Annuities offer one of the more stable and reliable guaranteed income options in a person’s post-retirement phase. Annuities come with several benefits, such as monetary assurance for self and family, an income source immune to recession, and others. The positivity around annuity can be negatively affected when people who wish to apply for it make certain mistakes during or after the application process. So, identifying and avoiding these mistakes is imperative. Choosing the wrong insurance/annuity provider An annuity is of 5 types. For example, fixed dollar amounts, variable, guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits, and inflation-adjusted are the types of annuities. Each type of annuity comes with its own set of pros and cons. Financial advisors recommend that people go for certain annuities based on their personal requirements and financial position. Choosing the “wrong” kind of annuity can prevent users from getting the full scope of benefits of the scheme. Apart from the type of annuity, the insurance company in question must be checked before people sign up for annuity plans with them. One must research the credibility and popularity of annuity providers. After the research phase, people need to select the insurance companies that are among the most reputed ones. Not understanding how an annuity works Knowing the metaphorical ABCs of any investment option is critical for people looking to sign up for it.

A 401(k) is a qualified retirement plan companies offer employees as part of their benefits package. Through this plan, an employer matches an employee’s contribution towards their retirement fund. Though it is not legally required, many companies offer 401(k) plans to become eligible for tax benefits. Employers are, in many cases, given exemptions for state and payroll taxes, whereas the contributions made by the employee are considered deductions from their federal income tax.  Common mistakes people make with their 401(k) plan 1. Not knowing the different 401(k) accounts Before signing up for a 401(k) plan, it is important to know the characteristics and features of the different 401(k) accounts so that one can plan one’s savings accordingly. This scheme offers two types of accounts – Traditional 401(k) and Roth 401(k). One can choose the account that is suitable for one’s needs. The basic difference is that in a traditional 401(k), the contributions are made with pre-tax income, while in a Roth 401(k), it is made after-tax income. Roth 401(k) is currently more popular as it offers better tax benefits and wider investment options. 2. Withdrawing early from the 401(k) The 401(k) plan is designed to be a retirement-support fund; hence, checks and balances are in place to deter the use of the funds before retirement.

Navigating the world of financial investments and taxes, especially without guidance, can be daunting. It is not only tough to grasp all the terms and processes, but it is also a time-consuming task. So, it is advisable for one to hire a financial or tax adviser who can handle these tasks for them. When choosing a financial adviser, it is important to consider certain factors and avoid some mistakes to ensure hiring the right experts. Not seeking recommendations When looking to hire a financial or tax adviser, often, the first instinct is to explore online. While that is not exactly a mistake, searching for a financial adviser on the web can definitely be tedious. One would need to do a lot of research to make sure that they are hiring the right, reliable adviser for their financial decisions. This is why looking for a tax adviser on the Internet can be one’s Plan B. Plan A should be seeking recommendations from one’s friends, colleagues, family members, or anyone they trust and respect. If any of these people already have a reliable financial adviser, one will be in luck. It can help one save a lot of research time. But, it is also advisable to ask the person giving a referral a few questions about the financial adviser.

Financial challenges can be difficult to overcome sometimes, especially when one has debts to pay off and other financial responsibilities. One such constraint may be a credit card bill that needs to be paid off by the due date to avoid penalties and maintain a credit score. Fortunately, many financial institutions offer credit card financial hardship programs to help in such situations. Being aware of such programs helps one seek much-needed support during testing times. What are credit card financial hardship programs? A credit card financial hardship program is an initiative to help cardholders needing temporary assistance, such as temporarily reducing interest rates, payment extensions, and late fee waivers. Sometimes, the individual’s due payment may be suspended under certain conditions. In general, if one’s credit scores and payment records have been good, there is a higher chance of being given the waivers and benefits applicable to such programs. Who can apply for a credit card financial hardship program, and how to qualify for it? A credit card financial hardship program is generally suitable for those currently going through a difficult financial situation and cannot afford to pay their impending credit card bill on time. Depending on the circumstances and the program’s policy offered by the specific financial institution, they may either avail of a deadline extension or even a waiver or suspension.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers special benefits to those who have served in the armed forces. One of the benefits is VA loans—low-interest loans meant for eligible military personnel, veterans, and their spouses. The loans can help the beneficiaries become homeowners. There are several other features of these loans that even eligible veterans may not know, which stops them from applying for VA loans and making the most out of this benefit. 1. No down payment requirement Arguably, the best feature of VA loans is that one does not have to make a down payment on a home to get a VA home loan. Often, one may have to shell out tens of thousands of dollars to secure the loan and be able to buy their dream home. VA loans eliminate the need for arranging down payment money, so VA loan beneficiaries do not have to put off buying a home. This benefit of VA loans speeds up the process of buying homes. 2. Lenient credit score guidelines A major loan deterrent for many is their creditworthiness, which is determined by their credit score— a number that takes into account one’s credit history, loan repayment history, and how promptly debts are repai.

