2009 Best List: Retirement Resources
Here are the best web sites to visit before you retire and in retirement.
Retirement-Planning Tool
You don’t have to be a customer to use TD Ameritrade’s free WealthRuler tool to create your own retirement action plan. Estimate the future value of your retirement savings and get ideas on planning strategies and steps you can take to make up for any shortfall.
Social Security Estimates
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
In less than two minutes, you can calculate your future Social Security benefits based on your actual earnings records at www.Socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
Rate Your 401(k)
BrightScope rates your company 401(k) plan based on its investment choices and administrative costs, then compares it against similar plans. If you don’t see your employer listed, you can get your 401(k) plan rated for free by downloading publicly available documents.
Best Annuity Source
Find info on lifetime income. To provide income for life, more retirees are buying annuities. AnnuityShopper.com lists quotes for most of the top companies and shows how much you’d need to invest for a given stream of monthly income. You can also see how payouts compare for annuities that last for your lifetime only, your lifetime and that of a spouse, or for a certain number of years.
Best Reverse-Mortgage Tool
Squeeze cash from your home. Homeowners can calculate how much money they could get from a reverse mortgage in the form of a lump sum, monthly payment or line of credit at www.Goldengateway.com. The calculator also estimates the cost over the life of the loan.
Best State to Live in When You Retire
Low taxes make Delaware “first”. The First State is first-rate for tax-friendly treatment for retirees. There is no state sales tax, property taxes are generally low, and Social Security benefits are exempt from state income taxes. Plus, residents 60 and older can exclude up to $12,500 a year in retirement income and investment distributions from state taxes.
Best Place to Retire Abroad
If you have a sense of adventure, enjoy a tropical climate and want to stretch your dollars, consider retiring to Panama. You’ll pay no tax on your U.S. income (but you’ll still have to settle up with the IRS each year). If you buy a home, you’ll pay no property taxes for up to 20 years and can import up to $10,000 of household goods tax-free.
Best Retirement Pundit: Henry “Bud” Hebeler
There’s nothing slick or fancy about Hebeler’s Web site, but he will give you the unvarnished truth about how much you need to save and how much you can afford to spend in retirement. You can also e-mail Hebeler with personal questions.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
Retire Abroad Before 55: Eight Expert Tips
Can't afford early retirement in the U.S.? You really can retire abroad before 55 if you plan carefully. The strong dollar helps, but consider your long-term strategy.
By Jacob Schroeder Published
-
The Rule of $1,000: Is This Retirement Rule Right for You?
The rule of $1,000 a month can estimate how much you need to save for retirement. But it assumes an aggressive withdrawal rate.
By Adam Shell Published
-
457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2025
Retirement plans There are higher 457 plan contribution limits for state and local government workers in 2025 than in 2024.
By Kathryn Pomroy Last updated
-
Medicare Basics: 11 Things You Need to Know
Medicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
By Catherine Siskos Last updated
-
Six of the Worst Assets to Inherit
inheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
By David Rodeck Last updated
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2024 and 2025
SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $69,000 in 2024 and $70,000 in 2025..
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024 and 2025
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2024 and 2025
simple IRA The SIMPLE IRA contribution limit increased by $500 for 2025. Workers at small businesses can contribute up to $16,500 or $20,000 if 50 or over and $21,750 if 60-63.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
457 Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2025
retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2024 is increasing, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated