- Traditional IRA vs. Rollover IRA: Key Differences and Examples
If you have ever changed jobs or you have already started saving for retirement, you have likely encountered both Traditional IRAs and Rollover IRAs. However, these two similar-sounding accounts can play very different roles in your financial future. Knowing how each works can mean the difference between maximizing your tax advantages and making costly mistakes.… read more…
- Should You Budget for a Mini-Retirement? Pros, Cons and Examples
A mini retirement is a planned, extended break from full-time work that’s taken before traditional retirement age. Unlike a vacation or employer-sponsored sabbatical, a mini retirement is self-funded and typically lasts a few months to a few years. People often consider a mini retirement during career transitions, periods of burnout or when testing out their… read more…
- State Tax on 401(k) Withdrawals: General Rules and Strategies
While federal taxes apply uniformly, the way states tax 401(k) withdrawals can vary widely. Some states fully tax 401(k) distributions, while others provide deductions or exclude retirement income altogether. These differences can influence how much of your savings you keep and may even factor into decisions about when and where to retire. A financial advisor… read more…
- How to Retire Early With a 401(k): Rules and Strategies
Retiring early with a 401(k) requires understanding how to access funds before the standard retirement age without triggering heavy penalties. This involves leveraging strategies like Rule 72(t) withdrawals, the Rule of 55 exception or a rollover for more flexibility. Each method has specific conditions, timelines and tax implications that shape whether early retirement is financially… read more…
- Does a Roth Conversion Count as an RMD? Retirement Tax Guide
When it comes to managing retirement income, taxes can be one of your biggest – and most overlooked – expenses. Many retirees wonder whether converting their savings to a Roth IRA can help satisfy their required minimum distributions (RMDs) and reduce their tax burden. It is a smart question, but it is also a common… read more…
- How to Build a Retirement Portfolio at Age 70
At age 70, retirement is no longer a distant goal—it’s your current reality. Whether you’re newly retired or reevaluating your strategy, this is an important time to ensure your savings last. While there is no single best retirement portfolio for a 70-year-old, building a portfolio that suits your needs involves prioritizing income, minimizing risk and… read more…
- Are Part-Time Employees Eligible for 401(k)s?
For years, many part-time workers were excluded from 401(k) participation, leaving them with fewer ways to save through an employer. As flexible schedules and gig work have become more common, this gap has affected a growing share of the workforce. Recent federal law changes now expand access to employer-sponsored retirement plans, allowing more part-time employees… read more…
- Can You Change Your 401(k) Contribution at Any Time?
Your 401(k) plays a key role in helping you save for retirement, but life events can affect how much you’re able to contribute. A raise, job change, or unexpected expense might lead you to consider adjusting your contributions. Many employer-sponsored plans allow changes throughout the year, though specific rules and timing vary by plan provider.… read more…
- What to Do Six Months Before Retirement: Checklist
The final six months before retirement are some of the most important. During this window, you’ll want to fine-tune your income plan. This means you should assess your tax exposure, make sure your investment mix supports your goals and double-check your paperwork. Even if you’ve been planning for years, the last stretch before retirement is… read more…
- 5 Smart Money Moves to Make With Your RMDs
Once you begin taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) at age 73, you must withdraw a set amount each year from your pre-tax retirement accounts. If you don’t need that money for living expenses, you can still use it productively. Many retirees choose to reinvest their RMDs in a taxable brokerage account, add to emergency savings,… read more…
- Can a Child Collect the Pension of a Deceased Parent?
When a parent passes away, one of the biggest financial questions families face is whether their children can receive any of their parent’s pension benefits. Unlike life insurance or retirement accounts, pensions have stricter rules that often limit who can inherit them, and children are rarely at the top of the list. Still, there are… read more…
- Should You Take a 401(k) Loan for Home Improvement?
Using a 401(k) loan for home improvement may feel like an easy solution to unexpected expenses. After all, you’re borrowing from yourself. There’s no credit check, and the interest you pay goes back into your retirement account. While the convenience may be appealing, the long-term financial trade-offs deserve your consideration. A 401(k) loan can impact… read more…
- Can I Cash Out My 401(k) While Still Employed?
