For people in their late 50s and early 60s, it's one of the most useful tax tools available, and one of the most misunderstood. Here's how it works, without the jargon.

Because change is coming, whether we plan for it or not. We just have a much better chance of handling it well when we're prepared for what's on the other side.

Many things can and will go wrong in retirement, but the timing of when they happen matters almost as much as what actually happens. A bad stock market when you’re 85 isn’t fun, but a bad market six months after you retire can be a much bigger problem. That’s one of the reasons I believe the first five years of retirement deserve more attention than they usually get.

You’re in your mid-50s, you’ve worked hard, and you’re starting to see the finish line. There’s just one problem: you’re not sure if you can stand another three years at your current job. Retiring tomorrow is what you want to do, but when you run the numbers, you’re not quite there yet. So, what do you do?

Here are five of the biggest mistakes we’ve seen people make when preparing for retirement—and what you can do to avoid them.

Most retirement articles focus on numbers. This article looks at the softer side of retirement planning: what your life will look like when you stop going to work every day.

You have run the numbers, talked with family and friends, and made the decision: you are ready to retire. That is great news! Now comes the question: Where will my paycheck come from?