Northam will propose to pay off the debt at the end of the current fiscal year on June 30. He also will propose to reduce the liabilities for other post-employee benefits, such as retiree health credits, which are currently underfunded and require higher ongoing contributions by state and local governments.

The lower we can push down these liabilities, the better it is for everybody, Layne said.

VRS officials say the payment will not affect employer rates in the current two-year budget, but will result in lower costs in the next budget.

The extra money coming in will essentially moderate future rates, said Rory Badura, senior staff actuary for the retirement system.

The proposed payments also would partly offset the higher rates that the state and local governments already have begun to pay since the VRS decided last year to lower its expected long-term annual return on investments from 7% to 6.75% a year.

The decision reflected diminished expectations for investment income that pays for most of the retirement costs for almost 750,000 active, retired or inactive employees in the $85 billion system.

The lower the investment income, the higher the contributions that state and local governments must pay in their annual budgets. The lower investment return is estimated to cost $216 million a year in contributions from public employers, including about $94 million a year from the state general fund budget, which relies on state taxes to pay for core government services.

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Northam to spend $100 million to reduce teacher retirement liabilities - Richmond.com

Beware these 15 worst states for taxes on your retirement

Maybe you want to spend your retirement somewhere sunny. Or maybe a view of the mountains is more your style.

But before you start making plans, its worth looking at the tax situation in any state youre considering. Some places impose significantly harsher taxes on retirees than others.

Our rankings take into consideration how much tax each state imposes on retirement income, any state-imposed estate or inheritance taxes, and the Tax Foundations estimates for average state and local sales taxes and the average, effective property tax. We also highlight some of the tax credits and exclusions seniors may qualify for.

An expert can help you look at your options. Certified financial planners who are "fiduciaries" have strategies just for retirees and they're bound by law to put your interests first.

Here are the 15 worst states when it comes to taxing retirees, counting down to the state where seniors face the worst tax burdens.

Tax on retirement income: Yes

State income tax: 5% flat rate

Average property tax: 1.15% of home value

Average state and local sales tax: 6.25%

Massachusetts does not tax Social Security benefits or government pension income, but most other retirement income is taxed at a flat rate of 5%.

The Bay State has the 18th-highest average property tax rate in the country, with owners of a $350,000 house paying roughly $4,025 in tax per year.

Fortunately, residents over the age of 65 who earn less than a certain amount (for the 2020 tax year, thats $61,000 for individuals and $92,000 for married couples who file jointly) are eligible for a property tax credit of up to $1,150.

Massachusetts also has an estate tax a tax on the fair market value of your assets after you die ranging from 0.8% to 16% on estates worth over $1 million. This $1 million threshold is tied with Oregon's for the lowest in the country.

Tax on retirement income: Yes

State income tax: 0% to 4.797% (highest rate applies to incomes over $217,400)

Average property tax: 1.62% of home value

Average state and local sales tax: 7.17%

The Buckeye State does not tax Social Security benefits, although income from most other retirement accounts is taxed as regular income.

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Seniors aged 65 or older can claim a retirement income credit of up to $200 per year on sources of income other than their Social Security, as well as a senior citizen tax credit of $50.

Ohios property taxes are the ninth-highest in the country, but seniors who earn less than a certain amount ($33,600 during the 2020 tax year) may qualify for the homestead exemption, which exempts up to $25,000 of their homes market value fromlocal property taxes.

Calculate how much more you need to save each month to reach your retirement nest egg goal.

Tax on retirement income: Yes

State income tax: 2% to 5.75% (highest rate applies to incomes over $250,000)

Average property tax: 1.04% of home value

Average state and local sales tax: 6.00%

Although Maryland is known as the Free State, dont expect much in the way of freebies if youre planning to retire there. While Social Security benefits are not subject to state income tax, most other forms of retirement income are.

On the bright side, residents 65 or older may qualify for an exclusion of up to $31,100 on distributions from 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans and income from public and private pensions.

In addition to a state income tax of 2% to 5.75%, Marylands 23 counties and Baltimore City also levy local income taxes ranging between 2.5% and 3.2% of residents taxable income.

Property taxes in Maryland also are fairly high, with the owner of a $350,000 home paying around $3,640 a year. Maryland also is the only state in the country to charge both an estate tax and an inheritance tax: Estates are taxed, and so are the heirs who receive a deceased persons assets.

Tax on retirement income: Yes

State income tax: 5.80% to 7.15% (highest rate applying to incomes over $52,600)

Average property tax: 1.27% of home value

Average state and local sales tax: 5.50%

Retiring in the Pine Tree State is not all bad: Maine doesnt tax Social Security benefits, and retirees can deduct up to $10,000 of eligible pension income.

