
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.
This strategy enables retirees to restrict their application to spousal benefits and allow their benefit to grow until they reach 70.
Want to have a fulfilling retirement? Employees are advised to set goals and have a bucket list of activities that will make them productive.
Employees who plan to retire next year should ensure they have enough savings to cover their healthcare expenses before making a decision.
There can be benefits in enrolling simultaneously, but there are also incentives to consider in waiting on Social Security instead of claiming benefits at 65 when Medicare kicks in.
Clients can often retire smoothly even during a downturn if they diversify and rebalance their portfolios properly, as well as pay off debts and maximize their Social Security benefits.
A widely held view is that a lot of spending is wasted on “heroic” measures at the end of life, but it’s difficult to know which patients are in their final year.
The new year is expected to be a turning point that will help more workers secure their retirement.
Millennials should start setting money aside early and consistently, but without depriving themselves.
One of the major provisions of proposed legislation would require 401(k) plans to offer annuities so participants could create new income streams.
Despite Social Security's financial woes, the revenue shortfall can be easily fixed, say experts at Boston College Center for Retirement Research. But it will only go so far in paying for living expenses.
Some people have a hard time getting their one-time pass code to log on to their My Social Security account.
Workers should urge their employers to offer this savings option in their 401(k) plans to save for emergency and unforeseen expenses.
The program could see benefit cuts and undergo significant changes in the future, and this poses a problem for seniors who depend on it for their main source of retirement income.
The holidays are fast approaching, which means it is time to start doing some year-end tax planning.
Millennials are already behind in savings compared to where their parents stood at similar ages.
Many of the bill’s provisions are taken from the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act, which enjoyed some bipartisan support.
This period allows seniors to be more strategic about generating income from their portfolio and minimizing taxes.
"Some analysts have argued for years that the SSA’s estimates systematically underestimate future benefits for most people," an expert says.
Social Security benefits will increase 2.8% next year, but some retirees will not see a rise in their retirement paycheck because of Medicare's hold-harmless provision.
Retirees could end up paying taxes on the majority of their Social Security benefits when certain conditions are met.