Retirement & Income
Five estate planning documents every American 65+ needs on file in 2026
The five estate planning documents every American 65+ should have on file in 2026 — plus the one most people skip — explained in plain English with sources.
I bonds, TIPS, and CDs in 2026: which one belongs in your cash reserve
I bonds pay 4.26%, 10-year TIPS yield 2.17% real, and top CDs hit 4% in May 2026. Which one fits your retirement cash? A plain-English comparison.
Reverse mortgages in 2026: when an HECM actually makes sense
The 2026 HECM cap rose to $1,249,125. Here's an honest look at reverse mortgage costs, CFPB warnings, and four conditions that make one sensible.
Spending down your 401(k), IRA, and brokerage: the tax-smart order
The textbook order (taxable first, Roth last) can quietly raise your lifetime tax bill. Here's how retirees should actually sequence withdrawals in 2026.
Annuities for retirees in 2026: three uses that work, pitches to skip
Most annuities sold to retirees are a bad fit. Here are the three situations where a SPIA, QLAC, or fixed annuity actually earns its keep in 2026.
Downsizing your home after 65: tax rules that change the answer in 2026
The $250,000 and $500,000 home sale exclusion still controls most retiree downsizing math. Here's how 2026 brackets — and IRMAA — change the call.
The Roth conversion window before Social Security: a 2026 walkthrough
The years between retirement and your Social Security claim can be your lowest-tax window. Here's how Roth conversions, IRMAA, and bracket math fit in.
Required minimum distributions in 2026: the SECURE 2.0 rules
If you turn 73 in 2026, your first required minimum distribution is on the clock. Here's what SECURE 2.0 changed about timing, penalties, and QCDs.