Retirement

August 28, 2026Federal employees with traditional Thrift Savings Plans can now convert money to a Roth TSP. This moves their future qualified growth and withdrawals into tax-free territory, but creates a substantial current-year tax bill. However, Roth TSP balances are not subject to lifetime required minimum distributions (RMDs). Here’s how the tax cost and timing can help… read more…

August 28, 2026The average 401(k) balance is about $351,242, but taxes can reduce how much of that money is available to spend.1 Required minimum distributions (RMDs) can create taxable income once they begin, potentially increasing your tax bill. Planning when and how you take money from your 401(k) could help limit the tax impact over retirement. The… read more…

August 26, 2026With only 10 years left until retirement, missing your employer’s 401(k) match can leave a sizable hole in your savings. If your employer offers a 4% match and you fail to claim it, you could give up almost $45,000 by retirement. That amount includes both missed contributions and investment growth that you could have earned,… read more…

August 21, 2026At 59, $1.6 million may be enough to retire, but leaving work also means giving up health insurance coverage from your employer. Medicare generally doesn’t become available until age 65. Paying marketplace premiums during that six-year gap could increase your withdrawal rate, and that may undercut the longevity of your nest egg. How Health Insurance… read more…

August 20, 2026A lower withdrawal rate can help your retirement savings last longer, but it may also limit how much you spend. Moving from 4% to 5% gives you more income upfront while leaving less room for your portfolio to absorb market losses. Your decision will depend on the answer to this question: Is the extra money… read more…

August 19, 2026Doubling your salary can increase your lifetime earnings, but your Social Security benefit will not increase at the same rate. As your career earnings rise, each additional dollar has a smaller effect on your monthly benefit. Comparing salaries of $75,000 and $150,000 can show how that difference could affect your retirement income. Why Twice the… read more…

August 18, 2026A $2.5 million portfolio could support $100,000 in annual retirement spending, but taxes might require you to withdraw more than that amount. Account type determines the portion of each distribution you keep. Knowing that amount can help you estimate whether your spending goal is sustainable and what adjustments you may need to make. How Much… read more…

August 17, 2026Retiring at 52 could lock up a big part of your nest egg until age 59 ½. If most of your money sits in a 401(k) or traditional IRA, early withdrawals might trigger a 10% penalty. A Roth conversion ladder, however, may provide access sooner without that charge, but you still need to account for… read more…

August 14, 2026You took a $100,000 distribution by check from your 401(k) and are now wondering if the IRS will penalize you. The answer depends on whether you completed the rollover correctly. A check isn’t necessarily problematic, but missing this deadline could cost you roughly $34,000 in taxes and a penalty. The 60-Day Deadline and What Happens… read more…

August 12, 2026If you need to withdraw $10,000 each month from a $1 million portfolio, that’s a 12% annual withdrawal rate. Sustaining this rate over a long retirement could increase the risk of depleting your savings. However, the gap between your spending goal and what your portfolio can support isn’t necessarily a dead end. Other income sources,… read more…

August 11, 2026While $500,000 is a substantial retirement portfolio, it may not be enough to generate $5,000 in monthly income on its own. How much you can safely withdraw depends on your spending needs, investment returns and any other income sources, like Social Security or a pension. Let’s take a look at how the math works. Can… read more…

August 3, 2026Turning 50 could cause you to take another look at your retirement savings. If your balance is lower than expected, you may wonder whether you’ve fallen too far behind to reach your goals. The good news is that your current balance is only part of the picture. Depending on when you expect to retire, you… read more…

July 30, 2026If you’ve retired and receive Social Security as your main source of income, you may be unsure whether you still need to file a federal tax return. Many retirees assume they can stop once they reach a certain age, but the IRS bases that requirement on how much you earn and where it comes from.… read more…

July 29, 2026If you’re retired, every tax deduction can make a difference, especially when you’re living on a fixed income. Americans age 65 and older may be able to claim a federal deduction of up to $6,000, but the amount depends on your income and filing status. Here’s how much a 67-year-old with $48,000 in annual income… read more…

July 28, 2026The IRS generally gives you 10 years to empty an inherited IRA, but that flexibility can work against you. Waiting until the deadline to withdraw may mean taking the entire balance in a shorter window, and larger withdrawals could push you into a higher tax bracket. Taking smaller amounts over the full decade could help… read more…

July 27, 2026One of your biggest tax-saving opportunities may come during the first years of retirement. Leaving the workforce can temporarily reduce your taxable income, creating a window when Roth conversions may cost less. That opportunity could start closing once Social Security benefits and other sources of taxable income begin. The Tax Window Near Retirement That Is… read more…

July 23, 2026After decades of saving, one of the central challenges of retirement is turning accumulated savings into a reliable source of income. For many retirees, that income comes from multiple sources rather than a single paycheck. Each source offers a different combination of reliability, growth potential and risk. Understanding what each source may provide, along with… read more…

July 23, 2026If you are close to retirement with a nest egg of $850,000 and a small pension, claiming Social Security early may make sense. However, claiming benefits as soon as you become eligible at age 62 will permanently reduce your monthly income. This can add up to a loss over the lifetime of your retirement. What… read more…

July 22, 2026You and your partner may have built a comfortable nest egg and expect that Social Security will help support the retirement lifestyle you both want. On paper, your assumptions could make sense, but that will depend on three numbers that retirees often overlook: Your required withdrawal rate, the tax bill on that money, and what… read more…

July 20, 2026Homeowners often believe they stop paying property taxes after a certain age. In reality, there is no nationwide age at which property taxes automatically disappear. Whether you qualify for a property tax break depends on where you live, since states and local governments offer their own property tax exemptions or credits. Not knowing what your… read more…

July 17, 2026When you are close to retirement, every market decline can feel different than it did decades earlier. At this stage, you generally have less time to recover from major losses. While it may be easy to focus on how far the market falls, the timing of a decline can be just as important. A sharp… read more…

July 16, 2026If you and your spouse have $1.6 million saved across your IRAs, and one of you dies, the surviving spouse could pay a much higher tax rate on the same retirement income. The best opportunity to reduce that future tax bill is often while you’re both alive. But if you’re already the surviving spouse, there… read more…

July 15, 2026At 42, every extra dollar has to compete for a job. Paying off $30,000 in student loans may feel like the obvious choice. But putting that money toward debt instead of retirement could reduce your long-term savings. The decision often comes down to one number that many borrowers overlook. Why the Wrong Choice Can Cost… read more…

July 9, 2026Market losses typically signal investors to put a hold on big financial moves. But if you’re saving for retirement, a downturn could be one of the least expensive times to complete a Roth conversion. Missing this opportunity could cost you thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxes. Here’s why. Same Shares, Smaller Tax Bill The value… read more…

July 8, 2026Inheriting $500,000 in an IRA can seem like a life-changing windfall. But not knowing one important IRS rule could cost you thousands of dollars. The timing and size of your withdrawals can have a major impact on how much inheritance you ultimately keep. Fortunately, you have options to avoid an expensive mistake. A financial advisor… read more…