Pensionless by Brandon, Emily -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Introduction

The Golden Age of Pensions 401(k)s: The New Retirement Standard Using What You’ve Got

Step 1: Maximize Social Security

Maximize Your Earnings Select Your Start Date Important Social Security Ages Buyer’s Remorse Coordinate Benefits with a Spouse Maximize Survivor’s Benefits Five Strategies to Boost Your Social Security Payments Claim Disability Benefits Apply for Family Benefits The State of Social Security Working in Retirement Taxes on Social Security Payments Collecting Your Benefit Step Takeaways

Step 2: Make the Most of Medicare

Sign Up on Time Plan for Costs Make the Most of Your Benefit Add a Supplemental Plan Sign Up for Prescription Drug Coverage High Income, Higher Premiums What Medicare Doesn’t Cover Step Takeaways

Step 3: Boost Your 401(k) Balance

Maximize Your Tax Break Sign Up As Soon As You Can Set Up Automatic Contributions Don’t Stick with the Defaults Get an Employer Match How to Get a 401(k) Match Carefully Select Your Investments Minimize 401(k) Fees Important Ages for a 401(k) Plan Avoid Early Withdrawals Changing Jobs Working for an Employer Without a 401(k) Five Strategies to Boost Your 401(k) Balance Catching Up When You’re Behind Step Takeaways

Step 4: Invest In an IRA

Make Sure You Qualify Maximize the Tax Benefits Contribute to an IRA for Family Members Meet the Contribution Deadline Watch Out for Income Limits Make Saving Automatic Avoid the Early Withdrawal Penalty How Early Withdrawals Hurt Your Retirement Savings Investment Selection Rolling Money Over from a 401(k) 401(k)s versus IRAs Step Takeaways

Step 5: Add Tax Diversification with a Roth Account

Avoid Taxes in Retirement Get a Roth 401(k) Match Spousal Roth IRAs Meet the Deadlines Watch Out for Income Limits Differences Between Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s Protect Your Roth Accounts When Changing Jobs More Flexibility Easier Early Access to Your Money Fewer Taxes for Heirs Roths versus Traditional Retirement Accounts Differences Between Traditional and Roth IRAs Tax Diversification The MyRA Step Takeaways

Step 6: Minimize Taxes Before and After Retirement

Seven Ways to Minimize Taxes While Saving for Retirement The Order of Saving Choose Low-Tax Investments Great Investments for Taxable Accounts Great Investments for Retirement Accounts Drawing Down Your Retirement Savings Taking Required Minimum Distributions from 401(k)s and IRAs Rolling Over to an IRA Distributions from Roth Accounts Inheriting an IRA Three Tips for Taking Required Minimum Distributions Use a Smart Draw-Down Strategy Consider an Immediate Annuity Keep Up with Inflation Maintain Your Emergency Fund Managing Risks in Retirement Four Retirement Account Taxes to Avoid Minimize Taxes on Your Social Security Benefit Consider State Taxes Step Takeaways

Step 7: Cut Costs and Fees on Your Retirement Investments

Choose Funds with Low Expense Ratios Minimize Transaction Fees Choose No-Load Mutual Funds Watch Out for Administrative Costs Avoid Actively Managed Funds Choose Low-Cost Index Funds Avoid Chasing Returns Take Advantage of 401(k) Fee Disclosures Ask for Better 401(k) Options Cutting Costs Is Worth the Effort Step Takeaways

Step 8: Control Your Housing Costs

Pay Off Your Mortgage Reverse Mortgages, Renting, and Other Solutions Retiring Abroad Deciding Where to Live Three Tips for a Sunbelt Retirement Picking the Right Spot Retirement Spots to Avoid Staying in Your Current Home Step Takeaways

Step 9: Reduce Your Cost of Living

Expenses You Can Eliminate in Retirement Be on the Lookout for Discounts Personal Finance Savings New Retirement Costs to Budget For Children and Grandchildren Predicting Your Life Expectancy Step Takeaways

Step 10: Reinvent Your Life

Choosing When to Retire Unexpected Retirement Alternatives to Traditional Retirement Coordinating Retirement with Your Spouse Deciding How to Fill Your Days Step Takeaways

Appendix A: A Retirement Planning Checklist

Decide When to Start Social Security Sign Up for Medicare on Time Finish Funding Your Retirement Accounts Review Your Plan to Spend Your Savings Consider Consolidating Your Retirement Accounts Remember Required Minimum Distributions Decide How You Will Spend Your Time Important Ages for Retirement Planning Five Websites Every Retiree Needs to Visit

Appendix B: Glossary Appendix C: How to Get a Pension

A Guide to Getting a Pension Keep Track of Your Pension Frozen Pension Plans Early Retirement and Buyout Offers Evaluating a Lump Sum Pension Payment When Pension Plans Fail Find a Lost Pension Plan Pension Plans Transferred to an Insurance Company Cash Balance Pension Plans Watch Out For Pension Envy Five Ways to Cope With Pension Envy

Acknowledgments About the Author