However, all other forms of retirement income are subject to state income tax rates as high as 7.15%, with the highest rate applying to anyone with an income of more than $52,600.

Maines property taxes are also pricey, plus Maine charges an estate tax ranging from 8% to 12% on estates valued above $5.7 million. Fortunately, the sales tax in the state is lower than average, and Maine does not allow cities or towns to impose any local sales tax.

To get reach retirement faster, consider building your nest egg through an fee-free investment app.

Tax on retirement income: Yes

State income tax: 1% to 13.30% (highest rate applies to incomes over $1,000,000)

Average property tax: 0.74% of home value

Average state and local sales tax: 8.66%

Lets start with some good news: If youre planning to retire in the Golden State, your Social Security benefits are exempt from state income taxes.

Unfortunately, all of your other retirement income is fully taxable, and at the highest tax rate in the country if you earn more than $1 million a year. (If thats the case, well done.)

Another bright spot for retirees is that the average property tax rate in California is quite low; on a home worth $350,000 youll only pay around $2,590. However, its worth noting that California has the highest state sales tax in the country at 7.25%, and the cost of living is 18% higher than the national average.

If you need a bit of help navigating California's complex tax rules, work online with a certified financial planner who can tailor you a tax-light retirement plan.

Tax on retirement income: Yes, but deductible up to $20,000

State income tax: 4% to 8.82% (highest rate applies to incomes over $1,077,550)

Average property tax: 1.40% of home value

Average state and local sales tax: 8.52%

Social Security benefits and military pensions are exempt from state taxes in New York. But the Empire State has the 14th highest property tax rate in the country, with the average taxes on a $350,000 house costing around $4,900.

The good news is that tax breaks are available for seniors at the local level. Local governments and school districts have the option to reduce the assessed value of a seniors home by up to 50%, depending on the seniors income.

Some seniors may also qualify for a School Tax Relief (STAR) exemption, in which the first $66,800 of their home value is exempt from school property taxes. In order to be eligible, youll need to be at least 65 years of age and have had an annual household income below a certain threshold ($86,300 or less during the 2019-2020 school year).

In addition to property taxes, retired New Yorkers also have to consider the combined state and local sales tax, which is the 10th highest in the country, as well as an estate tax of 3.06% to 16% on estates worth $5.9 million or more.

Tax on retirement income: No

State income tax: 4.95% flat rate

Average property tax: 2.05% of home value

Average state and local sales tax: 9.08%

Retirees planning to settle down in the Land of Lincoln had better start saving their pennies (or start taking photos of their grocery receipts), because Illinois has the second-highest average property tax rate in the country.

An owner of a $350,000 house pays roughly $7,175 a year in property taxes, although some seniors in Illinois may qualify for a homestead exemption of up to $8,000, depending on which part of the state they live in.

Aside from the high property taxes, Illinois residents are also subject to the sixth-highest combined state and local sales tax in the U.S., as well as an estate tax ranging from 0.8% to 16% on estates above $4 million.

On the bright side, the states flat 4.95% income tax rate is quite low, and income from most retirement plans including Social Security benefits is exempt from state taxes.

Tax on retirement income: Yes, but minimal below $60,000

State income tax: 1.40% to 10.75% (highest rate applies to incomes over $5 million)

Average property tax: 2.21%

Average state and local sales tax: 6.60%

For retirees in the Garden State, property taxes are the biggest weed in the flower bed. New Jersey has the highest average property tax rate in the country: The owner of a $350,000 home has to shell out around $7,735 each year.

New Jersey provides some relief for retirees through its Senior Freeze program, which reimburses eligible seniors for property tax increases. Additionally, senior citizens with an annual household income of $10,000 or less qualify for a property tax deduction of $250.

Most Americans can cushion the blow from high property taxes by cutting costs on their home insurance many people overpay by $1,100.

Social Security benefits are not taxed in New Jersey, but while the state eliminated its estate tax in 2018, it still charges an inheritance tax of 11% to 16% on inherited property worth $500 or more.

Tax on retirement income: Yes

State income tax: 3.75% to 5.99% (highest rate applies to incomes over $148,350)

Average property tax: 1.53% of home value

Average state and local sales tax: 7.00%

Rhode Island may offer scenic views of the Atlantic, but you can expect to be hit with a tidal wave of taxation if you decide to retire in the Ocean State. All retirement income is fully taxable, including Social Security benefits, as long as it is also taxed federally.

However, residents earning a certain amount or less ($85,150 for individuals and $106,400 for joint filers in 2019) are exempt from paying state tax on their Social Security benefits.

Property taxes in Rhode Island are the 10th highest in the country, although homeowners 65 or older whose income is $30,000 or less are eligible for a state tax credit. And if you're still carrying a mortgage, you could be due for a money-saving refinance.

