Watch Terry discuss the Equifax Credit Breach on WTTW-TV (PBS) Chicago on Tuesday, Sept 19 at 7pm. Read More
Watch Terry discuss the Equifax Credit Breach on WTTW-TV (PBS) Chicago on Tuesday, Sept 19 at 7pm. Read More
click here for column archives on The Huffington Post
October 18, 2017
There will be another bear market. You can count on it. You just can’t know when it will start, or from what level. The other thing you can count on is that it will have a huge impact on your investments — and on your retirement plans.
October 15, 2017
Have you made plans for your pets in case you die before they do? Sadly, there are too many dogs and cats in shelters because their owners died and made no provisions for their care. This is not just a topic for the elderly to think about. Young singles with pets could face the same predicament.
September 26, 2017
October 1st is the first day you can file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the school year 2018-2019 – to access more than $120 billion of Federal student aid, including work/study programs, grants, and scholarships. Don't procrastinate!
September 26, 2017
If you have a life policy that is intended to build cash value over time, and you haven’t had an insurance checkup in the past few years, it’s time to find out whether your policy will last as long as your life.
September 9, 2017
Equifax knows you – even if you don’t know them. They are one of the three large credit bureaus that collect information on all your financial transactions. And now they've suffered a data breach that could affect nearly every adult American. What should you know; what should you do?
September 2, 2017
There’s no way to measure the pain and anguish Hurricane Harvey inflicted on Houston area residents, many of whom were uninsured, and many of whom lost a lifetime of memories that can’t be replaced by the insurance they have. But Harvey will also make a big dent in economic growth for the entire country and could spark a round of inflation. The picture isn’t pretty.
August 23, 2017
More women spend more time living alone. And that’s having a big impact on retirement planning.
August 15, 2017
Target date funds slowly reduce equity (stock) exposure as a worker reaches retirement age. It’s called a “glide path.” Still, most target date funds leave people highly invested in stocks — and exposed to stock market risk — in the years approaching retirement. But now some experts argue that stock exposure should be reduced far more sharply in the years before and after entering retirement -- especially in light of the recent bull market in stocks.
August 8, 2017
The world of financial apps and platforms has grown more creative and clever as a generation that lives without paper gravitates toward digital financial control. Here are three worth reviewing.
August 1, 2017
All the rational financial discussions in the world won’t get you to your goals if you don’t understand the role your emotions play when it comes to money.
The current correction-less period of 17.2 months is by far the longest in this market cycle, which has actually seen 14 declines of greater than 5 percent since this bull market started in 2009
July 17, 2017
Americans owe more than $1.34 trillion on student loans — more than credit card debt or car loan debt. Yet it seems that many student loan borrowers are woefully uneducated about how to repay that debt. In fact, far too many fall victim to student loan debt repayment scams.
July 11, 2017
The lazy days of summer are not conducive to taking on money projects. But here are five things you could do this summer to improve your financial future.
July 4, 2017
Gold once made headlines as a safe haven in uncertain times. Now it is considered mostly a trading commodity, a portfolio diversification or a refuge for doomsayers. In fact, gold is so out of fashion that it might be time to take another look at the gold market.
June 28, 2017
What if you could eliminate the middleman — the state promise — and go directly to the best institutions to get a guaranteed prepayment of tuition at any of them, knowing that no matter how high tuition costs rise, you have purchased future tuition at today’s prices? That’s the premise of the Private College 529 prepaid tuition plan. Nearly 300 colleges have joined together to participate in this program.
June 20, 2017
How long should you keep financial papers and records? If you’re overwhelmed with stuff, it’s important to be organized and thoughtful, so you don’t throw out important papers that might one day help you prove you don’t owe taxes.
June 13, 2017
Many investors want to have a personal relationship with a financial adviser, a personal touch. But what IS good advice -- and how much should you pay for it?
June 6, 2017
The Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule is going into effect despite the efforts of financial firms to block it. In fact, Wall Street has found a way to profit from the new rules big time at the expense of vulnerable American investors.
May 30, 2017
I have long been a fan of reverse mortgages — if they are done in the right circumstances and for the right reasons. Regular readers of this column know I always put my money where my mouth is. And in the case of reverse mortgages, I want to give you a very personal example.
