How Higher Medicare Costs Will Affect Older Adults in 2026
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the Medicare premiums and deductibles for 2026.
Affordability, Elder Financial Abuse, and Estate Planning
The ‘affordability crisis’ is fueling a surge in financial elder abuse, including ‘inheritance impatience’ and ‘inheritance preservation’ schemes. Pushed to their financial limits, adult children are asking parents to hand over their wealth early, or to stop spending it.
2026 Medicaid Long-Term Care Benefits When You Are Married
Medicaid permits the healthy spouses of Medicaid patients who need long-term care services to retain limited resources to keep them from becoming impoverished.
Execute a Durable Power of Attorney Before It’s Too Late
A durable power of attorney is an extremely important estate planning tool, but many people delay completing this vital estate planning step until it’s too late and they no longer are legally capable of doing it.
Giving to Grandkids? Consider Gift Tax, 529 Plans, and More
Here are some issues grandparents should consider before making gifts to grandchildren or other family members.
Annual Gift Tax and Estate Tax Exemptions for 2026
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the gift tax and estate tax exclusions going into effect January 1, 2026. The federal estate tax exemption will increase to $15 million per individual; the annual gift tax exemption will remain at $19,000.
Probate Law: A Look Across States
Trusts are a common tool for bypassing probate, but states offer other options as well. These vary widely, underscoring the importance of understanding local laws if probate avoidance is a priority.
High Earners Over Age 50 Will Lose a 401(k) Tax Break
If you’re 50 or older and in a high-income bracket, a new rule means that a familiar tax deduction for extra catch‐up contributions to your 401(k) may vanish and you’ll be required to make those extra contributions to an after-tax Roth account.
Social Security Spousal Benefits and Survivor Benefits
Social Security doesn’t just pay retirement benefits to retired workers; in some circumstances, it also provides benefits to a worker’s spouse or ex-spouse and to a deceased worker’s surviving spouse.
Estate Planning: Funding Your Revocable Living Trust
Trust funding is the process of transferring the ownership of your accounts and property to your trust during your lifetime.