USC Dornsife College Of Letters Arts and Sciences

University of Southern California

Wealth-Building Resources

Finances for Seniors: Retirement, Estate Planning and Elder Fraud

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USC Credit Union – Financial Education

USC Credit Union provides information on retirement planning, and preventing elder fraud, in addition to money basics like  savings and investing. Use their “Financial Focu$” resource to access personalized learning according to your needs.

Estate Planning

An estate plan is an essential tool in order to build and preserve generational wealth. Consumer Reports shares 7 steps to creating an estate plan with the assistance of a lawyer. While it is possible to make a basic estate plan on your own, it is advisable to work with a professional to be sure that your wishes are clear and will be honored after you are gone.

Association for Black Estate Planning Professionals
This association brings together professionals committed to bridging the racial wealth gab by creating, conserving and channeling wealth. Search the membership directory.

American College of Trust & Estate Counsel
The website includes an extensive education guide, including FAQs on topics related to estate planning. You can also use their directory to find an attorney in your area.

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Elder Law Attorneys help families with planning around health and long-term care, including Medicaid and Medicare coverage, insurance, trusts, benefits, housing and related issues. Search the NAELA directory.

Retirement Resources

RetireGuide.com
RetireGuide.com is a health and wealth website dedicated to providing accurate information and research on a variety of retirement topics. Check out their guides on Medicare and Retirement After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Elder Fraud

Watch our panel discussion on Protecting Your Finances:

Freeze Your Credit – Data leaks at major companies and the government mean that sensitive personal information may be available to scammers on the dark web. One way to protect yourself from identity theft by freezing your credit. Read more about how to do so.

Elders are especially vulnerable to financial fraud.

National Center for Elder Abuse – Learn more about elder abuse from this government website.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s website includes what to do in the case of multiple potentially fraudulent situations — such as family members requesting bail money, notices of prize winning, charities, investments, “sweetheart scams,” and more.

“Smarter Seniors” features education on potential scams and more, from the LA County Department for Consumer & Business Affairs. Also check out the Department’s Scam Alerts and calendar for workshops on protecting your finances, estate planning and more.

Read a report on elder financial fraud for people living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Call 211 to access the Elder Abuse hotline or (877) 4-R-SENIORS  – (877) 477-3646.

You can report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at their website or 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357). Online scams can be reported to the FBI.

 

First Citizens Bank sponsors financial empowerment programs conducted by the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture. Explore “Insights” on their website for advice on personal, small business and commercial finance, plus wealth management.