May 17, 2017
As the market reaches all-time highs again and again, the value of your stocks might have started to overwhelm your appropriate asset allocation — especially if you’re nearing retirement and soon will need to start making required annual withdrawals.
May 16, 2017
Planning your estate does not require you to have a lot of assets. But protecting your family’s future — your home equity and your family’s ability to maintain their lifestyle in your absence — requires you to take some simple steps now to avoid the long and costly court procedure called probate.
May 9, 2017
The decision you make about when to take Social Security benefits can have a huge impact on your retirement plans and your lifetime income.
May 2, 2017
Will we leave a giant puzzle for our loved ones and heirs to figure out? Will they be able, and legally empowered, to handle the assets we leave behind? How can we smooth the way to making this transition a bit less painful? If you’re willing to have that conversation now, you’ll make things much easier at a tough time in the future.
April 23, 2017
Millions of Americans are expecting to receive a pension from the city or state that employs them. Many will be in for a terrible surprise, according to the nonprofit organization Truth in Accounting.
April 17, 2017
Exchange-traded funds are far outpacing traditional mutual funds in gathering assets. Last year, more than $280 billion of new investor money flowed into ETFs, a record.
April 11, 2017
In the past few years, the costs and regulations around health insurance have become inextricably entwined with federal income taxes. Leaving all the political debate aside, the Affordable Care Act impacts the tax returns of millions of Americans.
March 29, 2017
If you aren’t careful about the timing of your Medicare enrollment, you could make a very costly mistake – one that will cost you for the rest of your life.
March 22, 2017
College acceptance letters are arriving now – and with them the financial aid offers that can make or break a college dream.
March 16, 2017
In the past few decades America has come to realize that we can’t pay for everything — even by going into debt. And it has taken us $20 trillion-plus in debt to reach that conclusion.
March 13, 2017
The investment industry is in the midst of a price war that will cut costs for everyone from individual investors to sophisticated hedge fund participants. That’s great news for investors.
March 6, 2017
You would think Americans had learned their lesson about borrowing, but debt levels are creeping up again. If — and when — the next recession occurs, the consequences could be even more devastating than the last go-round.
March 1, 2017
Americans now owe more on student loan debt than on credit card debt. And they’re getting smarter about dealing with that debt to save a fortune in interest over the life of the loan.
February 22, 2017
The Fiduciary Rule won't go into effect in April as scheduled. That opens the door for high-pressure salespeople to peddle inappropriate and cost-heavy products that could devastate your retirement account as you roll that hard-earned money from a company plan into an IRA.
February 15, 2017
If you think your finances are safer now that you use a chip card, think again. The latest Javelin Identity Fraud Study reports the number of identity fraud victims increased by 16 percent in 2016 to more than 15 million consumers.
February 11, 2017
If you consider your dog or cat to be a member of the family, you are not a pet owner. You are a “pet parent.” And that can expose you to some very expensive medical bills.
January 30, 2017
Football is a big-money game, and its highest-stakes event, the Super Bowl, is about to take center stage. The winning athletes will earn an extra fortune --but the "jock tax" means that NFL players typically must file returns in 10 to 12 taxing jurisdictions, including local cities. There are some tax lessons here for all of us.
January 24, 2017
If the very word “FinTech” makes you flinch, you may be a baby boomer who has sworn off most “modern” money technologies. You’re not alone.
January 17, 2017
Someone is going to get your money when you die. Do you know who that will be? What a shame if the money you worked so hard to accumulate over a lifetime were to go to the tax collector, or your ex-spouse, or a relative you haven’t spoken to in years.
January 10, 2017
While economists and stock gurus spend this month making forecasts, ordinary investors are faced with the challenge of figuring out how to allocate their 40l(k), IRA, and other retirement accounts. To do that well, you don’t need a crystal ball to forecast either economic growth or market results. What you do need is . . .
For millions of union workers, part of the attraction of paying union dues over a lifetime of work was the promise of a lifetime a pension. Now, as a result of years of mismanagement, bad investments, or bad assumptions on returns, some funds are running out of money to keep their pension promises to union workers.
December 27, 2016
Resolutions made at this time of year tend to have lofty goals: lose weight, stop smoking, get out of debt. And while these goals are certainly worthy, it’s an old Savage Truth that a goal without a plan is just a dream!