People often try their best to live a safe life. However, various elements could interfere with one’s cocooned approach, such as accidents or injuries due to unforeseen circumstances. Even a minor mishap may require vehicle repair estimates, doctor appointments, and insurance company calls into one’s calendar. In most cases, individuals may be eligible for a settlement check to address these expenses. But before accepting the check, it’s crucial to learn the details of settlements. Look for better offers Insurance adjusters typically start negotiations by offering an individual a low settlement amount. Sometimes, the amount might also be appealing to many. One should note that the first offer isn’t always the last. In most cases, the insurance company wants to gauge if the insured understands how much the claim is worth and determine how much one is eligible for and willing to accept. One should remember that one could always reject the first offer and make a counteroffer for a more reasonable amount. Doing so will show the adjuster that the individual is taking the negotiations seriously. Seek help from a lawyer When one hires an experienced legal professional, an insurance company might treat the claimant more respectfully. The personal injury attorney can offer detailed assistance and negotiate settlements from a position of strength to ensure the insurance company offers all the compensation to which one is entitled.

Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) is a comprehensive alternative to Original Medicare. Private insurers that offer Medicare Advantage plans contract with the federal government to offer health insurance benefits to those who qualify for Medicare. This plan has many benefits that attract more users each year. While it might have attractive features, Medicare Advantage might not be ideal for everyone. The best way to decide is by learning about its associated benefits. Low monthly premiums Individuals with Medicare are usually attracted to Medicare Advantage plans because they are marketed as “zero premium” products. Medicare Part C is similar to traditional Medicare, where enrollees must pay the Medicare Part B premium. On the contrary, people who sign up for Medicare Advantage do not have to pay a separate premium for additional coverage for or for Part D prescription premiums, as in the case of traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage rebate dollars cover these costs.  Also, note that the costs may differ by plan, so one must shop around to find the top options. Financial protection A Medicare Advantage plan offers financial safety because of its pre-fixed annual out-of-pocket limit. For instance, if one’s costs reach the limit, the plan covers 100 percent of Medicare-covered healthcare costs for the rest of the year.

With rising social and environmental issues at the global level, it is each one’s responsibility to do their bit for the greater good.  As investors, the best way to contribute to a noble cause is through Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investments.  ESG investments  involve buying shares and securities only  from companies with high environmental and social responsibility scores.  But one must have a strategy before venturing into ESG investments. Best-in-class screening This strategy is also called positive screening. It requires people to invest only in the top companies from specific niches.  One may set certain criteria the companies must meet to qualify  to be in  their portfolio.  For instance, those who invest in the automobile industry may shortlist companies that manufacture vehicles with the lowest carbon dioxide emissions. This way, one can consciously encourage environmentally and socially responsible companies to advance in their journeys. Exclusionary screening Also called negative screening, this strategy is  the opposite of  best-in-class screening.   It  essentially  involves excluding certain companies or industries from one’s portfolio.  Exclusionary screening is usually based on one’s specific objective related to ESG investments. For example, if one aims to reduce carbon emissions, one may boycott investments in companies that have recorded high carbon footprints in their manufacturing processes.