If you're nearing retirement (or even just planning ahead for when you do), then understanding Social Security is critical. How much will you get paid? When will you receive it? Will it be enough to support your lifestyle once you exit the workforce? Answering these questions is vital and should be done well ahead of retirement.

Maximizing your employer-provided investment benefits is critical if you want a comfortable, enjoyable retirement. But how do you do that? It requires a deep understanding of your employer's exact investment offerings--in most cases, a 401(a) or a 401(k) plan.

There are few universal truths in life and one of them is that no one enjoys paying taxes. Of course they fund our roads, local public works, emergency responders and other essential services but come tax time no one is thinking about that. You've worked hard to achieve a certain lifestyle in retirement and a big property tax bill can put a damper on enjoying the fruits of your labor.

The Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate at its meeting this week, marking the second time in only 11 years the group has done so. The rate now clocks in at 1.75-2%, down from 2.25-2.5% late last year. A change in the federal funds rate won't impact you directly, but it might trickle down to your pocketbook eventually.

Whether you're planning to downsize or buy a second home in retirement, you'll likely need a mortgage to help you do it. In fact, even if you're staying put in a fully paid-off home, a mortgage might still be a good move for your finances. Here are the mortgage loans that can help you do it.

HECM loans can come with serious advantages for active adults, and they're also available for use in refinancing. Are you hoping to purchase a home without footing the full bill up front? Do you have significant equity in your home and want to tap it via refinancing? Then a HECM loan could be the right path.

Thanks to these affordable communities and some tax benefits for retirees, active adults can retire in Illinois on a budget and still enjoy a high quality of life. If you're planning for an Illinois retirement, here's what you need to know about taxes.

Want to make the most of your retirement finances? Make sure you're living in a tax-friendly state. Although every state's tax policies varies, here are some of the best places to retire for taxes.

Many retirees simply do not understand the ins and outs of taxes after they retire. In fact, many retirees have said that they wished that they had a better understanding of the topic. Here's where to go if you want to avoid high taxes in retirement.

Retirement means many different things for many different people. So, how much do you need to spend? Well, it depends on what you want. So, do you want to live a resort-like retirement or a more affordable, low-key retirement?