Rhode Island also has an estate tax ranging from 0.8% to 16% on estates worth more than $1.6 million, making it one of only a few states that tax estates valued at under $2 million.

Tax on retirement income: Yes

State income tax: 3.35% to 8.75% (highest rate applies to incomes over $204,000)

Average property tax: 1.80% of home value

Average state and local sales tax: 6.22%

If you retire in Vermont, the government will tap your income just like one of the states maple trees. The Green Mountain State taxes all forms of retirement income at rates between 3.35% and 8.75%, and that includes Social Security benefits.

However, individuals who earn an adjusted gross income of $45,000 or less, and joint-filing couples who earn $60,000 or less, are eligible for full exemptions from state Social Security tax.

Vermont also charges a flat 16% estate tax on any estate that exceeds $2.8 million in value. And, property taxes are quite pricey, with the average tax on a $350,000 house coming to around $6,300.

Fortunately, some retired homeowners may qualify for Vermonts Elderly and Permanently Disabled Tax Credit, which is worth 24% of the federal credit for elderly and permanently disabled individuals.

Tax on retirement income: Yes

State income tax: 5.35% to 9.85% (highest rate applies to incomes over $164,401)

Average property tax: 1.44%

Average state and local sales tax: 7.46%

Minnesota taxes all forms of retirement income including Social Security benefits with the exception of military pensions.

However, thanks to the North Star States progressive tax system, households earning less than $23,900 are exempt from paying state taxes on their Social Security benefits. The state also offers a special income tax deduction for seniors who make $61,080 or less, or $78,180 or less for couples who file jointly.

Property taxes in Minnesota are the 13th highest in the country, with owners of a $350,000 home paying around $5,040 a year.

The state's residents also are subject to an estate tax of 13% to 16% on estates valued at more than $3 million, although assets left to a surviving spouse are exempt.

Tax on retirement benefits: Yes

State income tax: 4% to 7.65% (highest rate applies to incomes over $263,480)

Average property tax: 1.73% of home value

Average state and local sales tax: 5.46%

Although all Social Security benefits and income from government pensions are exempt from state taxes in Wisconsin, any other retirement income is fully taxable at rates ranging from 3.86% to 7.65%.

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Beware these 15 worst states for taxes on your retirement - Yahoo Finance

Personal Finance Insider writes about products, strategies, and tips to help you make smart decisions with your money. We may receive a small commission from our partners, like American Express, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

One of the biggest challenges of retirement is saving for it. But another challenge is that you only do it once.

When you've done something once, you have an idea of how to do it again for example, once you've bought your first home, buying your next home feels a lot less intimidating. But retirement isn't like that it's not something you have another shot at later on.

Luckily, lots of people have retired comfortably and are willing to share the steps they took to do so. Here, we've compiled the best advice from four retired people for anyone who's looking forward to a long and happy retirement.

Business Insider contributor Sean, of The Money Wizard, didn't find out that his grandfather was a millionaire until he was comfortably retired.

For years when Sean was growing up, his grandfather drank the cheapest beer, pinched pennies, and drove older-model cars. His grandfather brought in an average salary and never earned a college degree while raising five children. But eventually, Sean found out his grandfather had a retirement account worth $1.2 million.

"My grandpa eventually let me in on his secret: Wealth doesn't mean earning a lot of money. Nor does it mean spending a lot of money. Instead, wealth is all about investing inincome-producing assets,"Sean writes.

One of the biggest factors in building wealth through investing is how long investments can stay in the market. He learned early that investing consistantly and earning average stock market returns could help him grow his savings over his long career.

"He only needed to invest about $8,000 per year for his portfolio to grow from nothing to $1.2 million," Sean writes. And he focused on buying assets and investments instead of things.

Sean says that his grandfather's advice has helped him get on track to hit $6.8 million at age 60, or retire early.

Writer Michelle Jackson's grandmother only started saving for retirement 10 years before she retired. Jackson's conversations with her grandmother confirmed that it's never too late to start saving.

Jackson's grandmother started saving 10% to 15% of her paychecks in her 50s. And it all worked out she retired comfortably in her 60s. And she's happy, Jackson writes. "In observing my grandmother's financial habits, I found myself realizing that she feels quite wealthy. She has enough. Enough money for the things she enjoys."

Like Sean of The Money Wizard, Business Insider contributor Eric Rosenberg didn't know his grandfather was a millionaire until later in his life. Rosenberg's grandfather using a simple buy-and-hold investment strategy to reach millionaire status, while similarly not flaunting it.

