You’ve probably seen headlines promising “extra Social Security money this month” and assumed it was clickbait. Some of it is. But there are also legitimate, legal strategies that can result in meaningfully higher Social Security income — sometimes including a lump-sum back payment — if you take the right steps. This guide covers what’s real, … Read more
If you teach in a California K-12 public school, community college, or state educational agency, your retirement is managed by CalSTRS — the California State Teachers’ Retirement System. It’s the largest educator-only pension fund in the world, serving over 1 million members. Understanding how your CalSTRS benefit works isn’t something most teachers get taught. But … Read more
If you work for the federal government and were hired after January 1, 1984, you’re covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). It’s a three-part system — and all three parts have to be actively managed to produce the retirement income you’re counting on. Most federal employees focus on just one part and underutilize … Read more
Self-employed people and small business owners have access to one of the most powerful retirement savings tools available — and most of them don’t use it. A Simplified Employee Pension plan, or SEP-IRA, allows contributions of up to $70,000 per year (in 2026), is easy to set up, and requires almost no ongoing administration. If … Read more
If you work for a state, county, city, school district, or other public agency, you’re likely a member of a Public Employees Retirement System — commonly known as PERS. It’s a defined benefit pension program, which means your retirement income is calculated using a formula and paid for life, regardless of how financial markets perform. … Read more
Social Security retirement benefits will be one of the largest sources of income in your retirement — possibly the largest. For many Americans, it’s also one of the most misunderstood. The claiming decision you make — particularly when you claim — permanently determines your monthly benefit for the rest of your life. Get it right, … Read more
Moving to a senior living community is one of the biggest decisions an older adult — or their family — will ever make. A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), also called a Life Plan Community, is designed to eliminate the need to move again: it offers independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care all … Read more
Fidelity Investments manages more 401(k) assets than any other provider in the United States — over $3 trillion across millions of participant accounts. If your employer offers a 401(k), there’s a reasonable chance Fidelity is the administrator. That’s good news. Fidelity offers a strong platform, solid investment options, and competitive tools. But the platform only … Read more
If you work for the State of California, a California school district, or one of hundreds of local government agencies, your retirement is likely managed by CalPERS — the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. With over 2 million members and $500 billion in assets, it’s the largest public pension fund in the United States. Understanding … Read more
Most seniors don’t want to move to a nursing facility. Most families don’t want that either — at least not yet. In-home care is the practical middle ground: professional support that lets older adults stay in the home they know, surrounded by what’s familiar, while still getting the help they actually need. The challenge is … Read more