For Mark Roberts' Use: Owning your own business is a dream come true for many, and it can be one way to get ahead in the world. However, there are also risks involved with business ownership, and many businesses fail each year. It makes sense for small business owners to plan carefully for retirement, because [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Paying off the mortgage and other debts before entering retirement was once a common goal, but weakening economic conditions and the housing crisis have made this much more difficult in recent years. Rising prices on everything from food to fuel have also also cut into household budgets, contributing to the burden [...]
For Mark Roberts' use: While it is always better to begin saving for retirement early in your career, rather than playing catch-up later, the reality is that many people have waited into their 40s or even 50s before thinking about retirement planning. Others may have saved faithfully for years, only to realize that their current [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Change is inevitable in all areas of life, and retirement is certainly no exception. Even the best plans can be subject to pitfalls, which is why it's important to review your retirement plan regularly to be sure it continues to fit your needs. Changes in the financial industry as well as [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: It's common knowledge that saving for retirement is extremely important, but figuring out how much money to save can be a daunting task. The actual amount needed for a comfortable retirement will vary from one person to another, depending upon several different factors. It's also important to consider the lifestyle and [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: The Great Recession ended in June 2009, but home prices have yet to rebound to their former levels. The combination of lower home prices and an increase in borrowing during the recession slashed home equity in the U.S. by more than 60 percent. Many homeowners have found themselves “underwater”, owing more [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: In recent years there have been numerous reports of the problems faced by Social Security. The aging Baby Boomer population, as well as increased life expectancy for all Americans, have put a strain on Social Security's budget. During election years the causes of the problem, as well as potential solutions, are often debated [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: As the US emerges from a rough recession and continues its rocky recovery, a new reality has emerged for many of the nation's seniors. Gone are the days of automatic retirement at age 65; many of today's seniors are facing vastly different economic conditions from the previous generation of retirees. In [...]