Even as far back as the pre-COVID-19 days, more than half of retired persons said they left the workforce earlier than planned, due either to unanticipated job loss or medical reasons.
No matter at which stage of life it occurs, divorce is one of the most difficult circumstances to negotiate. But especially for those who are nearing or in retirement, divorce can present some particularly difficult challenges, both emotional and financial.
Jude Boudreaux, CFP®, Senior Financial Planner at The Planning Center, was recently interviewed for a Forbes article discussing initial steps to assist new widows in managing their finances.
But how much do most really understand about the basics of estate planning and inheritance law? In this article, we’ll provide a brief summary of some of the more common estate plans and offer an overview of the responsibilities of an executor.
As newlyweds, you’re entering a beautiful new chapter of love, partnership, and—wait for it—shared bank accounts. Marriage is all about compromise, from deciding who gets the last slice of pizza to figuring out who’s responsible for paying the bills. And when it comes to money, it’s less about whose turn it is to buy dinner and more about aligning your financial goals. It could be splurging on a vacation or saving for the future.
Because losing a spouse is an emotionally tough time, managing financial tasks may feel almost impossible. In addition to consulting with your wealth advisor, ask for help from a trusted family member or close friend.
For various reasons, the divorce rate in the United States is falling—except for one important demographic: those 50 and older. Dissolution of marriages that have lasted for 30 or more years is, unfortunately, on the rise, having doubled since the 1990s, according to US Census Data.
Facing up to the reality of a failed marriage is one of the most difficult life passages anyone can be called to make. No matter who initiates the dissolution of a marriage, it is tough for everyone involved: emotionally, legally, socially, and financially.
While it is true that the overall rate of divorce in the US is falling, there is one segment of the population that is running counter to the trend: divorces in marriages that have lasted 30 years or more.
For most of us, contemplating the loss of a spouse or other loved one is the most difficult thing imaginable. In his classic book A Grief Observed, beloved writer C. S. Lewis offers this description of how the world can appear to someone grieving such a loss: “Her absence is like the sky: spread over everything.”
What can you do to prepare for making a mid-life career shift? While it’s probably not possible to completely eliminate all the unknowns and the stress that goes with them, there are some things you can do to take control in certain areas.
Andrew Sivertsen, CFP®, EA, CeFT®, Sr Financial Planner “On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.” Intellectually, we understand the truth
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