Federal law requires that beginning on April 1 of the year after you reach age 70 1/2, you must begin withdrawing a minimum amount from your non-Roth individual retirement account (IRA) or 401(k) accounts. These withdrawals are called required minimum distributions (RMDs).

But what if you die after age 70 1/2...

Older Americans with a life insurance policy that they no longer need have the option to sell the policy to investors. These transactions, called "life settlements," can bring in needed cash, but are they a good idea? 
If your children are grown and your mortgage paid off, you may decide that there is...

President Trump has signed a spending bill that makes major changes to retirement plans. The new law is designed to provide more incentives to save for retirement, but it may require workers to rethink some of their planning. 
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act changes the law surrounding retirement plans in...

Raising a grandchild can be tough financially, but grandparents should be aware that there is a tax credit available that could help them. Working grandparents who are supporting their grandchildren may qualify for the earned income tax credit, which could reduce the amount they pay in taxes by thousands of dollars or...

Making sure your end-of-life wishes are followed no matter where you happen to be is important. If you move to a different state or split your time between one or more states, you should make sure your advance directive is valid in all the states you frequent.

An advance...

Prepaying for your funeral is one way to ease the burden on your family following your death and make sure your wishes are carried out. But pre-paid funeral plans come with risks, so you need to exercise care when purchasing a plan. 

Funerals are expensive and can take a...

Being appointed guardian of a loved one is a serious responsibility. As a guardian or a conservator, you are in charge of your loved one's well-being and you have a duty to act in his or her best interest.  

If an adult becomes mentally incapacitated and is incapable...

Married couples have a special way to jointly own property in some states including Massachusetts that has advantages over regular joint ownership. If you are married and own property jointly, you should make sure you have the right form of ownership. 

Joint tenants must have equal ownership interests in...

Inheriting property from your parents is either a blessing or a burden -- or a little bit of both. Figuring out what to do with the property can be overwhelming, so it is good to carefully think through all of your choices. 

There are three main options when you...

Social Security survivor's benefits provide a safety net to widows and widowers. But to get the most out of the benefit, you need to know the right time to claim. 

While you can claim survivor's benefits as early as age 60, if you claim benefits before your full retirement...