (more…)

As a senior approaching retirement, you’ve probably been thinking about life away from work. You may envision a future filled with happy moments, spending more time with family and friends, or traveling or playing golf — and now is the time to develop a plan to help those dreams become reality. (more…)

Chances are, you recall how your parents helped and guided you as you grew up. Remember the critical discussions about responsibility, honesty, and compassion? Now, later in life, those roles have reversed. Now you’re the one offering support and guidance to your aging parents, and at least one conversation will likely revolve around money. (more…)

One of the best ways to stay financially healthy throughout your senior years leading into retirement involves retirement planning. The planning process should include assembling a group of qualified professionals dedicated to you--people who understand your financial situation and your long-term goals. Here are some of the experts you may want to add to your team. (more…)

One of the most challenging aspects of retirement planning is figuring out the extent of the financial resources you’ll need in order to live comfortably in retirement. Many people draw up a plan based on life expectancy—estimating how many years they’ll live after they retire. Yet those calculations may be incorrect because people are living longer today than ever before. (more…)

You’ve always set aside money to prepare for unexpected emergencies and have saved for your golden years. But will your nest egg last through retirement? According to a Retirement Income Literacy Survey conducted by the American College of Financial Services, the short answer is “no.” (more…)