Articles in this category cover the legal side of preparing for retirement, including pensions and Social Security, workplace retirement plans (401(k)s and IRAs), required minimum distributions, and beneficiary designations. You’ll also find guidance on estate planning, healthcare and long-term care planning, and protecting assets through trusts, powers of attorney, and related legal tools.
A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is the court order required to divide most ERISA retirement plans in divorce without triggering immediate taxes or early-withdrawal penalties. It directs the plan administrator to pay a set share to an ex-spouse or dependent as an “alternate payee.” This article explains what a QDRO is, when you need […]
A frozen pension earned during marriage is typically a marital asset and may be split in divorce, often 50/50 in community-property states. Division is usually done with a QDRO or similar court order that sets each spouse’s share without triggering immediate taxes. This article explains valuation methods, step-by-step division, and how to protect your retirement […]
Gray divorce—divorce after age 50—now accounts for roughly 1 in 3 divorces in the U.S. As more couples split near or in retirement, the financial fallout can be immediate, especially when Social Security and survivor benefits change based on marital history and timing. This article explains how retirement-age divorces affect Social Security eligibility, benefit calculations, […]
