President Trump’s Victory Means Estate Planning Changes, Not That it Should Be Ignored With President Trump’s victory, and Republican control of the Senate and it appears likely the House too, it is unlikely that harsher estate taxes will be imposed on the wealthy in the next four years. Does that…

The Federal Reserve just cut interest rates for the second time this year, a move that was largely expected as inflation continues to drop. The Fed lowered rates by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.5% to 4.75%. The decision came on the heels of the lowest rise in…

The annual Open Enrollment Period ends December 7, just 30 days from now. Traditionally, fewer than 30% of drug plan enrollees pay attention to how their coverage will change in the new year. They’re happy with the plan and it’s just too much hassle. However, this year is not just…

Voters in Washington State have decided to keep the state’s first-in-the-nation public long term care insurance program. On Tuesday, they easily rejected a ballot initiative that would have killed the far-reaching law. The WA Cares law provides up to $36,500 in long-term care insurance benefits, with the amount increasing with…

Mortgage rates marched higher for the sixth straight week while purchase demand continues to decline in the stagnant housing market. Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, released Thursday, showed that the average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage surged to 6.79% from last week’s reading of 6.72%. The average…

Semi-retirement has significant advantages for your financial security, health, and enjoyment of life. It’s a powerful strategy to consider as you approach your retirement years, or even if you’ve recently retired. Let’s take a look. What Is Semi-Retirement? Semi-retirement is when you transition from full-time paid work to part-time paid…

In the famous 2022 Supreme Court Case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned the national law that an abortion was a private matter between a woman and doctor, the petitioners insisted that there is “no causal link between the availability of abortion and the capacity of women…

The author and his wife have enlisted the help of a free consultant to guide them until Medicare’s December 7th deadline. My wife and I have been covered by traditional Medicare since we each turned 65. In addition, we have had a secondary insurance plan that was heavily subsidized by…

A longtime industrial plant manager was eager to retire. He even had numbers written on his truck’s visor that no one, not even his wife, knew what they meant. It was his retirement date. He saved, planned, and dutifully attended all his company’s retirement readiness seminars. He was in the…

The IRS has announced that the amount of tax-favored funds that you can sock away for retirement is increasing. In 2025, the amount most individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans will tick up to $23,500—it was $23,000 for 2024. The announcement is tied to cost‑of‑living adjustments for pension plans…