
Lee Conrad
Former senior editorLee Conrad is a former senior editor of Employee Benefit News and Employee Benefit Adviser, and a former editor of Bank Investment Consultant.

Lee Conrad is a former senior editor of Employee Benefit News and Employee Benefit Adviser, and a former editor of Bank Investment Consultant.
A study notes that retirees might be experiencing the “Homer Simpson” mindset, in which they choose immediate gratification without thinking about the long-term consequences.
Among current retirees, the numbers aren't much better: 60% of them have not calculated how much health care costs impact their savings.
Lawmakers are looking to pass the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2018, which will allow workers to save more while encouraging employers to offer more retirement savings options.
Cost of living is a key consideration, but a retiree’s goals and objectives are also important.
While proceeds from life insurance are not subject to income tax, there are other taxes that will apply. But there are steps to take to avoid those liabilities too.
These property tax deferral programs are available to older homeowners who want to postpone real estate taxes provided they remain living in their home.
Most people, particularly younger clients, worry that they will not be able to get their Social Security benefits by the time they retire.
Plan design features like automatic enrollment and automatic increases are having a positive impact. Such steps are designed to increase participation even from people who may be suffering from inertia, says a researcher.
Millennials and other younger clients would see their Social Security benefits decrease 21% once the program runs out of funds by 2034.
Many single baby boomers opt to stay put in retirement because they have no children who would advise them to move to an assisted living or continuous care community.
When the financial clouds are gathering, your clients have preparations to make. Top of the list: reduce risk.
Seniors are likely to be in a lower tax bracket in the few years after retirement, creating a "sweet spot" for them to convert some of their traditional 401(k) or traditional IRA assets into a Roth account.
From a tax perspective, cashing out an old 401(k) plan can be a wrong move, as this option will trigger income taxes plus penalty
Recent studies suggest that although many Americans have boosted their retirement savings, many people remain worried about their future prospects
One particular lifestyle choice can have real-world consequences for your client's retirement portfolio.
Up to 85% of retirement benefits might be taxed if their combined income exceeds a certain threshold.
Divorced women are more financially prepared for retirement than their single, never-married counterparts because they are more likely to secure their marital home after the separation.
Although volatile markets mean opportunities for some investors, most clients will be better off ignoring market corrections if they are investing for the long term.
More than one third of the respondents (37%) save for emergency purposes, while 30% save to secure their retirement. See the reason that tops the list.
Congress is considering seven bills, which if passed, would help Americans improve their retirement prospects.