Buying and holding shares is exactly as it sounds: buying shares of stock and keeping them for years. While it isn't the most glamorous way to invest, Rosenberg's grandfather is proof that it works. "Picking good companies and sticking with them can pay off very well in the long run. He didn't follow some get-rich-quick scheme," Rosenberg writes. "He picked solid companies and held on as they grew in value over time."

While Rosenberg's grandfather built his portfolio by buying into Walmart very early on, it's also possible to use ETFs to invest in multiple companies at once and see growth. "Buying a low-cost S&P 500 ETF and investing more steadily over time gives you investment exposure to 500 of the biggest stocks in the United States. If history continues to repeat itself, chances are good you would do well with that type of investment over time," he writes. Index funds can also be used, which track individual industries the way S&P 500 tracks the largest 500 companies.

Buy-and-hold investing doesn't require much maintenance when stocks simply sit and grow over many years. It's a relatively simple strategy that's a great option for anyone who still has many years before retirement.

For many people, retirement is lasting longer. Personally, I learned about the benefits of long-term care insurance, a type of insurance that can help pay for assisted living and in-home care later in life, from my grandmother, as I've previously written.

When my parents could no longer care for my grandmother full-time, my grandma's experience moving into an assisted living facility taught me just how important long-term care insurance is, especially for women who tend to live longer. Typically, this type of insurance is most affordable to purchase between ages 52 and 64.

Now in her 90s, my grandma had a long and comfortable retirement before moving into the facility. But, having that coverage helped to make sure she could afford to do so, and continue to live comfortably in her later years.

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4 pieces of advice to help you retire comfortably, according to people who have done it - Business Insider

Investors have been challenged like never before in 2020 as the pandemic took the market from the record highs that marked the start of the year, to the brink of a depression by the end of March, and back to record highs.

And if daily headlines about Covid-19 and its economic impact werent enough, many investors are grappling with conflicting emotions: boredom and anxiety, hope and fear, gratitude and guilt. These emotions can be particularly debilitating to retirement savers, whose decisions today can have a lasting impact on their ability to amass enough for a decadeslong retirement.

It can be difficult to make sound, emotion-free investment decisions in even the most typical of times, but the environment today could be a case study in bad behavior. We are just constantly stressed in a way that were not used to, and in an environment that is so uncertain and ambiguous, says Maria Konnikova, an author with Ph.D. in psychology who specializes in decision making. (Please see our conversation with Konnikova.)

Yet as the stock markets round trip has shown, the biggest influence on our retirement savings might not be what we hear on the news or read on social media. Its how we respond to it.

And how have we responded?

When markets tanked in March, many investors did exactly what they were supposed to dostayed the course and in many cases increased their retirement contributions. Still, a large share of investors cashed out or remained on the sidelines, fearing that the worst was yet to comeand who can blame them? Losing money, especially if youre counting on this cash to cover near-term expenses, is perhaps more painful than missing out on market gains.

Investors generally grapple with two elements of decision making: the impact of the decision and the emotion that comes with it. Fear of future regret probably drives more behavior than anything, says Denise Shull, a former trader and CEO of the ReThink Group, a decision-making and performance consultancy.

Its impossible to know what the future holds, but there are strategies for avoiding the biggest behavioral mistakes. In fact, by focusing more on the process for making decisions and less on whether a decision is good or bad, you have a better chance for successand a lower probability of driving yourself crazy.

The Covid-19 pandemic has given rise to all kinds of new habits and behaviors, and that includes what Charles Schwab chief investment strategist Liz Ann Sonders calls a new breed of day trader. With new apps such as Robinhood and Webull at their disposal, investors of all ages have taken to trading individual stocks and even options.

Daily trading volume driven by individual investors has averaged 20% this yeardouble what it was in 2019and approached 25% on peak days, according to Citadel Securities. Meanwhile, options premiums paid by individuals reached an all-time high in August, and after declining in late October, they are up again. There is more volume in single-share options than there is in the actual shares themselves, Sonders says.

Is it any wonder that many investors have a newfound interest in the stock market? Rising stocks can offer a nice dopamine hit in the absence of good newsand the market has continued to reach new highs as the news has been largely bleak.

Ive never had so many friends and family members so interested in investing, says Sarah Newcomb, a behavioral economist for Morningstar. She points to a combination of factors: many people have more time on their handsand more money in their pockets. Trading stocks was among the more common uses for the $1,200 stimulus cash, according to Envestnet Yodlee, a software and data-aggregation company.

Its a perfect storm for DIY investors, Newcomb says.

In fact, one of the unusual things about the Covid-19 market is that while the selloff was fast and extreme, so was the recovery. We have seen an entire market cycle condensed into an incredibly short span of time, says Sonders, explaining that investor sentiment is affected by both the severity and the duration of bear markets. This helps explain the lack of pervasive despair that investors typically have in a deep bear market.

