Retirement Timing

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A woman lifts a stone weight from a sturdy bench, beneath “Relief today. Resources tomorrow.”

Ross Marino | Sep 23, 2026

Should You Use Retirement Savings to Pay Off Credit Cards After 59½ While Still Working?

IRA

Retirement Income

Retirement Spending

Tax Planning

Retirement Timing

After 59½, paying off credit cards with retirement savings still involves taxes. Compare paying now, staging the payoff, and using earnings while protecting

A dark wooden doorway opens toward a sunlit blue entrance and courtyard beside the words “A different role. A different choice.”

Ross Marino | Sep 22, 2026

Could a Different Job Change When You Want to Retire?

Work & Identity

Retirement Timing

Retirement Income

A different role may change what work asks of you and what it gives back. Compare the real offer with retirement before deciding whether to keep or change your

A bronze worker reaches toward a large weighted lever beneath the question “Can the reversal fit?”

Ross Marino | Sep 22, 2026

Should You Withdraw a Social Security Application After Returning to Work?

Social Security

Work & Identity

Retirement Timing

Retirement Income

Returning to work may make a Social Security withdrawal worth reviewing. Check the deadline, whether you must repay it in full, your Medicare options, and

A cluster of blue ceramic vessels sits beside a receding row of copper bowls beneath “Money now. Income later.”

Ross Marino | Sep 22, 2026

Should You Accept Retroactive Social Security Benefits When You Apply After Full Retirement Age?

Social Security

Retirement Income

Retirement Timing

A retroactive Social Security payment can change your benefit start date and later income. Understand the tradeoff before accepting the lump sum.

Two older women talk outside a university building beneath the words “Renew with a reason.”

Ross Marino | Sep 20, 2026

How Should You Decide Whether to Renew a Professional License After Retiring?

Work & Identity

Retirement Timing

Renewal can preserve a useful option—or maintain an obligation you no longer want. Compare likely future work with the cost and difficulty of returning later.

An older adult looks through a giant open book toward an observatory and starry sky, beneath the words “Stay curious.”

Ross Marino | Sep 19, 2026

Should You Pay for a Multi-Year Learning Program Soon After Retiring?

Work & Identity

Retirement Spending

Retirement Timing

A learning program may offer structure and connection. Before paying for several years, compare the full commitment with what you already know about the

A couple checks how travel bags and a folded beach chair fit in the open cargo area of their familiar car.

Ross Marino | Sep 18, 2026

Should You Buy Out a Car Lease as Retirement Approaches?

Retirement Spending

Retirement Timing

As your lease ends, compare the full cost of keeping a familiar car with a realistic replacement—and decide which better fits your next stage of driving.