Liz Weston

A large IRA withdrawal or capital gains from the sale of a home, for example, will boost your Medicare premiums if you go over the income cap.

| Dear Liz: I read your column about divorced spousal benefits for Social Security. I was divorced as of Jan. 1.

Figuring out the ideal time to spend funds from health savings accounts can be tricky. Wait and the nest egg will grow. But wait too long and money is left unspent.

Dear Liz: Is naming a beneficiary for a nonretirement, “payable on death” account as effective as putting the account in a living trust?

Dear Liz: I'm way behind on retirement funds. I did get pension funds from my employer after 25 years of service but used a large portion to pay debt that was crushing me.

Dear Liz: I have a high-deductible insurance plan from my employer and I contribute to a Health Savings Account. I understand people on Medicare can't contribute to an HSA.

A 62-year-old spent the bulk of their pension to pay down debt, leaving little for retirement. Here's what they should have done instead.

Dear Liz: I'm way behind on retirement funds. I did get pension funds from my employer after 25 years of service but used a large portion to pay debt that was crushing me.

Dear Liz: I'm a single person with no children. I worked for one private employer for 36 years, retired from there at 54 and am now 57. My home is paid off.

Expensive full-time Alzheimer's care may qualify.