The payoff for staying invested came quickly, and for investors who stayed put or bought on the dips, the markets return reinforced their beliefs. I think peoples recollections of 2000 and 2009how in hindsight it was a good time to stay invested or enter the marketdid play a role in turning the market around, says George Lowenstein, a professor of economics and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University. Now it seems to be fueling itself.

Confirmation bias, or the tendency for people to hear what they want to hear, is running rampant. There seems to be an asymmetric reaction to news, says Lowenstein, explaining that any bit of good news sends the market higher, while bad news seems to have little impact.

Advice: The conventional wisdom from most experts on trading individual stocks or options is simple: Dont do it. While options can be a tool for managing risk, speculating with options can be risky and costly. If you must buy individual stocks, wager only with money youre prepared to loseand that means money you might have otherwise spent on travel or other entertainment, not retirement.

Set a budget for buying individual stocks and create a dedicated account. Next, write out your investment processfor example, your logic for buyingand your exit strategy on when to take profits on winners or unload losers. You need to articulate exactly why you are buying a stock and under what parameters you will get out, ReThinks Shull says.

A key part of the process, she adds, is deciding which experts to follow. Theres so much information out there, much of it conflicting, she says. Identify a few smart sources that resonate with you, she says, and tune out the others.

Investors who stayed invested or upped the ante on equities have, in many cases, been rewarded. But now investors need to make sense of a market that seems at odds with the current economic reality. This was what prompted some investors to cash out during the March selloff and never get back in, or put their contributions on hold while they wait for a signal that the coast is clear or confirmation that they made the right decisions.

People look at the apparent disconnect and it becomes a reason to justify not being in the market, says Jurrien Timmer, Fidelitys director of global macro.

Fear is obviously a big driver, and understandably. Investors shouldnt discount fear, says Shull, but neither should they blindly trust it. Instead, she recommends going through the exercise of whats the worst that can happen. Not only can this help identify blind spots in a plan or important precautions to take, it can also help investors take more appropriate amounts of risk.

People often go straight to the worst possible outcome, but if they really think through it logically they realize that the worst case isnt that bad, and it changes their willingness to tolerate the feeling of risk, Shull says. So much of that is tolerating your feelings; separating valid information from the irrelevant impulses.

Advice: Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer at Independent Advisor Alliance, says one way to address this fear is to do an analysis of what a sustained downturn would do to your portfolio, and how that affects your retirement timeline or income. In many cases, weathering the downturn is better than missing out on long-term gains.

It can help investors feel more comfortable with risk, he says. They understand that even under some of the worst scenarios, their nest egg will be protected and they can make it through.

For investors who are still anxiety-ridden, Ric Edelman, founder of Edelman Financial Engines, has a few suggestions. First, his firm is counseling clients of all ages to increase their emergency savings to cover up to two years of living expenses so they dont have to worry about selling assets in a down market.

The next move is to consider reducing equity exposure, he says. Going from a 60% stock allocation to 50%, for example, will be less detrimental than cashing out entirely.

For clients who cant stomach any exposure to stocks right now, he offers this compromise: Go to cash but with a concrete plan to dollar-cost-average back into the market within a predetermined period of time, such as six months to a year.

This might be the most common mistake investors makeand unlike speculating on individual stocks or sitting on too much cash, its a mistake that is a little harder to pin down.

When the market was at its most volatile earlier this year, investors did not run for the hills but they were making changes to their accounts, says Cory Clark, chief marketing officer of Dalbar, which found that nearly a third of investors working with traditional or robo-advisors reallocated their assets during the Covid market crisis.

Notably, they shifted from passive funds to more active strategies. They also shifted between sectors, such as by increasing exposure to technology and precious metals. The decisions seem rational at first glance, but did they work? We saw a lot of bouncing around but didnt see greater alpha, Clark says, referring to Wall Street parlance for excess returns.

Barrons brings retirement planning and advice to you in a weekly wrap-up of our articles about preparing for life after work.

During times of uncertainty, making changes in a portfolio offers a sense that you are actually able to make decisions about risk that you cant make in your daily life anymore, says Dan Egan, managing director of behavioral finance and investing at robo-advisor Betterment. One of the things we know is that people hate doing nothing when they are in an anxiety-provoking situation.

It might feel good in the moment, but the data show that over time the odds are stacked against investors who try to time the top or the bottom or rotations in styles or sectors. Myriad studies have shown that active traders tend to have subpar results over time, while buy-and-hold investors earn the highest returns over time.

Take heart. Even professionals grapple with this. The quintessential challenge is how can you be fully engaged but detached, says Fidelitys Timmer, who points out that markets are in a 10% correction about 50% of the time. You have to do what you can to keep that separation or balance. I go on very long bike rides. I try not to overread short-term market commentary. I barely watch news on television, even though Im on the shows.

