First Federal Bank Blog

If you are in your retirement years and rely on Social Security payments, waiting to learn what the cost of living adjustment (COLA) will be each year can be anxiety inducing. It’s complicated, and difficult to plan when the amount of your payments can change. Yahoo Finance offers some projections for 2025, as well as guidance on what you can do...

When we think about investing, the focus is normally on saving money for retirement. Many consider it to be too risky once you have reached that milestone, and instead plan to hold on to their money and draw from their accounts as needed. Rob Berger of Forbes magazine explains why it is important, and beneficial, to continue investing after you...

You’ve been planning for your retirement for years. Now the time has come to leave the workforce and enjoy the next phase of your life. Are you prepared? According to Mint.com, these seven common mistakes can really hurt you in retirement:

When it comes to retirement planning, employer 401(k) programs tend to be the option people think of. But there are other ways you can save money for your golden years. An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is another way to set aside and invest funds today to have available in the future. According to MSN, there are three ways you can make the...

An individual retirement account (IRA) can be a powerful tool for investing and saving your money — especially when you manage it wisely. If you’re looking for ways to make the most of your IRA, start by reviewing these commonly asked questions.What investments can I make with an IRA?You can choose from a wide range of IRA investment options to...

As you plan your retirement finances, be sure to take health care costs into account. Even though Medicare will cover a large chunk of your expenses, it’s likely you’ll still need to pay premiums and deductibles, vision and dental, long-term care, and more. In fact, according to Fidelity’s 2023 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, the average couple...

Congratulations! You’re on track to reach your 401(k)-contribution limit for the year. But your commitment to funding your retirement shouldn’t stop at your 401(k). Once you’ve maxed out those contributions, you should take another step to preparing for your post-career lifestyle. Here are some smart ways to stash more for retirement if you’re...

Whether you are close to retirement or just starting to think about the day when you no longer have to work, planning for your golden years requires a lot of thought. One major decision you have to make is where you want to set down roots. Is it best to stay where you are or is a new address the way to go? The following guide may help you decide...

Whether retirement is near or decades away, you should always be financially planning for your senior years. Most people have a certain vision of what retirement will be like, but it varies drastically from the curveballs that life actually throws. That’s why it’s important to be aware of these possible expenses as you stockpile your savings and...

If retirement is in your near future, you’ve probably mapped out how you’re going to spend your newfound freedom, where you’re going to go, and how much you’re going to love sleeping in or staying up late. Whether retirement is years in the future or simply months within reach, you must carve out time to complete a few important financial chores...