When it comes to retiring, experts are pretty unanimous, Americans are not as prepared as they should be. There are many smalls steps that people should take to have the lives that they want in their golden years. These steps also tend to coincide with certain milestones that you should mark on your calendar. December 31 This date marks the end of the year each and every year. It's also the date that allows you to maximize the tax benefit of any tax-deferred savings that you

Wills and trusts are both invaluable estate planning documents but they serve very different functions and are used at different times. Used in combination, they can help provide a comprehensive estate plan and both should be addressed when planning for retirement. Wills A will goes into effect after an individual has died. It delineates the distribution of assets according to the testator's wishes and typically designates an executor who will ensure that the distribution is