While some retirement plans allow in-service withdrawals, most discourage early access with penalties, taxes and missed growth potential. Before making a move that could undermine your long-term retirement goals, it helps to know the rules. A financial advisor can help you balance today’s needs with your long-term retirement goals. Can You Cash Out a 401(k)… read more…
- What Happens If You Default on a 401(k) Loan?
If you default on a 401(k) loan, the balance is usually treated as a taxable distribution. This may result in income taxes and, if you are under 59½, a 10% early withdrawal penalty. It can also reduce the amount you have available for retirement in the future. A financial advisor can review your situation and… read more…
- How to Repay a 401(k) Loan After Leaving a Job
Unlike traditional loans, a 401(k) loan is tied to your employer-sponsored retirement plan. That means your repayment options and timeline may change significantly once you are no longer with the company. If you fail to repay the loan within the specified period, it could be treated as a taxable distribution, potentially subjecting you to income… read more…
- How to Avoid Taxes on a 457(b) Withdrawal: Strategies and Examples
Planning how and when to withdraw money from your retirement accounts can have a big impact on how much of your savings you actually get to keep. This is especially true with 457(b) plans, which are common for public sector employees. While these accounts offer unique flexibility when compared with other retirement plans, they also… read more…
- Will Converting $500k to a Roth IRA Affect My Medicare Premiums?
Medicare premiums are based on taxable income and a sudden increase can raise your costs. So if you are considering a Roth conversion as part of a long-term strategy to lower retirement taxes, this could raise your premiums in the year after the conversion. However, you should also note that the increase is temporary and… read more…
- Can You Max Out a 401(k) and an IRA? Strategies for Both
Combining a 401(k) from work with an IRA can help you grow savings faster and give you more options for retirement planning. Contributing to both could grow your retirement savings by combining tax-deferred and tax-free advantages. A 401(k) typically provides employer matching, while an IRA offers wider investment flexibility. Together, they support diversification, enhance tax… read more…
- CD vs. Roth IRA: Which Should You Invest in for Retirement?
Certificates of deposit (CDs) and Roth IRAs play different roles in retirement planning. CDs provide fixed interest and are federally insured, which can make them attractive if your priority is safety and predictable returns. A Roth IRA, by comparison, offers the opportunity for long-term, tax-free growth and withdrawals, giving you more flexibility and potential upside.… read more…
- Annuity vs. Roth IRA: Pros and Cons for Retirement Income
When planning for retirement, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is how to generate consistent, tax-efficient income. Two common options, annuities and Roth IRAs, serve very different purposes, but can both play a key role in your strategy. A Roth IRA offers tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement, while an annuity can provide guaranteed… read more…
- When and How to Consolidate 401(k) Accounts
Managing multiple 401(k) accounts from past employers involves tracking different fees, investment options, and statements. Consolidating these accounts can simplify monitoring, reduce costs and keep investments aligned with retirement goals. A financial advisor can help you evaluate consolidation options and determine a strategy for your retirement savings. Ways to Consolidate Your 401(k) Accounts When consolidating… read more…
- I’m 67 With $680k in My 401(k). Should I Convert to a Roth IRA to Avoid RMDs?
If you need retirement funds for living expenses now, paying taxes on a Roth conversion may cost more than it saves. But, if you plan to keep the money for growth or pass it on to heirs, a conversion can help you avoid future required minimum distributions (RMDs) and provide tax-free income for beneficiaries. To… read more…
- How to Use Dividend Investments for Early Retirement: Examples
Retiring early is possible for many people, but it requires smart planning and reliable income sources. Dividend-paying investments offer one path by providing consistent cash flow while still allowing your portfolio to grow. By reinvesting dividends during your working years and later using them to cover living expenses, you can bridge the gap to early… read more…
- How Much Do You Lose By Retiring at 62? Benchmarks and Examples
How much you can lose by retiring at 62 depends on Social Security, savings growth, and pensions. Starting Social Security at 62 usually cuts monthly benefits by 25% to 30% compared to waiting until full retirement age. Retiring early also means fewer years to save and less time for investments to grow. Pension checks may… read more…
- Mega Backdoor Roth vs. Backdoor Roth: Benefits and Limits
High earners often weigh the mega backdoor Roth against the backdoor Roth to expand tax-free growth. A backdoor Roth works by making a nondeductible traditional IRA contribution and then converting it to a Roth. A mega backdoor Roth, on the other hand, uses after-tax 401(k) contributions that are later converted in-plan or rolled to a… read more…