In a sense, you have been planning for your retirement ever since you started working. Maybe you’ve been contributing to a 401(k) plan, or maybe you’ve been socking away money in an IRA, but without a doubt, you’ve been looking forward to your golden years. And I want you to enjoy those years without worrying about having to take out a reverse mortgage on your house.

During this period of time I call "midlife exploration," I’ve come across a couple different books that I've found interesting. In one of them the author asks the question, “If not now, then when?”

It’s a question I've started asking myself. Sure, I’m 47 years old. I’m not set to retire for a while by society’s standards, but why should I stop doing what I enjoy? Many people hate working 9 to 5 and can't wait to retire. But, I love my job! I love getting up each morning and serving the needs of others.

It's no surprise that money is the biggest source of stress for Americans. In fact, a survey by the American Institute of CPAs found that more than half of Americans with debt say that it's negatively impacted their lives. If you want to take control of your finances, here are five easy tasks that can help get you moving toward financial health and growth.

Some IRA planning and investment strategies may appear easy to execute, but errors can lead to unexpected taxes or penalties, loss of the IRA’s tax-exempt status, and even disinherited beneficiaries. Where can things go wrong? Here are five common IRA misconceptions, as well as tips for making a more informed choice.

If you’re like most people, you’ve saved for retirement in multiple ways, including employer plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). As you approach retirement, it may make sense to consolidate all of your savings into one account to achieve a coordinated investment plan.Why consolidate?Consolidating your retirement accounts offers several potential benefits: