Terry Savage | The Savage Truth on Money, Markets, and the Economy

Terry’s Columns

What's In Your IRA?

March 8, 2014
Is your IRA invested in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs? Or have you decided to spread your investment horizons a bit,…
New Health Insurance Deadline Looms

March 4, 2014
There’s another healthcare deadline looming this month. It’s the March 31st deadline for all Americans to…

Sixty-Five Incorporated

Seniors Websites

Everything you need to know about Medicare, signing up, supplements, rules, and more at this helpful site, including this calculator to help you determine when you can sign up for Medicare.
Consumer Federation of America

Insurance Websites

Don’t change policies or even buy a new one without using this independent service from the Consumer Federation of America.
Benefits Checkup

Retirement Websites

Do you know a senior who needs help paying for food or prescription drugs, or legal assistance. Start here to find programs that will help.

Government Thrift Savings Plan vs other investments at RMD time

Answered on March 8, 2014

I am 71 and a retired Federal Employee with a CSRS pension and I am still working as a consultant. I…
Travel Checks? or Credit Cards?

Answered on March 8, 2014

In light of hacking and credit card data theft, do businesses today take travelers checks? We’d like…
secure term choice fixed annuity from mb financial investments.

Answered on March 7, 2014

an mb financial rep recently recommended a fixed annuity called secure term choice fixed annuity II.

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Calculate Minimum Required Distributions

When you reach age 70-1/2 you must take minimum required withdrawals. Use this calculator at FINRA.org to get a rough idea how much you must withdraw based on year-end balances. (But talk with one of your IRA custodians to get the specific withdrawal amount, based on ALL your retirement account balances.)
Credit Card Balance Paydown Calculator

Bankrate’s Credit Card Debt Calculator lets you enter all balances, organize repayments to pay down debt faster with less interest.
How Much Money Do I Need to Retire?

Choosetosave.org is sponsored by the non-profit Employee Benefit Research Institute. Their “ballpark estimator” tool is the easiest way to see if you’re saving enough for your desired retirement.