Medicare shouldn’t feel like a moving target — but December is the month when many retirees discover that their health coverage, drug plan, or out-of-pocket costs will shift on January 1. And even small gaps in coverage can lead to significant, unexpected expenses in the new year.
A December Medicare checkup is one of the most important year-end steps retirees can take to protect their retirement income, avoid unnecessary premiums, and ensure their healthcare fits their evolving needs. The good news? A quick review now can prevent costly surprises later.
Here is a clear, retirement-focused Medicare checklist designed to help you review what matters most before the calendar resets. Read More
Year-End Retirement Planning: The 5 Financial Blind Spots That Could Shrink Your Retirement Income in 2026
As 2025 winds down, many retirees and pre-retirees shift their focus to holiday plans, travel, and family time — but year-end is also one of the most critical windows for protecting future retirement income. The decisions you make in the last few weeks of the year can either strengthen your financial foundation… or quietly chip away at the income you’ll rely on in 2026 and beyond.
This article breaks down the five most common financial blind spots retirees face in December, why they often go unnoticed, and how to correct them now before they turn into real income shortages later.
If you live in states like Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey — where taxes, insurance costs, and retirement landscapes vary widely — these blind spots are even more important to understand. Proper planning today creates peace of mind tomorrow, no matter where you retire. Read More
The Retirement Spending Smile: Why You Might Spend Less (Then More)
Most people assume retirement spending is a straight line — steady, predictable, and consistent from year to year. But decades of research tell a different story. In reality, many retirees follow what economists call the “retirement spending smile,” a pattern where expenses start higher early in retirement, decline in the middle years, and rise again later in life.
Understanding this pattern can help you plan more confidently, avoid surprises, and align your financial decisions with how retirement actually unfolds — not just how you imagine it.
This guide breaks down what the spending smile means, why it happens, and how you can prepare for each stage, no matter where you live or what your cost of living looks like. Read More
The Retirement Income Gap: How to Know If You’ll Run Out of Money
One of the biggest fears people share about retirement isn’t market volatility… taxes… or inflation.
It’s four simple words:
“What if I outlive my money?”
That fear is real — and deserved. Americans are living longer than ever, everyday expenses continue rising, and traditional pensions have disappeared for many retirees. If you rely on savings, Social Security, and investment withdrawals alone, you may face what experts call the retirement income gap.
Your retirement income gap is the difference between:
✔ What you need
✔ What you want
— and —
✔ What your retirement income actually provides
Understanding this gap early — and closing it — is one of the smartest financial moves you can make before or during retirement. Let’s break down how to calculate it, why it grows over time, and what you can do to secure lifelong income. Read More
When most people think about retirement, they picture numbers — savings balances, income plans, budgets.
But the real secret to a successful retirement isn’t just about money. It’s about how you feel about it.
After decades of working, saving, and striving, retirement can bring emotional shifts that even the best financial plan can’t solve on its own. Understanding the psychology of retirement helps you align your money with your mindset — and live the life you’ve worked so hard to build. Read More
Why Every Retirement Plan Needs a Stress Test
A strong retirement plan isn’t built for perfect conditions — it’s built to endure the unexpected. Market downturns, rising healthcare costs, tax changes, and life events can all impact your long-term security.
That’s why financial professionals often recommend a “retirement stress test.” It’s like a dress rehearsal for your future — showing how your plan performs under different real-world challenges, so you can adjust before problems arise.
And because November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to test how prepared your plan is for one of retirement’s biggest potential expenses: the cost of care. Read More
Why a Year-End Portfolio Review Could Save Your Retirement
Retirement doesn’t mean your investments can run on autopilot. In fact, one of the most important steps you can take each year is a year-end portfolio review — especially if you’re retired or nearing retirement.
Think of it like a financial health checkup. You wouldn’t skip your annual physical, right? The same goes for your money.
This simple review can help you protect your nest egg, reduce unnecessary risk, and ensure your investments are still aligned with your goals — not the markets’ mood swings. Read More
Many retirees plan for years — only to find out some of what they “knew” about retirement wasn’t true.
The problem isn’t just misinformation; it’s that these myths can quietly drain your savings and confidence over time.
Let’s clear up four of the biggest retirement myths that could cost you if you believe them. Read More
The Hidden Tax Surprise That Catches Many Retirees
You worked hard, saved diligently, and finally reached retirement. The last thing you expect now is a surprise bill from the IRS. Yet many retirees discover too late that retirement isn’t a tax-free zone. In fact, it’s easy to fall into what some call “the retirement tax trap.”
That trap happens when your Social Security benefits, pension income, and withdrawals from savings combine to push you into a higher tax bracket than you expected. The result? You keep less of your hard-earned money.
The good news is that before the year ends, there are smart steps you can take to protect yourself — and possibly save thousands. Read More
Planning for retirement is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make—and finding the right information can be overwhelming. With thousands of articles, advisors, and calculators online, how do you know who to trust? If you’re searching for the best website for retirement info or looking to build a clear, confident strategy for your future, SafeMoney.com is a trusted source that brings clarity, transparency, and unbiased education to the retirement planning process.
In this article, we’ll explore what sets SafeMoney.com apart, how it supports consumers and financial advisors alike, and why it’s rapidly becoming the go-to destination for those seeking reliable retirement planning information. Read More
