How to Divide Your Estate Fairly, Marriage Brings Big Social Security Changes, Safest Countries for Travel

Ready to Retire? Here Are Four Tips for the Transition | How Getting Married Affects Your Social Security Benefits | Seven Reasons You Should Retire in California Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( May 27, 2024 CONNECT WITH KIPLINGER  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [Retirement Tips]( [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE]( [] Journey to Retirement [] [Ready to Retire? Here Are Four Tips for the Transition]( [Ready to Retire? Here Are Four Tips for the Transition]( (Getty Images) Before you take the retirement plunge, you should make sure to handle several key planning steps so you can enjoy your golden years. J.P. Morgan wealth planning executive Adam Frank shares [four strategies for making the transition from full-time work to retirement](. [] Social Security [] [How Getting Married Affects Your Social Security Benefits]( [How Getting Married Affects Your Social Security Benefits]( (Getty Images) Once you tie the knot, your [Social Security benefits]( will be forever tied up with your spouse's -- and that can be a good thing if you understand how it works. Elder law attorney Patrick M. Simasko, J.D., lays out the financial benefits from tax breaks to better health insurance. [Strategies to Minimize Your Tax Burden]( Making your savings last and keeping your taxes low takes planning and attention. Our advisors can help you save time and earn more. [LEARN MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT [] Retirement Lifestyle [] [Seven Reasons You Should Retire in California]( [Seven Reasons You Should Retire in California]( (Getty Images) From the great outdoors to great wine -- [there are all kinds of reasons to retire in California](. The Golden State offers retirees plenty of space, a wealth of outdoor activities, no taxes on Social Security income, and other surprising benefits. [] See the World, Safely [] [The 10 Safest Countries to Visit]( [The 10 Safest Countries to Visit]( (Getty Images) Planning international travel? Make sure you know the [safest countries to visit]( based on solid data, not just sensational news reports. And when in doubt, check some of the travel advisory sites provided here for a full picture of a country's safety profile. [Best Compounding Interest Investments in Preparing for Retirement]( If you invested in an S&P 500 index fund starting in January 2000 until September 2020 your average annualized return would have been 4.2%, a cumulative return of 136%. But if you reinvested all dividend payments your annualized return would have been 6.2%, a cumulative return of 247%. Just reinvesting dividends would have nearly doubled your gains. 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Call the experts at LifeBook Memoirs today on (844) 399-0426 to learn how easy it is to begin. [Learn More]( ADVERTISEMENT [] Estate Planning [] [Leaving Property to Multiple Heirs? What to Consider]( [Leaving Property to Multiple Heirs? What to Consider]( (Getty Images) One of the most difficult aspects of estate planning is [choosing who will be receiving your inheritance once you're gone](. If you have additional property, like a vacation home, it's essential that this gets added to your overall plan, because it can get even more difficult as time goes by. [] RELATED KIPLINGER ARTICLES WE THINK YOU'LL ENJOY [] [Six Steps to Appeal Your Property Tax Bill]( As home values increase nationwide, property taxes are also on the rise. [8 Things You Must Know About Medicare's Income-Related Monthly Surcharges]( Here's what you need to know about who gets charged and why, as well as when the fees can be waived. 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