Jun 23 What maxing out your Social Security benefits looks like in dollars By Laurence Kotlikoff Just how big a deal is maximizing your Social Security? It matters a lot when it comes to the dollars and cents of the lifetime benefits for which you'll be eligible. Larry Kotlikoff presents several cases, for individuals and couples,… Continue reading
Jun 20 Why no one should use brokerage accounts By Laurence Kotlikoff Every day brings new reports of financial fraud -- BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse, JP Morgan -- all of which is testimony to the large number of swindlers still at large “managing” our money, says Larry Kotlikoff. But he's here today… Continue reading
Jun 02 Your Social Security benefits depend on the specifics By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff says there is no general rule in trying to maximize your Social Security benefits. The precise amounts of what you and your current, ex-, or deceased spouse(s) earned and when you and they earned it… Continue reading
May 26 Why Social Security lowballs benefit estimates By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security's online calculators intentionally underestimate your benefits to encourage people to save more on their own, explains Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff. Continue reading
May 19 Protecting your spouse's Social Security when cancer cuts your time short By Laurence Kotlikoff Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff puts to rest a cancer patient's fears that he and his wife made a mistake by not having her file for spousal benefits as early as age 62 and explains how he can help leave… Continue reading
May 05 10 ways the class of 2014 can beat the economic odds By Laurence Kotlikoff It's a tough economy out there, particularly for college seniors about to graduate. Economist Larry Kotlikoff tells it like it is, arming graduates with a philosophy that will make their financial futures more secure. Continue reading
Mar 31 Make your standard of living the basis for all financial planning By Laurence Kotlikoff Unlike conventional financial planning methods, which force your standard of living to adjust each year to annual changes, Larry Kotlikoff explains how an economics approach protects your standard of living. Continue reading
Mar 24 Using economic magic to pull retirement money out of a hat By Laurence Kotlikoff Larry Kotlikoff demonstrates how to increase your standard of living for retirement -- in this case, by 15 percent -- by correctly timing your Social Security, 401(k) and Roth IRA withdrawals. Continue reading
Mar 20 Can you really live better longer without long-term care insurance? By Lewis Mandell Not all readers bought Lew Mandell's skepticism of long-term care insurance. Is it not a smart investment for Americans who can't afford to self-insure their future care? Mandell returns to explain when this investment makes sense and when it's a… Continue reading
Mar 12 The secret to improving health and productivity at work By Simone Pathe Staying physically active in the office is good for your health and your employer's insurance premiums. But new research suggests working out while you work is also good for your office productivity. Continue reading