Invest & Retire

“Investing can seem so complicated that you might shut down and do nothing about it — or feel you need to hire someone to guide you. However, it doesn’t need to be complex. You probably already have the opportunity to get started right where you work.”

Essentials

Latest Investing & Retirement

retirement money jar
Report: The Average Amount Retirees Spend in Retirement Investing & Retirement January 17th, 2023
How much money do you plan to spend in retirement every month? The Employee Benefit Research Institute's (EBRI) 2022 Spending…
Ask Clark money column
Should I Invest a Lump Sum at Once or Through Dollar-Cost Averaging? Investing & Retirement January 12th, 2023
Most of us have dreamed about suddenly receiving a large pile of money. But, if you're financially responsible, you may…
Required Minimum Distributions: How To Calculate, Rules
Required Minimum Distributions: How To Calculate, Rules Investing & Retirement January 10th, 2023
Once you turn 72, the IRS expects you to take annual Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your retirement accounts. But…
The Rule of 55 allows you to withdraw 401(k) funds before age 59½.
The Rule of 55: What Is It, How It Works Investing & Retirement January 9th, 2023
If you're thinking about early retirement, it may be important for you to understand the Rule of 55 for 401(k)…
3 Places You Should Never Invest Your Money
3 Places You Should Never Invest Your Money Banks & Banking January 9th, 2023
With great power comes great responsibility. Whether you've read about the Sword of Damocles or simply watched Spiderman, you've probably…
The Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2023
The Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2023 Investing & Retirement January 4th, 2023
Are you ready to see an increase in your Social Security check? In October 2022, the Social Security Administration (SSA)…
saving money
Are You Rich? The Amount Americans Need To Live Comfortably Investing & Retirement December 20th, 2022
How much money do you need to live comfortably? And how much money would you need to be worth to…
Ask Clark money column
Can I Invest Through My HSA While Still Remaining Liquid? Investing & Retirement December 19th, 2022
An HSA, or a Health Savings Account, can be one of the most exciting financial tools if you know how…
Ask Clark money column
Should I Invest or Pay Off My Student Loans? Debt December 6th, 2022
Compound interest is one of the most exciting, powerful and remarkable forces in finance. Given enough time, a modest amount…
Ask Clark money column
How Much Should Your 401(k) Account Cost You All-In? Investing & Retirement December 1st, 2022
The easiest decision in retirement planning is contributing to your company 401(k) account up to the company match. You can…
Coins stacked up and growing in value
What Is the Rule of 72 and Why Should You Care About It? Investing & Retirement November 11th, 2022
Everybody loves the idea of doubling their money. But did you know there's a simple formula that can help you…
investment account
Should I Care About the Fee on My Investment Account if I’m Getting a High Rate of Return? Investing & Retirement November 7th, 2022
If you’re thinking about investing in mutual funds or index funds, you should know that it's quite normal for you…
Tax-Loss Harvesting: How To Use a Bear Market To Lower Your Tax Bill
Tax-Loss Harvesting: How To Use a Bear Market To Lower Your Tax Bill Investing & Retirement November 4th, 2022
It's been a rough year for U.S. equities. Due to a combination of historic inflation and aggressive interest rate hikes…
Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2022
Best Investment Companies for Investors in 2022 Investing & Retirement November 4th, 2022
The best investment companies are good fits for almost every investor, whether you’re a beginner or you’re making exotic trades.…
retirement plan
New Report: The Age Most Americans Expect To Retire Investing & Retirement October 28th, 2022
If you haven’t retired already, perhaps you have a certain age in mind as a target for retirement. The 2022…
How Much of Each Paycheck You Should Save or Invest
How Much of Each Paycheck You Should Save or Invest Investing & Retirement October 26th, 2022
As a country, the United States stinks at saving money. However, we collectively got our act together not long after…
IRS Announces Record 401(k) Contribution Limit Increase for 2023
IRS Announces Record 401(k) Contribution Limit Increase for 2023 Investing & Retirement October 25th, 2022
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced a record increase in 401(k) contribution limits for 2023, raising the standard amount from…
"What is an HSA" and "what are the HSA contribution limits in 2021" are common health insurance questions.
What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? Health Insurance October 20th, 2022
If you’re enrolled in a high-deductible health plan at work, you may have been offered the option of an HSA.…
Lost retirement accounts are a real problem in the United States. Here's how to track down those accounts.
How To Find Missing or Lost Retirement Accounts Investing & Retirement October 20th, 2022
Americans have reportedly lost or abandoned more than $1 trillion in retirement funds from previous employers. Fortunately, if you've misplaced…
investor sees stock market losses
Should I Take Money Out of the Stock Market and Buy I Bonds? Investing & Retirement October 18th, 2022
The stock market’s performance of late has not been one for the faint of heart. It's not surprising if you're…
Inherited IRA
Why You Want To Spend Your IRA Money Before You Die Investing & Retirement October 18th, 2022
Prior to 2020, passing wealth from generation to generation through an IRA was a viable strategy. A family could take…
Retirement affordability
New Report: Top 15 Most Affordable Places To Retire Investing & Retirement October 17th, 2022
When it comes to possible retirement destinations, no doubt finding a place in line with your budget is a major…
down stock market chart
My Stock Market Investments Are Down 25%. Should I Take My Money Out? Investing & Retirement October 12th, 2022
The news on Wall Street isn't pretty these days: U.S. stock markets have been falling for months. The S&P 500…
Fidelity, Vanguard Working To Prevent 401(k) Leaks
Fidelity, Vanguard Working To Prevent 401(k) Leaks Investing & Retirement October 11th, 2022
The days of working for a single company for decades, getting a decadent retirement party and riding off into the…
watering money growing in pot
Is Now a Good Time To Put Money in a CD? Investing & Retirement October 10th, 2022
If you’re thinking about a place to stash your cash, interest rates on certificates of deposit (CDs) may present an…
MySocialSecurity: The Free Account Everyone Needs To Set Up Before Retirement
MySocialSecurity: The Free Account Everyone Needs To Set Up Before Retirement Investing & Retirement October 7th, 2022
For many of us, Social Security will be a significant part of our income during retirement. In fact, the Social…
Don’t Make These 7 Common Retirement Mistakes
Don’t Make These 7 Common Retirement Mistakes Investing & Retirement October 4th, 2022
Financial planning and investing aren't rocket science. It's first and foremost about discipline. You set some goals, determine what needs…
What Is the Best Way To Withdraw Money in Retirement?
What Is the Best Way To Withdraw Money in Retirement? Investing & Retirement September 29th, 2022
LOTS OF RESEARCHhas been done on the best way to generate retirement income. It’s one of the most popular topics…
9 Things To Do Before You Quit Your Job and Retire
9 Things To Do Before You Quit Your Job and Retire Investing & Retirement September 10th, 2022
IMAGINE YOU PLANto retire next year. What can you do beforehand to gain the most later on? Here are some…
When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security?
When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security? Investing & Retirement September 5th, 2022
Have you heard of the Stanford marshmallow experiment? Researchers gave children one marshmallow. They promised a second marshmallow if the…