Advice: Its an old saw, but this is why having a plan is critical, the experts say. A plan can also help to articulate all of the factors behind your decisions. Professional investors refer to this as their processground rules for why and when they buy or sell a security.

The best way to prevent your emotions from dictating your behavior is to establish a rules-based strategy, says Edelman, who adds that these issues are compounded when spouses have opposing views. While youre calm and contemplative, you can establish a set of guidelines that you agree to follow.

The upshot: You cant control everything that is going on in the world, but you can control your process for making decisions. Your focus has to be on process, says Konnikova, the psychologist and decision-making expert, because thats the only thing you can control.

Write to us at retirement@barrons.com

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Common Mistakes That Could Derail Your Retirement and How to Avoid Them - Barron's

One of the most important investing decisions you'll need to make is exactly where to put your money. Index funds are a great option for retirement because they're a relatively safe choice that can limit your risk.

But can you retire a millionaire by investing in index funds? It's possible, if you have a strategy in place.

Image source: Getty Images.

Index funds are large collections of stocks that track a particular stock market index, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Like any investment, there are pros and cons for index funds:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Despite the downsides, index funds can be a great investment when saving for retirement. And if you start saving early enough, you may be able to retire a millionaire.

Because index funds offer slow but steady growth, you'll ideally need to invest for several decades to accumulate $1 million. But if you save consistently, index funds can be a reliable way to build a healthy retirement fund.

Say, for example, you have 30 years before you retire and you want to save $1 million. The S&P 500 has experienced an average annual return of around 10% since its inception, and if your index funds also earn a 10% annual return, you'd need to save just over $500 per month over 30 years to reach the million-dollar mark.

Exactly how much you'd need to save each month will depend on your age, the amount you currently have saved, as well as how many years before you retire. For instance, if you only have 20 years left to save but are still earning a 10% annual return, you'd have to save a whopping $1,500 per month to reach $1 million. So the more time you have to save, the easier it will be to achieve your goal.

Investing in index funds requires patience, because it will take years or even decades to see substantial growth. But because of their diversification and ability to recover from market crashes, they are one of the safest investment options, which can be perfect for investors looking to limit their risk.

Keep in mind, too, that no matter where you choose to invest your money, it's wise to take a long-term investing approach. So even if you invest in individual stocks rather than index funds, you should still aim to buy solid stocks and keep your money invested for as long as possible.

Your goal when investing in the stock market shouldn't be to get rich quickly. So be prepared to stay invested for the long haul no matter where you put your money. If you choose to invest in index funds, starting early and saving consistently can help you retire a millionaire.

See the article here:
Can You Retire a Millionaire With Index Funds? - The Motley Fool

When it comes to Medicare, you have choices -- you can stick to original Medicare (Parts A and B, plus a Part D drug plan), or you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. The latter option could actually be more beneficial than you'd think. Not only do many Advantage plans cover services that original Medicare won't, like dental care, but they also offer lifestyle benefits, like gym and wellness perks that keep you healthy and also, busy. It pays to see which Advantage plans are available in your area when your next opportunity to switch your coverage arises.

You deserve to enjoy retirement to the fullest -- whatever that happens to mean for you. These moves will put you on the road to doing just that.

The $16,728 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook

If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $16,728 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.

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A Happier Retirement Could Be Yours if You Do These Things - Journal Gazette and Times-Courier

Walking and running are both suitable forms of exercise for weight loss and heart health. The benefits and risks depend on a persons goals and current level of health and fitness.

While both activities allow a person to burn calories, lose weight, and lower their risk of heart disease, there is much debate over which is better.

Read on to learn more about the benefits and risks.

Cardiovascular exercise is also known simply as cardio. It often uses major muscle groups in the body, gets the heart pumping faster, and increases breathing rate.

Walking and running are both types of cardio.

Cardio exercises offer numerous health benefits, including:

One study examined the benefits of exercise for mental health and found that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking, was enough to reduce anxiety and depression, alongside its other health benefits.

Walking and running provide similar health benefits, but running has a calorie-burning edge over walking.

According to the American Council on Exercise, a person who is 160 pounds burns approximately 15.1 calories per minute while running. In contrast, a person of the same weight burns around 8.7 calories per minute walking.

The number of calories a person burns while walking and running depends on several factors, including:

Running burns more calories per minute than walking. However, walkers can still burn the same number of calories by doing so for longer.

However, depending on a persons goals, walking and running can still offer the same benefits.

Both walking and running are suitable for losing weight, boosting mental health, and improving overall health.

One study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology concluded that walking and running reduced the risk of hypertension, high cholesterol levels, coronary heart disease, and diabetes.

