Latest articles by Mary Beth Franklin
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New Strategies to Ease Into a Secure Retirement
retirement New strategies to design the lifestyle you want and make sure you have the money to pay for it.
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What to Do When You're Not Quite Ready to Retire
retirement Some retirees will work by choice, while many will work out of necessity.
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How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
insurance A new generation of annuities are simpler and cheaper.
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Make the Most of Social Security
retirement Consider these moves to maximize your benefits.
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What If You Can't Pay Your Taxes?
taxes File your return on time anyway to minimize the penalties.
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Last-minute Tax Breaks for the Self-Employed and Moonlighters
taxes Buy new office equipment before year-end to qualify for extra tax breaks.
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The Gift Tax: Use It or Lose It
taxes Make people happy while you're still around to hear "thank you"...
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Empty Your Flexible Spending Account
Tax Breaks Cut next year’s taxes by signing up for a flexible spending account today.
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Tax Breaks for the Generous
taxes Whether donating cash, clothes or a car, don’t forget to get a receipt.
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Last Chance for Home Energy Tax Credit
taxes Go green and earn some green before year-end.
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New Rates for Social Security Benefits, Medicare Premiums in 2012
retirement The first increase for inflation since 2009 offsets a Medicare premium hike.
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Prepare for the Retirement Tax Bite
retirement When the time comes to tap your tax-deferred retirement accounts, Uncle Sam will be waiting for his share.
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AMT, the Tax We Love to Hate
Tax Breaks Millions of taxpayers will be snared by the alternative minimum tax in 2011. Find out if you’re one of them -- and what to do about it.
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Social Security Benefits to Rise 3.6% in 2012
retirement The first cost-of-living adjustment since 2009 could be offset by higher Medicare premiums.
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What Killed Pensions
retirement Corporate pensions went from holding $250 billion in excess funds to being underfunded.
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5 Steps to a Secure Retirement
retirement It’s time to size up your plan. You may be in better shape than you think.
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Pensions: Take a Lump Sum or Not?
Making Your Money Last New rules will mean smaller pension payouts next year. Get it right the first time. There are no do-overs.
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How to Fix Social Security
retirement Slaughtering sacred cows is essential to stabilize this cornerstone of retirement.
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How to Select a Financial Adviser
Financial Planning Selecting a financial adviser is like a job interview -- except you’re the one doing the hiring and the adviser is interviewing for the position of your chief financial officer.
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Financial Planning for the Middle Class
Financial Planning Where the middle-income crowd can get help they can afford.
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Insider Interview: IRS Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson
taxes Nina Olson isn’t a household name, but she referees disputes between taxpayers and the IRS and argues for tax reform.
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Max Out Your Social Security Benefits
retirement Few married couples realize that decisions about how and when each spouse claims benefits could make a difference of $50,000 or more over their lifetime.
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Too Young to Be Old
retirement A growing number of us are neither-nors -- neither ready to retire nor able to afford it.
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Brightscope: Mike and Ryan Alfred
retirement More than 72 million Americans save for retirement through 401(k) plans, but most of them don't know how much they are paying in fees, nor how high fees can diminish the value of their nest egg.
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