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How Much Can I Earn While Taking Social Security?
June 3, 2026 at 1:10:20 PM
One of the most common questions for those considering when to start social security benefits is: "Can I keep working if I'm collecting Social Security?" The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that if you claim Social Security before your Full Retirement Age (FRA, age 67 in most cases), your benefits may be temporarily reduced if your earnings exceed certain limits. The good news is that many people misunderstand these rules and assume they are losing benefits forever—which is not the...
June 3, 2026 at 1:10:20 PM
How Much Can I Earn While Taking Social Security?
One of the most common questions for those considering when to start social security benefits is: "Can I keep working if I'm collecting Social Security?" The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that if you claim Social Security before your Full Retirement Age (FRA, age 67 in most cases), your benefits may be temporarily reduced if your earnings exceed certain limits. The good news is that many people misunderstand these rules and assume they are losing benefits forever—which is not the...
April 15, 2026 at 7:17:01 PM
Are You Mentally Ready to Retire? A Self-Assessment Checklist
Most people spend years, sometimes decades, planning the financial side of retirement. How much money do I need saved to retire? How should I be invested? Which account should I take income from first? When should I start social security? How will I get health insurance? How will I minimize taxes? And preparation for these financial items and many others matters enormously. But there's a side of retirement readiness that gets far less attention: are you mentally and emotionally ready to make...
January 24, 2026 at 6:15:32 PM
Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax: Protecting Your Heirs from the 4.5% (or 15%) Bite
If you're a Pennsylvania resident planning your estate, there's one tax you absolutely need to understand: the Pennsylvania inheritance tax. Unlike most states that have eliminated this tax, Pennsylvania is one of only six states that still imposes it, and it affects estates of all sizes, not just the wealthy. Here's what makes this particularly important for Pennsylvania retirees: while you won't pay a state estate tax (Pennsylvania eliminated that), and most people won't face federal estate...
October 17, 2025 at 12:22:43 PM
The Other Side of Retirement: Preparing for the Social and Emotional Journey
Article by Dr. Lisa J Lucas Author, Speaker, and Life Transition Coach When most of us think about retirement, we focus on the tangible: savings goals, pensions, healthcare, and whether our financial plan will sustain the lifestyle we envision. We imagine freedom, travel, and leisure — a long-awaited exhale after decades of structure and responsibility. But what few people prepare for, and what too few conversations address, is the social and emotional reality that comes after the celebration...
May 26, 2026 at 12:35:37 PM
Fun Part-Time Jobs Many Retirees End Up Loving
For many people, retirement sounds wonderful at first: No alarm clock No commute No meetings No deadlines And for a while, it often is wonderful. But after the novelty wears off, many retirees discover something surprising: They don’t necessarily miss their old career… but they do miss having structure, social interaction, and a sense of purpose. That’s one reason part-time work has become increasingly popular in retirement — especially here in the Philadelphia suburbs, where there are so...
March 5, 2026 at 4:24:50 PM
Downsizing or Relocating: Pros, Cons, and the Real Financial Impact
For a lot of people approaching retirement, the family home is both their biggest asset and their biggest expense. The kids may be gone, the rooms sit empty, and the mortgage (if there still is one) along with maintenance expenses and property taxes feels like an anchor on a retirement budget that needs to be lean and flexible. The case for downsizing or relocating can be compelling. But it's rarely as simple as "sell the big house, pocket the difference, and live cheaper." Here's what the...
January 21, 2026 at 1:31:12 PM
The Real Story About Retirement Expenses: What Changes and What Doesn't
One of the most common questions I hear from clients approaching retirement is: "How much will I actually spend each year?" It's a deceptively simple question with a complex answer, because retirement expenses don't follow a straight line. They shift, evolve, and sometimes surprise you in ways that working years never prepared you for. This article will walk you through what commonly happens with expenses in retirement and how to project expenses in a way that works in the real world. The...
May 18, 2026 at 1:36:25 PM
The “Widow’s (or Widower's) Tax Trap” Many Couples Never Plan For
When most couples think about retirement planning, they picture things like investment performance, retirement income, healthcare costs, or estate documents. Taxes are usually part of the conversation too. But there’s one tax issue that often catches retirees completely off guard — and unfortunately, many families don’t discover it until after the loss of a spouse. It’s sometimes called the “widow’s (or widower's) tax trap.” And despite the name, it has nothing to do with making a mistake or...
February 18, 2026 at 4:05:46 PM
Understanding Gift Taxes: Common Misconceptions and Key Considerations
As retirement draws closer, many of us find ourselves thinking more about legacy. Helping a child with a down payment, contributing to a grandchild's college fund, or simply sharing what we've built while we're still here to see it make a difference. It's one of the most meaningful things you can do with a lifetime of savings. Gift taxes, though, have a way of creating unnecessary worry. The rules are frequently misunderstood, and that misunderstanding can lead people to either hold back...
November 16, 2025 at 5:14:19 PM
2026 Retirement Account Contribution Limits: Essential Guide for Those 50+
The IRS has announced higher contribution limits for 2026, giving those ages 50 and above more opportunities to boost their retirement savings. If you're approaching retirement, understanding these changes—especially the enhanced catch-up provisions—can help you maximize your tax-advantaged savings in the final stretch. 401(k), 403(b), and 457 Plans: Room to Save More Standard Contributions The base contribution limit for workplace retirement plans is increasing across the board: 2026:...