December 19, 2016
Making a budget is likely at the bottom of your “to do” list at this time of year, but when is a better time to do it? Now you can look back at all of your spending — and overspending. And it’s the perfect time to plan for the year ahead. Here are three easy ways to make that happen.
December 8, 2016
An entire generation has graduated into debt that may not be easy to repay. And if you graduated last Spring, now is the time you must start the repayment process.
A bank is granting free money to help you with a down payment on a house! It sounds too good to be true, but it actually is true. Here are the details.
There’s a little-known “quirk” in the Affordable Care Act that allows small businesses a chance to offer employees – even if as few as one employee enrolls – a job –based plan that is equivalent to the best deals offered by major insurers.
The best gift of all is a good education. So consider opening a 529 College Savings plan account for your children or grandchildren.
Every year at this time I give some suggestions for holiday presents that have real financial meaning for your children and grandchildren.
November 1, 2016
It's time to make choices about plans offered under the Affordable Care Act, known as ACA or Obamacare.
As the election draws near, many people are wondering about the impact on their investment portfolios.
It’s time for your annual drug test. And ignoring it could be very costly.
October 3, 2016
What would you do if you looked at your quarterly statement and the stocks in your account were gone — simply gone?
October 10, 2016
The silence about the economy in this political season is deafening.
September 20, 2016
Imagine being a senior citizen, living on Social Security and perhaps a small fixed pension, and trying to deal with the rising costs of living. Or imagine being a disabled person with no hope of earning additional money to make ends meet.
September 14, 2016
There’s a big change coming in FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. And if you miss out on the new, earlier deadline, you just might miss out on a lot of money!
August 23, 2016
Will you receive your Social Security check? It’s a question that’s about to divide generations and confront politicians.
September 12, 2016
The Federal Reserve Board has been threatening to raise interest rates for almost two years. And now it really seems poised to take the second rate hike step of the past 10 years.
CampaignforInvestors.org
Financial Planning & Organization Websites
Need help finding a trusted financial planner? Help knowing what questions to ask? And asking how much you’ll be paying? This website is the perfect place to start your search.
SmartCheck.gov: A new site that lets you investigate before you invest.
This new government website allows you to check the background of brokers, advisors, commodity advisors, and even insurance salespeople.
Medicaid LTC: What Assets Will Your State Let “Well Spouse” Keep?
When your spouse needs “custodial” care, Medicaid may step in to pay — depending on your assets and income. But the “community spouse” does not have to give up the family home or all assets and income. Each state sets its own income and asset limits. Check this site to get details for your state.
Answered on October 18, 2017
my son took out a gov. student loan quite a few years ago. maybe 3 or 4. I wasn’t aware of it at the…
Answered on October 17, 2017
I am a retired conservative and by choice passive investor. On your recommendation I have…
Answered on October 17, 2017
print Personal Financial Organizer Form…
Answered on October 16, 2017
My husband and I are looking for a credit card that will earn miles for airline travel. Which one is…
Answered on October 16, 2017
I make much more money than my ex-husband and I am the account owner of my daughters 529 plan. My ex…
Freeze Your Credit Report
The Equifax data breach is massive. Personal information on almost every adult in America is now “in play.” If you’re not planning to get a mortgage, refi, buy a car, purchase life insurance, or apply for a new job — all situations in which your credit report might be legitimately accessed — play it smart and FREEZE your credit. It will cost a small amount to freeze, and unfreeze. But it could keep someone from opening new credit in your name, using the stolen information. Contact each Credit Bureau directly.
Equifax: 800-349-9960
https://www.freeze.equifax.com
Experian: 888-397-3742
https://www.experian.com/freeze
TransUnion: 888-909-8872
Reverse Mortgage Calculator
How much money could you get in a tax-free lump sum, or monthly payments? It depends on your age, location, value of your home, and any current mortgage balance. Use this calculator to figure it out. And learn more at ReverseMortgage.org.
LongevityIllustrator.org
How long will you live? Financial planning would be easier if you knew! This website created by the Society of Actuaries will help you figure it out and plan appropriately.
Income limits for Roth IRAs, contribution limits for all IRAs — it’s all here!
choosetosave.org
Find your Savage Number!
livingto100.com
What is your life expectancy?
FDIC.gov
Find your insurance limits.
IRAHelp.com
IRA questions answered!
Terry Savage is a nationally known expert on personal finance, the markets, and the economy. Read more about Terry