Dear Liz: I’m 70, collecting Social Security since age 62 and still working. My ex-wife passed away a few years ago at 67. We were married for 25 years. I read that I could collect on her Social Security benefits as the survivor, but Social Security said no. What did I not understand about this? Answer: Many […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: What happens when your unmarried life partner dies without a will?
Dear Liz: A close friend recently lost her partner of many decades. The partner left no will or trust or anything in writing. The partner owned many properties and had a huge IRA and lots of money in the bank, but all in the partner’s name alone. My friend asked an estate lawyer and the lawyer […]
Q&A: Tax consequences of annuity conversion
Dear Liz: Several years ago my wife inherited an IRA when her mother died. Her banker suggested rolling the IRA into an annuity with an insurance company. That company is difficult to deal with and not forthcoming about how the annuity is invested. She wants to convert the IRA into a certificate of deposit so […]
A fall financial cleanse could get your spending back on track
If summer is a season of spontaneity and indulgence, then fall offers a counterpoint: It’s a chance to get back on schedule, and back on budget. “Summer, with travel and no school, tends to be a really spendy time. The fall is a nice reset,” says Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, a certified financial planner and author […]
This week’s money news
This week’s top story: 3 ways to reduce taxes on Social Security. In other news: How one driver cut her auto insurance costs by almost 40%, how to budget with a fluctuating income, and divorce after 60 and health benefits. 3 Ways to Reduce Taxes on Social Security There are a few ways to reduce that […]
Q&A: Getting a second financial opinion
Dear Liz: My wife and I recently retired. Our investments are managed by a certified financial planner. Our nest egg has not shown much growth over the last several years. We think it is time for another professional advisor to analyze our portfolio and see if we are really heading in the right direction. Is this […]