by Claudia Mott | Nov 14, 2019 | Social Security Opt Out, Social Security Requirements
Q. When I was 17, I signed a form exempting me from paying into Social Security for religious reasons. Now that I’m 50, I can see that was a mistake. Other things such as Medicare are tied to Social Security. What is the best way to start paying into the system? —... 
by Claudia Mott | Nov 1, 2019 | 529 Accounts, College, College Savings
Q. I have questions about 529 plans. Can one opened in New Jersey be used to pay down college debt? Can it be used for the spouse of the named beneficiary? And it be used for a sibling of the named beneficiary? — Parent A. These are great questions. 529 plans can be... 
by Claudia Mott | Oct 14, 2019 | Medicare, New Jersey Homstead Rebate
Q. How do the Medicare premium surcharge and property tax rebates work when you get married? Because both programs have eligibility based on one or two years before the current year, would they exclude the income of the new spouse? — Just married A. Let’s take a look... 
by Claudia Mott | Aug 23, 2019 | Home Refinance
Refinancing a mortgage is a big deal. You can potentially save hundreds of dollars a month, and tens of thousands over the life of your loan. After several years of rising rates, we’ve seen a reversal. Rates have come down substantially in a short period of time, and... 
by Claudia Mott | Aug 8, 2019 | 401(K), IRA, Pensions, Retirement
Q. Since many millenials are working for companies offering no pensions, would it be wise to get an annuity that could act like a pension? — Wish I had one A. There are very few pensions to find these days. You’ll still see them for public sector employees, but fewer...