Despite all the public discussion about health care, very few people under the age of 65 understand the basics of Medicare, the federal health program for seniors and certain disabled individuals, or Medigap, the supplemental private coverage many buy to cover treatment that shortfalls what the federal... 

It was Benjamin Franklin who once said, “The man who achieves makes many mistakes, but he never makes the biggest mistake of all – doing nothing.” As the nation continues to work its way out of recession and investors begin to take stock of what looks like a lost decade in their portfolios,... 

The number of reverse mortgages backed by the government jumped nearly 20 percent in March and April alone from the same period in 2008. At a time when seniors have seen their retirement assets depleted by market losses, tapping home equity has been a safety net.  But it can be a risky one.  If your... 

The death of a loved one is a paralyzing event. Many survivors find it difficult, if not impossible to start dealing with the financial afterlife of a spouse even if they’ve planned extraordinarily well. Consider then, the one single element that can turn this difficult process into a lengthy nightmare... 

The unpredictability of the markets and the economy has reset plenty of retirement plans, and that’s been especially true for business owners.  Business owners on the brink of retirement are facing potentially the worst conditions for selling or handing off a business in decades. But their circumstance... 

The weather’s great, so staying inside with your finances probably doesn’t sound like a very entertaining option. But a midyear review of your tax situation, retirement and spending issues can be far more valuable than the rushed attempt most people make at the end of the year-or when it’s... 

The adjustment to the loss of a loved one is hard enough without the inevitable workload of settling their affairs. Even if they don’t have much in the way of assets, the process takes time – typically up to a year. It makes sense to get advice from tax, estate and financial planning experts... 

The biggest benefit from the $787.2 billion federal stimulus package will hopefully be a noticeable improvement in the nation’s economy. But on an individual level, it’s wise to check if you might be eligible for benefits in health care, education, various tax credits and housing. A visit... 

The Obama Administration has indicated its plans to block the estate tax from disappearing in 2010, though to offer a bit of relief, it might freeze it at the rate and exemption levels that took place this year. That would mean that estates worth up to $3.5 million for individuals and up to $7 million... 

It’s a few short weeks until cap and gown season begins, and for grandparents hoping to do something nice for their grandkids and something sensible for their estate, there are several options to explore. Roth IRAs: The Roth option is a good one if you want to help them start a retirement fund...