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Topics for Baby Boomers
Updated - June 29, 2009
Baby Boomers

The Dollar Stretcher Baby Boomer section covers all topics important to the Baby Boomer generation. Each week find articles and money-saving tips on health issues and health insurance, retirement and retirement planning, financial planning, personal finance, estate planning, legal issues, taxes, vacationing and much more.



Retiring on Social Security
Is it possible to live well on SSI alone?

Help With Prescriptions
How to save money on your medicine.

On the Road to Retirement
Why a 401(k) loan can take the fun out of your road trip.

Into the Boomer Babe's Closet
What she's learned can save you money!

A Healthy Heart
Cutting cholesterol can help keep your heart pumping for years.

401k Layoff Trap
Could a 401k loan today turn into a disaster tomorrow?

Steering Clear of Travel Scams
Don't let someone steal your vacation money.


The Dollar Stretcher Community

Join the Dollar Stretcher Community and share what you know with fellow Baby Boomers.

Singles Only
Share your tips and ideas on frugal single living.

Money Management
All about money: Taxes, insurance, budgeting, retirement, getting out of debt and banking.


Readers' Tips
The smartest readers on the web share their frugal living ideas!


Bankrate's Retirment Channel
Retirement Planning

The daily management of family, work, bills, debts and taxes is no easy task and may sometimes overshadow saving for the golden years. Here are some tips that can help.

Bankrate's Retirement Channel
Visit Bankrate’s Retirement channel for coverage of retirement trends, Social Security issues, retirement planning, investing strategies and financial tools to help make key retirement decisions.

The Estate Planning Basics
Many people believe they don't need estate planning because they think they don't have an estate. But with few exceptions, everyone has an estate, and if you don't get around to designing a plan of your own, your heirs will be stuck with the state designing it for you.

Health Insurance Promises
As the first wave of baby boomers makes the transition from career track to riding the retirement rails, here's a warning from those who've already pushed off from corporate life: Don't believe everything you're told, even if you have it in writing, especially where post-retirement health insurance is concerned.

Retirement Tips for Late-Career Savers
Baby boomers closing in on retirement are bombarded with questions: How soon can I retire? How much more do I need? What about health care? Here are some tips on how to find answers that work for you.

Don't Let Divorce Derail Your Retirement
Splitting up an estate can ruin retirement savings. Follow these eight steps for protecting your assets.

The Lowdown on Medicare Coverage
This insurance program provides health care for retirees and the disabled, but it's not free. Here's how it works.

Has your plan for a leisurely retirement been hijacked? The first step to recovery is to understand the turbulent economic issues at hand and plot a calculated course for the road ahead. Among other things, Bankrate’s 2008 Retirement Guide includes tips on downsizing, advice on how to beat inflation, beef up savings, plan for adequate health coverage and find part-time work in retirement.

Multiple Crises Sabotage Retirement Plans
If it seems bad for most Americans, it is only worse for those who have already retired or were getting ready to leave the workplace for good.

Health Care Costs a Huge Rretirement Factor
Looking forward to a comfortable retirement? Don't forget to factor in the cost of health care.

Medicare Helps with Health Care Costs
A major part of planning for retirement is knowing what Medicare can or cannot do for you -- physically and financially.

Downsizing Your Way to Retirement
For many retirees, downsizing isn't merely an option -- it's a necessary survival strategy that could stretch savings and prevent a critical money crunch later on.

When to Take Social Security
At what point should you start collecting your Social Security benefits? The answer may not be as easy as you think.

7 Great Paychecks for Retired Baby Boomers
Part-time work can help you pick up a few extra paychecks to cover basic expenses or perks such as travel and entertainment while your retirement portfolio rebounds.

Rentals Rock for Retirement Income
Some retirees have found the perfect second career: landlord.




Time to take on risk for higher yields?
It's tempting today to take on more investing risk for higher yield, but is it wise?

2 mortgages haunt retirement home dream
Homeowners dream of a new retirement home but fear the nightmare of holding two mortgages.

Work sheet: Compare mutual fund fees
Fees can rob your investments. Compare the fees on prospective mutual funds to narrow down your choices.

IRA rollover rules protect retirement
Following the rules carefully with an IRA CD rollover will help protect your retirement.

Big changes ahead for money funds?
The SEC has put forth proposals that it says should strengthen rules governing money funds.

7 ways to avoid tapping retirement cash
Boomers looking for funds in a down economy have options other than raiding retirement savings.

2009 RMD rules for an IRA
If you already took your RMD for 2009, you still may be able to roll it into another plan.

Dropped pension won't thwart retirement
When a company drops a pension plan, seeking expert help can prevent damage to retirement dreams.

Taking a credit card on a foreign vacation: 10 tips
On balance, bringing your credit card on vacation is a smart decision, but expect extra fees and take precautions.

Can Social Security benefits be garnished over card debt?
Be at ease; your Social Security can't be garnished for credit card debt. But you still need to get a budget together.

New survey finds most common ID theft victims
Bommers beware. The most common identity theft victims are middle-aged married females, divorcees, or those who make more than $75,000 a year.

When credit card debt ruins retirement
When credit card debt dulls the glow of your golden years, you have options: reverse mortgages, bankruptcy or credit counseling.




Will versus Trust
Deanna has a head-to-head question for Dave about a last will and testament and when to have it over a trust.

An Uninsurable Mom
Denise's elderly mother has little income, bad health, and no life insurance, so she needs help with how to insure for her death.

Forced Contributions
Brian works for the police department and has a stable pension, but should he put all his retirement savings there?


Bankrate's Estate Planning Guide
Estate Planning Guide

Estate planning is something we tend to put off indefinitely, but it's an act of love. Don't give your family more grief than they can handle. Make it a priority to organize your financial affairs.

What You Need to Know about Wills
No one likes to think about his or her own death. Yet it would be a shame not to prepare a will if you have children or hold significant assets that you want distributed to specific people.

Estate Planning for Everyone
Estate planning applies to people from all walks of life, even to the castaways on Gilligan's Island.

What Trusts Can Do for You and Yours
You can call the shots long after you're dead and gone if you set up a trust while you're still around.

8 Types of Trusts for Everyday People
Most importantly, trusts ensure that the right people end up with your loot.

Avoiding Accidental Disinheritance
Here's how you can accidentally disinherit your loved ones, and how you can prevent it.

Keeping Life Insurance in Force
If your parent forgets to pay the premium on a life insurance policy, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise.


Bankrate's Financial Planning Guide
Financial Planning Guide

Financial planning can be complex or simple. Cut through the clutter and fine-tune your portfolio.

Building Blocks for Successful Investing
Here's the lowdown on the pros and cons of financial planning and the basic types of investments.

Investing Shortcuts for the DIY Investor
Don't have time to study modern portfolio theory? These no-brainer funds are tailor made for you.

Finding a Financial Planner
Do a little detective work before you hire a financial planner. We provide all the clues you need.

Investing Tool Kit
Calculators, work sheets and resources for fine-tuning your investment portfolio.