However, the study did not directly address whether walking or running could benefit heart health and cardio.

Another report by the American Heart Association states that brisk walking at least 150 minutes per week is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Studies have found that storing a lot of fat in the midsection is associated with the risk of diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Whether choosing walking or running, exercise can help a person reduce their belly fat.

One study found that regular aerobic exercises, such as walking, reduced belly fat and helped people manage obesity.

Walking and running help burn calories in the body, but they also help reduce belly fat, depending on the intensity of the exercise.

However, running may help reduce belly fat more effectively. One study in 27 middle-aged females with obesity found that those who participated in high-intensity exercise training lost significantly more belly fat than those who did low-intensity exercise or no exercise training for 16 weeks.

Scientists need to perform more research comparing the effects of walking and running on belly fat reduction.

For example, a 2018 review found that low-intensity exercise was more effective in reducing abdominal fat, while high-intensity training had a bigger effect in decreasing overall body fat.

People who want to lose belly fat should consider speaking with their doctor, who can help them determine the best exercise program and diet for their needs.

While running and walking offer various health benefits, including maintaining a healthy weight and improving heart health, they may also come with risks.

There is a higher risk of injury with running than walking. This is because running is of higher intensity and puts more stress on the body the joints in particular.

One study found that walkers have a lower risk of injury, while runners have a high risk.

Some of the most common injuries associated with running include:

For runners, it is crucial to take steps to reduce the risk of running-related injuries.

If a person has concerns about exercise-related injuries, they could consider walking instead, which offers similar health benefits to running, with a reduced risk of injury.

Those with arthritis, heart disease, or other chronic health conditions who are considering running should consult their doctor first.

Depending on a persons goals, walking and running are appropriate forms of exercise. Both can help people maintain a moderate weight and improve their heart health, mental health, and more.

No matter which form of exercise a person chooses, they will see positive results with regular participation.

For those starting a fitness journey, walking might be a more suitable choice since it involves low or moderate intensity. However, for people whose goal is to burn more calories, running may be more appropriate.

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Walking vs. running: Weight loss, heart health, and more - Medical News Today

Your teeth are just a few tiny little parts of your body, but they have a giant impact on your quality of life.

When you dont want to eat food that requires a lot of chewing because it might cause pain, or you avoid hot and cold beverages due to sensitivity, sometimes your dietary options can become limited.

In some cases, tooth pain might even disrupt your whole day and interrupt sleep at night.

If you are experiencing tooth pain, its time to get to the bottom of what might be causing it. Dont brush your pain under the rug and assume its just something you have to deal with. Figuring out the root cause of your discomfort can get you on the right track to fixing it.

Here are some of the things that might be hurting your chompers:

If your gums start to recede, you wont just notice the new look it gives your teeth. Over time, you may begin to experience tooth sensitivity and pain. Receding gums provide more opportunity for plaque and bacteria to damage your teeth.

Bacteria in your mouth can create acids that wear away tooth enamel and allow cavities to form. Tooth decay can cause pain, sensitivity and surface stains on the teeth. Good dental hygiene is crucial to prevent tooth decay. Brushing and flossing regularly helps keep sugary and starchy foods off the surface of the teeth, and fluoride helps with enamel repair.

If your teeth hurt as a result of decay, do not ignore the pain, says Scott Morely, dietary manager at Cedar Crest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Without proper care, tooth decay can lead to loss of teeth and make it more difficult to eat healthy foods.

You may not be aware that you are grinding your teeth, but if you wake up with a headache or sore jaw, theres a good chance it is the culprit. Tooth grinding, or bruxism, is often the result of stress or tension, and it can happen during the day or night. It can wear down the surface of the teeth and cause pain or even broken teeth.

A broken tooth can be just as bad as it sounds, especially if a person experienced trauma such as an accident. It can also be as minor as a small crack. A fracture is a break in the enamel of the tooth, and more serious fractures can cause pain when the tooth pulp is exposed to food and bacteria.

An abscessed tooth is about as much fun as getting a root canal. The pulp in your tooths root can become infected and cause swelling in the gums, and you might notice pain while you eat. When this happens, its time for the canals to be cleaned out and sealed also known as a root canal.

Tooth pain is not a minor issue. It can put a real damper on your quality of life and can even lead to serious health issues. Talk to your dentist and figure out an action plan if you have tooth pain that just wont go away.

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Get to the root cause of tooth pain - Daily Herald

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The TeamUp Fitness Appis the place to find and connect with other fitness gurus and enthusiasts.With the app's emphasis on social interactivity, users are able to meet in-person or virtually with people who make health & fitness a top priority and find partners who are compatible with their fitness goals.App users can find their one true fitness companion - a person who can challenge the user's fitness regimen and help them stay on track with their workout plans through the holiday season and beyond.

