Income

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for those on Social Security might be the highest it’s been in more than two decades due to recent inflation. Here’s what you need to know.

Think retirement is predictable? Actually, many retirees find their needs, wants, and wishes can change over time. It’s best to be prepared financially.

If you’ve been divorced for at least two years, you can collect from a spouse’s Social Security benefits as early as age 62, so long as you stay single.

A self-directed IRA means you're in charge of asset selection and management, so it’s important to understand your choices.

Learn why some investors are turning to home rentals for an additional retirement income stream.

If your retirement plans are short on cash or long on time, consider a part-time job to ease the transition and delay the withdrawals from your nest egg.

Bonds are typically considered a more conservative investment that can help diversify your portfolio and attempt to ride out stock market volatility.

Ready for retirement planning? Here are nine categories to help you start budgeting for retirement.

New RMD rules require withdrawing funds from your IRA and 401(k) at 72. If you don’t take the required minimum distribution, you could face a tax penalty.

It seems like a no-brainer to delay taking Social Security, but it might work better to claim your benefits early. Here are five reasons it may make sense.

Considering options trading? Start with the basics of puts and calls and how to create single-leg strategies with call and put options.

If you’re considering adding preferred stocks to your portfolio, know the benefits, characteristics, and risks.

Trying to figure out what to do with bonus money? You don’t have to decide whether to save or spend. Here’s how to meet several goals at once.

Are you on track to have income that lasts throughout your retirement? Learn six steps to help answer this question and create a retirement income plan.

Considering exchange-traded funds (ETFs)? Understand fit, style, and value before you shop.

Markets—and the economy in general—tend to run in cycles, and each phase tends to favor certain sectors. Learn how sector investing can help investors seek specific objectives.

Even if you got a late start on saving for retirement, there are ways to catch up on contributions to your 401(k) or IRA to have better chances of a successful life after work.

Many retirees are surprised to learn that, above a certain income threshold, Social Security can be subject to taxation. Here are strategies to consider.

Fixed index annuities help balance growth and capital preservation in your portfolio. You receive a fixed interest payment from the annuity but also limit your upside and downside potential. You could consider investing in a fixed index annuity when you're close to retirement.

Looking forward to a big bonus? Here are some ways you can use that bonus to help further your financial goals.

Redesigned annuities are less expensive and easier to understand and buy, yet still customizable. They can be a vital hedge against outliving your assets.

New to income investing? Learn about three approaches: dividends from equity holdings, interest from bonds and fixed-income securities, and income from a multi-asset portfolio. Each comes with its own potential benefits and risks.

Dividend reinvesting can be a powerful compounding tool, but you might consider taking the income for other purposes.

Unexpected events can get in the way as you prepare for and enter retirement. Here are some tips on how to try and mitigate their potential impact.

Learn how Social Security works and how to maximize your benefits and retirement income.

Learn how the TD Ameritrade I-Portfolio tool can help you monitor and analyze your fixed-income investments.

Retirement planning is no small task. As life spans increase, you may have to add caring for your aging parents to your own list of retirement concerns.

Here’s why you need to keep your retirement money growing even when you’re already using it (hint: inflation and longevity).

Learn the potential benefits and pitfalls of reverse mortgages, including what to look for and what to avoid.

How might rising interest rates impact your retirement portfolio planning? Learn how rising rates can affect fixed income investments.

Learn why you might want to consider dividends as a potential source of retirement income and how you can incorporate them into your retirement income plan.

Unless changes are made in the near future, the U.S. Social Security system may become underfunded, leaving future retiree benefits in doubt. How should you prepare?

Either by choice or circumstances, many people, especially women, may find themselves having to manage financially on a single income. Check out this blueprint to help you meet your needs and pursue your savings goals on a one-income budget.

Learn four financial principles and objectives to consider as you approach your retirement years.

Feeling financially conservative at retirement age? Your golden years need not be totally devoid of growth investments.

As the year winds down, it’s time to assess your retirement accounts, look at your retirement plan and determine if you should make an annual contribution.

Annuities might be a good way to protect principal or guarantee retirement income. Learn how rising interest rates might affect annuity rates.

In low-interest rate environment, investors sometimes look to dividend-paying stocks as a mean of generating income.

Social Security offers extra benefits to those who delay retirement, but few do. Learn why waiting might make sense for some people.

Learn why estate plans aren’t just for the wealthy, and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Annuities are a retirement vehicle that can ride side-saddle with Social Security income and pensions. But they’re not for everyone.

When retirement planning, there are many things to consider while assessing your income, expenses and assets. These 6 steps can help turn your goals into acti

Sector investing can help align investments to specific objectives. For investors with many years before retirement, focus on traditional growth sectors.

You've worked hard to save for retirement, so now it's important to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Is a dynamic approach to retirement fund drawdowns right for you? Go beyond the 4% rule and explore other strategies.

When considering how and when to draw down your retirement funds, look beyond the 4% rule and consider sequence of return risk.

Part 1 of the 4-part "Drawing it Down" series looks at the 4% rule, and why the rule-of-thumb drawdown strategy may be in need of tweaks.

Even those who are successful at building wealth aren’t necessarily done with their investment journey. Often, investors need assistance planning how to make

Looking for an income stream, and maybe a post-retirement career where you can be your own boss? Perhaps a franchise is in your future.

Unless changes are made in the near future, the U.S. Social Security system may become underfunded, leaving future retiree benefits in doubt. How should you p

Here are six strategies to consider when planning for retirement on your own.

Covered calls are one way to earn income from stocks you own. Learn more about how to sell covered calls and strategically select strike prices.

For retirees, the recent dip to record low U.S. bond yields poses a challenge. Will investors be forced into more dangerous investments?

There’s about $174.9 billion of untapped real estate in America. Are you ready to rent out a spare bedroom?

ETFs have matured but they’re not done evolving. Morningstar’s Scott Burns urges income-seeking investors to expand their minds and their research.

Our chief market strategist breaks down the day's top business stories and offers insight on how they might impact your trading and investing.

New Social Security rules eliminate the double-claiming used by married couples to grow benefits. Here’s what you need to know about this change to retirement

Looking for new ways to win in the stock market? Dividend-paying stocks can be quite attractive.

Income-focused option trades succeed when the market doesn’t move that much. Learn how to recognize income opportunity.

After years of contributing to your IRA, making withdrawals can take some getting used to. We’ve gathered some possible alternatives to help you manage your mandatory withdrawals.

Dynamic withdrawal retirement income strategy is quite a mouthful. The math is necessarily complex, too. But the concept is simple and playing an increasing role in baby boomer retirement planning.

Easy monetary policies have left income investors in a lurch. But exchange-traded funds (ETFs), REITs, master limited partnerships (MLPs), and preferred stocks can help fill the gap.

Some investors are considering preferred stocks with yields as traditional fixed income assets grind along at historical lows and look to rise moderately under a go-slow Federal Reserve approach.

If you choose to use trading as a source of retirement income, it’s important to keep in mind the risks that come along with the potential rewards.

The global financial crisis and other recent market developments raise questions over the validity of the 4% withdrawal guideline for retirement funds.

Learn how to use select options strategies to earn income on your stock portfolio.

First in a series of brief, instructional articles that start at the beginning and build to combining and applying basic option trading principles in more complex strategies, including spreads.

Where retirement planning and reality intersect, tough decisions loom. TD Ameritrade retirees share what they know now that they wish they knew then.