Rachel L. Sheedy

Latest articles by Rachel L. Sheedy

A Payout Limit on Social Security Benefits

social security Your spouse and children may discover they can’t claim all the Social Security benefits they’re entitled to based on your earnings record. Here’s why.

social security

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  When You Can Tap a 401(k) Early With No Penalty

  401(k)s Leave your job in the year you turn 55 or older, and Uncle Sam will cut you some slack on the early-withdrawal penalty.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 17 May 16

  401(k)s
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  Government Spells Out New Social Security Rules

  retirement The clock is ticking down on two popular claiming strategies. If you still qualify, you may need to act fast.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 30 April 16

  retirement
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  Insuring a Trip In Uncertain Times

  Travel Scour the fine print to make sure you understand what a travel insurance policy will cover before you buy.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 20 April 16

  Travel
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  New Rules for Social Security Create Confusion Over Claiming Strategies

  retirement Here's what to do if you are mistakenly told you can't use the “file and suspend” strategy or the “restricted application” strategy.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 16 March 16

  retirement
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  RMD Start Date and Your Heirs

  retirement Whether an IRA owner dies before or after the "required beginning date" determines beneficiaries' options for taking distributions.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 10 March 16

  retirement
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  Options Still Available for Couples to Boost Social Security Benefits

  social security Even as some popular strategies phase out, coordinating claims remains a critical move to maximize payouts.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 3 February 16

  social security
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  15 Deadlines Retirees Can't Afford to Miss in 2016

  Making Your Money Last Missing a deadline could be costly.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 5 January 16

  Making Your Money Last
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  Budget Deal Nixes Popular Social Security Claiming Strategies

  retirement Couples who want to maximize their benefits will lose some options -- and money.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 30 October 15

  retirement
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  Retiree Tax Bite Varies By State

  retirement Whether you plan to relocate to a new state or stay put, make sure you understand how retirement income is taxed and what breaks you might be entitled to.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 20 October 15

  retirement
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  Social Security Strategy: Boost Lifetime Payouts With the Spousal Benefit

  retirement The gap between spouses' benefit amounts is a key factor in determining which claiming strategies a couple should use.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 7 September 15

  retirement
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  Inheriting Millions in an IRA? There Are Surprisingly Good Reasons to Turn Down the Money

  retirement Disclaiming an inherited IRA, "the legal equivalent of playing dead," could save you taxes if you know the rules.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 12 August 15

  retirement
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  How to Manage Your Money If You Retire Abroad

  Making Your Money Last Don't let your financial life get lost in translation. Take these steps before you leave the U.S.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 12 June 15

  Making Your Money Last
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  Retirees, Buy Life Insurance to Help Your Heirs Pay Bills

  retirement Using required IRA distributions to buy life insurance can provide heirs a tax-free windfall, but the strategy isn't for everyone.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 14 May 15

  retirement
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  The Costly Danger of Putting Extra Money in Your IRA

  IRAs Uncle Sam will sock you with an annual penalty until you fix your mistake.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 15 April 15

  IRAs
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  Boosting the Lower Earner's Social Security Benefit

  social security If a couple regrets having the lower-earning spouse take a reduced benefit early, there are a few opportunities to increase the monthly payout.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 5 March 15

  social security
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  Reverse Mortgage Borrowers Face New Financial Test

  Making Your Money Last For the first time, borrowers will have to prove they can handle the ongoing property costs to qualify for a reverse mortgage.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 4 March 15

  Making Your Money Last
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  IRA Owners: Heed New 60-Day Rollover Rule

  IRAs No matter how many IRAs you own, you can now only do one 60-day rollover in a 12-month period.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 4 February 15

  IRAs
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  Public Pensions Sock Social Security Benefits

  retirement Qualify for Social Security and a public pension? Take note of these two provisions that slash Social Security benefits by hundreds of dollars a month.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 25 November 14

  retirement
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  6 Savvy Moves to Stretch Your Retirement Savings

  Making Your Money Last Starting a nest egg is pretty simple.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 30 October 14

  Making Your Money Last
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  New Path to a Tax-Free Roth Conversion

  Making Your Money Last After-tax contributions from a company retirement plan can now be split off and moved directly to a Roth IRA.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 29 October 14

  Making Your Money Last
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  Save Money on Your Money While Traveling Abroad

  Travel Trim the costs you pay when using plastic overseas and getting foreign currency.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 15 August 14

  Travel
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  Social Security Earnings Test Ensnares a Spouse

  retirement The test can decrease family members’ Social Security benefits based on your record.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 9 July 14

  retirement
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  10 Reasons You'll Never Retire

  retirement Retirement is the payoff at the end of a long career, the end game most workers are striving for.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 12 June 14

  retirement
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  Avoid This RMD Tax Trap

  taxes Follow the wrong set of calculation rules for IRA required minimum distributions and you could get socked with a big penalty.

  By Rachel L. Sheedy Published 30 May 14

  taxes