Insurance for Two Could Benefit Your Heirs

Survivorship life insurance offers a way to help a couple's heirs pay estate taxes, probate costs, and other final expenses — and could be especially important after 2012 when the federal estate tax is scheduled to be significantly higher. Even if the estate tax doesn't apply to an estate, the insurance proceeds could benefit heirs or a favorite charity.

Keeping Pace with Social Security

In 2012, Social Security beneficiaries will receive a 3.6% cost of living increase for the first time in three years. But a recent study suggests that benefits are lagging far behind real expenses. This article explains how Social Security benefits are indexed and what older workers and retirees might expect from the program in the future.

Earning Income from Mutual Funds

More than half of working Americans are concerned that they may not have enough money to live comfortably during retirement. Although mutual funds are often thought of as a tool to build savings, they can also be used to generate income. This article examines the potential income benefits of bond funds, equity or stock income funds, and hybrid funds.

Deciding When to Begin

Waiting until full retirement age (or up to age 70) to claim Social Security may result in significantly higher monthly benefits. At age 62, the earliest age to claim Social Security, the amount received could be only 70% of the benefit received at "full retirement age" (which ranges from age 65 to 67 depending on year of birth).

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Cost of Retirement

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Savings Accumulation

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Life Insurance (AXA version)

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Personal Inflation Rate

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