Credit ratings are an important measure of a person’s financial wellness. Think of them as a report card for your finances. Lenders review credit ratings to determine the risk associated with the requested loan. The higher your credit score is, the more likely it is you will repay your loan. As a result, individuals with…
Planning for retirement often focuses on things that happen before you retire. That’s perfectly fine if you still have several years to go. But as many people near retirement, focus shifts from accumulation to distribution, and practical questions, such as, how will my retirement money get to me? In what amounts? In what accounts? On…
As people and businesses start to emerge from the shadow of COVID-19 and its related economic fallout, we are constantly finding ways in which the business landscape has shifted. The coming year will continue to highlight the temporary and permanent changes to business as a result of the pandemic.
Fraudsters have become increasingly adept at getting cardholders to share information by posing as financial institution call center representatives, or sending text messages that look like they are coming from your institution, warning of suspicious activities. They are also phoning call centers posing as cardholders requesting changes to card information and account parameters. The fraudsters…
Financial elder abuse is when a relative, caregiver, stranger, or “friend” exploits an older person to deplete savings and assets that have taken years to accumulate. This type of abuse can severely affect an elder’s lifestyle. Elder abuse is accomplished by taking or misusing the property or resources of a vulnerable adult by means of undue…
Social Security benefits can be a boost to post-retirement income, but they can also be challenging to navigate. When and how you claim Social Security benefits can significantly change the amount you receive. Add to that the employment uncertainty that many people near retirement are feeling today and Social Security decisions can become quite complex.
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