Retirement Benefits

Retirement for many Americans can be like a rollercoaster. We experience the ups and the downs, the jarring turns, and the panic-inducing plummets. However, we have no guarantees and no trust that we are going to be taken care of, so it creates fear and not enjoyment. Is that how we want our retirement to go? Does this sound like a "fun ride"?

Don’t even think about navigating YOUR social security benefits until you listen to this essential guide – Understand your options and secure your retirement for financial independence, even if you’re just starting your journey. A recent survey by the Retirement Confidence Index revealed that over 65% of soon-to-be retirees are apprehensive about their post-retirement life, largely due to a lack of understanding of their Social Security benefits.

Unlock the Secrets to Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits! Are you nearing retirement and feeling overwhelmed by Social Security? Social Security Essentials is here to help. In this easy-to-read guide, financial expert Jeff Kikel walks you through everything you need to know to make the best decisions about your Social Security benefits. What You’ll Learn: When to file for Social Security to maximize your benefits How your filing age impacts your monthly checks Spousal and survivor benefits—and how to get the most from them The truth about taxes on Social Security Special rules for...

A comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide to the ins and outs of retirement planning—updated to include the latest information on new terminology, guideline updates, revised laws, and more making it the key resource for creating a retirement you can live on! How much do I need to retire?...

Conquer the CEBS RPA 1 Exam: Your Guide to the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist Exam on Directing Retirement Plans Part 1 is a targeted supplemental study guide designed to help candidates review key concepts for the RPA 1 exam. It is intended to complement more comprehensive resources and does not include practice questions. This guide covers essential retirement plan topics, including defined benefit and defined contribution structures, the distinctions between retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs, and the regulatory frameworks that govern them. It also explains special-...

A comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide to the ins and outs of retirement planning—the key resource for creating a retirement you can live on! How much do I need to retire? Can I retire early? What’s the retirement age, anyway? No matter whether you are 25, 65, or any age in between...

Unlock the door to your golden years with Income Streams After Retirement, the essential guide to creating a steady cash flow through smart real estate investments. As retirement beckons, ensure financial security and independence with strategies that harness the power of passive income streams. Begin your journey with an introduction to passive real estate investments and see why real estate remains one of the strongest choices for retirees seeking stable returns. From understanding the dynamics of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to diving into the innovative world of real estate ...

Are you prepared for retirement—or just hoping for the best? Retirement Ready is your ultimate, step-by-step guide to planning a secure and comfortable future. Whether you're in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, this powerful resource shows you how to take control of your finances, grow your wealth, and confidently retire on your own terms. Inside this practical and easy-to-follow guidebook, you’ll discover how to: ✅ Save money consistently—even if you’re starting late ✅ Maximize your Social Security benefits for lifelong income ✅ Create a smart budget that fits your retirement goals ...

Learn the ins and outs of the social security system in this accessible, easy-to-navigate guide with refreshed, updated information in Social Security 101, 2nd Edition. Too often, writing about social security turns the noteworthy details of the benefits into boring details about regulations or...

This guide explores the principles and structures that govern long-term retirement plan investing from a fiduciary and systems-based perspective. It examines how portfolios are designed, how risk is shaped rather than avoided, and how diversification, asset allocation, and time horizon interact to produce sustainable outcomes. Instead of focusing on short-term performance, the book emphasizes structural coherence, behavioral durability, and long-range stability. The material integrates modern portfolio theory, risk–return tradeoffs, asset class behavior, and multi-asset design into a ...

Discover a New Horizon: Achieve Financial Freedom Beyond 50 Imagine a life where the concept of retirement is not a restraint but a launchpad to your dreams. "Financial Freedom after Fifty" offers a guiding light for those who believe the best is yet to come. This insightful book is your companion on a journey of transformation, guiding you from the myths and realities of financial independence to practical steps for building wealth in your golden years. Embark on a Golden Journey with an introduction that sets the stage for redefining retirement and financial freedom. Explore how the ...

For over a century, the military services have provided pensions to active duty members that served 20 years. On January 1, 2018, the military broke with a long tradition and instituted a Blended Retirement System (BRS). This system is designed to enable service members to take some retirement savings with them if they depart before serving 20 years on active duty. Today, many service members have the option to stay with the traditional pension or enroll in the BRS. In a compelling and interesting read, Patrick Weinert breaks down the differences between the two retirement systems and ...

Are you making the most of the Social Security benefits you’ve spent a lifetime earning? Social Security is one of the most important and often misunderstood parts of financial planning in the U.S. Whether retirement is years away or just around the corner, claiming benefits without a strategy could cost you tens of thousands over your lifetime. This comprehensive, listener-friendly guide demystifies Social Security and shows you how to optimize benefits for retirement, disability, and survivor protection.

Unlock a vibrant and adventurous retirement filled with fun and freedom, without the stress of feeling left behind in your golden years! Do you wonder how to fill your days now that you’ve retired? Or perhaps you're searching for enriching activities that resonate with your interests, but feel overwhelmed by the choices? Have you thought about reconnecting with your community or pursuing a new hobby, only to find yourself hesitant or unsure where to start? If you nodded ‘yes’ to any of these questions, know that you’re not alone.

The 2025-2026 Edition: Updated with crucial law changes affecting Social Security & Medicare in 2025 and 2026 Is a single, overlooked deadline or a simple misunderstanding about the rules costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in retirement? Navigating Social Security and Medicare can feel like walking through a minefield. The rules are complex, the advice from friends is often outdated, and one wrong step can lead to lifelong penalties, permanently reduced benefits, and unexpected healthcare costs that deplete your hard-earned savings. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 101 ...

Are you ready to secure your financial future and find emotional fulfillment in a simpler lifestyle? "Downsizing with Purpose: Financial Benefits and Emotional Rewards" is the ultimate guide for baby boomers looking to navigate the complexities of investment strategies and wealth management. With a pragmatic blend of financial expertise and emotional insights, this comprehensive guide will help you make informed decisions about your financial planning and retirement. What You'll Discover Inside: Setting Financial Goals: Learn how to assess your current financial situation, define short-term...

Transition to a Secure Retirement with Confidence and Clarity — even if Social Security feels like a maze of confusion and unknowns. Are you overwhelmed by the complicated rules surrounding Social Security benefits? Do you fear making costly mistakes as you approach retirement? Are you uncertain about when and how to claim your benefits for maximum advantage? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you are part of a vast community of individuals approaching retirement who share the same concerns! The good news is there's a clear way forward. This insightful guide aims to provide ...

PASTOR MONEY: How Ministers Can Turn Their Greatest Tax Benefit into a Lifetime of Wealth, Freedom, and Legacy By Larry Jones You’ve been given one of the most powerful financial tools in the U.S. tax code… Are you using it wisely? If you're a pastor or minister, the housing allowance is more than just a line item on your W-2—it's your greatest financial advantage. And yet, most clergy leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table every year simply because they don’t understand how to fully utilize it. Pastor Money is the financial playbook every minister needs—but no seminary ...

Most people believe that retirement planning is only about managing your money. Yes, financial preparation is crucial, but what many fail to realize is that retirement readiness also involves psychological preparation. Retirement can be a major life transition, and it’s natural to feel unsure about what comes next.

Conquer the CEBS GBA/RPA 3 Exam: Your Guide to the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist Exam on Strategic Benefits Management is a concise supplemental study guide created to help candidates review essential concepts for the third module of the CEBS program. This book is intended to reinforce core knowledge, not replace comprehensive study materials, and it does not include practice questions. Topics covered include the ERISA regulatory framework, plan documentation requirements, vendor management, and global employee benefits. The guide also addresses complex areas such as managing ...