Author: Robert Powell, Special to USA TODAY

Not everyone’s an expert on Social Security. But planning ahead and understanding survivor benefits can avoid budget disaster after a spouse’s death.

A target-date fund is a fund of mutual funds that becomes more conservative with time. Here’s what you should know about this retirement saving tool.

You filed your 2018 tax return.Don’t stuff it in a file cabinet just yet. Review it to uncover steps you can take now to lower your 2019 tax bill.

You’ve filed your taxes and now it’s time to make good on your promise to “spring clean” your finances.

Retirement planning mistakes, especially Social Security, 401(k) and IRA blunders, can be costly. Here are some errors that you can fix, thought.

The odds of being unable to work because of sickness or injury are greater than the odds of a premature death. Millennials should think about that.

Retirement expert Robert Powell tackles your questions on Social Security benefits, purchasing service credits. medicare and health insurance.

If you’re like many would-be retirees, you’ll likely “retire from” something – a job or boss you hate – and not “to something.”

As benefits go, few compare with those offered by Social Security to spouses.But what are some mistakes you can make, and how can you avoid them?

I’m trying to decide when to claim Social Security. I am 63 and my wife is 62.