Living on a $2-Million Nest Egg
Sparkling Future
Annual income: $130,000
$30,000 from Social Security
$20,000 from a pension
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$80,000 from personal savings
Expenses: As your income rises, so does your tax bill. Most of your Social Security benefits—which are tax-free for lower-income retirees—and all of your income from retirement accounts (other than Roth IRAs) will be taxed at your regular rate. But you will still have plenty of cash to buy a new car, give to charity or help your grandchildren pay for college.
Lifestyle: You might want to trade in your big house for two condos—one in a warm-weather destination. You shouldn’t have to worry about running out of money, even with a 50% chance that one of you will live to 92 or beyond. Take advantage of the market downturn to gift more stock to family members while reducing the size of your taxable estate. Pay attention to estate-tax changes and adjust your plans.
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Stocks Chop as the Unemployment Rate Jumps: Stock Market TodayNovember job growth was stronger than expected, but sharp losses in October and a rising unemployment rate are worrying market participants.
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Should You Renew Your CD?With rate cuts impacting earnings, we examine if now is a wise time to renew CDs.
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7 Ways to Plan Now to Save on Medicare IRMAA Surcharges LaterUnderstand the critical two-year lookback period and why aggressive planning before you enroll in Medicare is the most effective way to minimize IRMAA.
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What Does Medicare Not Cover? Eight Things You Should KnowMedicare Part A and Part B leave gaps in your healthcare coverage. But Medicare Advantage has problems, too.
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15 Reasons You'll Regret an RV in RetirementMaking Your Money Last Here's why you might regret an RV in retirement. RV-savvy retirees talk about the downsides of spending retirement in a motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel, or other recreational vehicle.
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457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2026Retirement plans There are higher 457 plan contribution limits in 2026. That's good news for state and local government employees.
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Estate Planning Checklist: 13 Smart Movesretirement Follow this estate planning checklist for you (and your heirs) to hold on to more of your hard-earned money.
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Medicare Basics: 12 Things You Need to KnowMedicare 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.
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The Seven Worst Assets to Leave Your Kids or Grandkidsinheritance 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.
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SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2026SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $70,000 in 2025, and up to $72,000 in 2026.
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Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to save for retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2026 limits and income-based phaseouts.
