Retirement as a formal idea and lifestyle is a relatively modern concept. For most of human history, people worked until they were physically unable and then relied on family or community support.

Retirement strategies take on added urgency the closer you get to leaving your job. Imagine your future by looking at the major factors: housing, activities, lifestyle, life expectancy, and unexpected events.

“Social Security is one of the most effective poverty-prevention programs in history. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it keeps nearly 29 million Americans from sliding into poverty each year,” BlackRock CEO Larry Fink wrote in his 2025 letter to investors.

It is common knowledge by now that if a person applies for their Social Security benefit after full retirement age (FRA), the benefit will include delayed retirement credits (DRCs) of 8% per year up to age 70.

In the early hours of February 28, global markets were shaken by significant geopolitical developments, as the U.S. and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Iran responded with missile strikes, which escalated tensions and raised uncertainty in global markets.

Woe to the taxpayer who runs afoul of the numerous and confusing IRA rules. There are forms to file, contributions to make, distributions to take, and penalties to avoid. While corrections are possible, it’s best to avoid mistakes in the first place. Here’s what you need to know.

Financial literacy allows you to use your financial skills to make informed decisions about money. It includes knowing how money works, managing it, and planning for both short-term needs and long-term goals.

Here’s how to get a jump-start on creating a system to organize your bills, statements, policies and other financial paperwork.

Tax reform usually promises a kinder, gentler, simpler tax code. For some folks—those who don’t itemize—the enlarged standard deduction that came with the 2017 revision of the tax code may have delivered.

Tax brackets and other charts 2025