What should we do in a bear market? That’s the question we’ve been hearing a lot these last few days. Here are five ideas for things you can do right now to set yourself up for success in the days ahead.

Changes in how your credit score is calculated are coming this summer, and they may impact your access to different types of loans and the interest rate on those loans. Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) will introduce its FICO Score 10 Suite in the coming months for use by the three primary credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

So many people ask, “how much should I have saved for retirement?” Well, there are many retirement savings “rules of thumb” out there. In this article, we will share some of the common recommendations and even debunk a few.

NOTE: Be sure to read to the end where we share our real answer for the question of how much retirement savings you should have at age 30, 40, 50 and beyond. 

How to care for others by caring for yourself first financially

Ongoing changes to the structure of the typical American family unit have created a new designation known as the “sandwich generation.”

The sandwich generation is defined as those Americans who are simultaneously responsible for their own children and their aging parents. Across the country, these middle-aged adults are finding themselves increasingly compelled to manage a multi-generational extended family, effectively “sandwiched” between their children and elderly parents.

The upcoming holidays are a great time to share financial wellness tips with the young adults, grandchildren and young relatives in your life. As families gather, it is important to pass on stories and traditions. So why not the traditions of financial literacy as well? With accelerating college debt, the young people in your life may be most in need of guidance.

Here are some healthy financial practices to share this season:

“Retirement age” can mean different things to different people, as there are many things to consider when choosing your planned retirement age.

Well-conceived planning in the years before your actual retirement day can make a significant difference in the ultimate value of the assets available to you in retirement. Tax implications and the rules surrounding Social Security benefits make it important to be aware of key dates.

Here’s a look at factors that might help you choose the best planned retirement age for you.

What Should I Bring to My Meeting with a Financial Advisor?

We created this financial advisor meeting checklist to help you get ready to meet with your advisor. Some of these items may not apply to your particular situation. Simply use this financial advisor checklist of documents to guide you as you prepare. 

As you approach your retirement years, you probably have questions or concerns about how your retirement will look. Creating some certainty by reducing the number of potential surprises can go a long way toward alleviating those concerns.

Here are six things to consider before you retire:

As money scams proliferate, senior citizens are one of the most vulnerable populations. The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notes a four-fold increase in financial fraud reports in recent years. Suspicious financial activity that involves older Americans totaled $1.7 billion in 2017 alone, the bureau says.

Are you thinking about re-entering the workforce in your 60s? Even after making a carefully considered decision to retire? 

The reality is that you are not alone. An increasing number of baby boomers are shifting gears and reversing their decision to retire.

Consider the following from a New York Times article that compiled survey data on changes in American’s attitudes toward retirement:

• More than 25 percent of retirees later resumed working
• 40 percent of workers over age 65 had previously retired
• The number of people over age 65 who are employed either full-time or part-time has climbed from 12.8 percent in 2000 to 18.8 percent in 2016