In a lot of ways, TeamUp is very similar to some of the most popular dating apps on the market. Each individual user has the ability to create their own personalized profile, specifically designed for fitness enthusiasts to reflect their interests and goals. This, in addition to the messaging and connectivity features, has positioned the TeamUp Fitness App to be the leading "dating app" of the fitness industry.

"As funny as it sounds, finding a great workout partner is a lot like dating, said Frank Peperno, CMO.

"First, you need to do some research and interact with someone to feel out compatibility. From there, you can determine if that person is going to push you and challenge you in hopes that you improve your overall lifestyle. When it comes to fitness, that level of interaction is what TeamUp brings to the table."

On the TeamUp Fitness App, users can find people in their local area who are interested in similar workouts and athletic activities, including gym workouts, weightlifting, indoor cardio, yoga, Pilates, outdoor running, hiking, sports, and more.The app's ability to connect users with people from around the world can help those looking to make new friends and learn more about fitness during a time at which such activities have become challenging.

To learn more about the TeamUp Fitness App, please visit https://www.teamup.fitness.

About TeamUp Fitness

TeamUp Fitness is a community-based platform that's specifically designed for fitness enthusiasts and fitness professionals. Members from all over the world join the platform to meet new friends, workout partners, fitness professionals and nutritionists. TeamUp has positioned itself to be the leading "dating app" of the fitness industry.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Tiffany Kayar [emailprotected]

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get-matched-with-the-fitness.jpeg Get Matched with the Fitness Companion of Your Dreams

SOURCE TeamUp Fitness

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Get Matched with the Fitness Companion of Your Dreams - PRNewswire

Synq.Fit, a smart bike for your whole family, comes with a subscription to curated, instructor-led fitness activities along with live sessions and immersive scenic rides.

New Delhi, 15th Dec 2020:In this COVID-era, where movement is restricted and venturing out is more out of necessity than choice, Health, immunity, and fitness have become the top concerns for everyone. To address these concerns, DIY Fitness Pvt. LTD. is launching a first of its kind, Synq.Fit Bike in India on Dec 15th, Tuesday. Lockdowns and social distancing measures have forced fitness and wellness to take a back seat with gyms either being closed or operating in a limited capacity. A solution to this situation is the Synq.Fit, and presently it is one of the best at-home exercising equipment that can meet your and your familys lifetime fitness needs. The trend for home exercise is on the rise and the Synq.Fit bike will provide users with a whole new way of experiencing connected fitness in this digital world with a monthly subscription to trainer-led live workouts and archived workouts for up to 4 people in a household.

In the last few years, work from home has gained momentum in India, but this nature of work has also blurred the lines between personal and professional lives. While work from home is fabulous for work-life balance, it can lead to many fitness issues in individuals. I believe that technology has an answer for this situation,saidPratik Sud, Co-Founder, Synq.Fit.

Synq.Fit bike is equipped with a LargeInteractive, Full HD Touchscreen Display along with Bluetooth & Wi-Fi connectivity. The bike also comes with an on-demand video library of fitness routines, and the company will also be conducting live sessions every day. With features like zero noise belt drive and multilevel magnetic resistance Synq.Fit bike proves to be a great example of the combination of both technology and fitness. The Synq.Fit bike will also come with a 3-month free subscription to interactive, trainer-led live workouts and archived workouts for up to 4 people in a family/ household.

During this pandemic where any surface if unsanitised can be a source of infection, why be dependent on shared equipment at a gym when you can replicate your fitness routine in the comfort of your home with a wide range of interactive, trainer-led workouts streamed live on the Synq.Fit bike. Furthermore, the launch of the smart bike is in sync with the efforts of the fitness industry innovating to provide solutions for the health and safety concerns of the populace. These solutions are usually customised to match the work from home lifestyle that has hit the peak since the pandemic but has been growing since the past few years.

Synq.Fit is the brainchild of three serial entrepreneurs, namely Pratik Sud, Rajat Sahni, and Sameer Joshi. Pratik Sud is the founder of Synq.Work a co-working firm and incubator. An alumnus of The University of Houston, he has previously founded two technology solutions Doctor On Call and QuickDoc to help people find proper care. Rajat Sahni has founded two of the most credible market research companies, namely, HBG knowledge services and TIP Knowledge services. An alumnus of IMT Ghaziabad, Sameer Joshi is the Founder and CEO at TIP Knowledge Services. Together, the three entrepreneurs have diverted their energies to bring a fitness movement in the country through the amalgamation of fitness, digital media, and technology.

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This Connected Fitness Bike is set to become India's biggest health and wellness trend of 2021 - TechnoSports