- How Long a 401(k) Rollover Takes
Starting a new job is an exciting prospect – both for your career and your retirement plan. And taking your 401(k) with you means transferring the funds to a new account, such as another 401(k) or an IRA. However, penalties loom for transfers that take longer than 60 days. The timing of a 401(k) rollover… read more…
- Is $500 Per Month Too Much for Long-Term Care Insurance?
How much should you pay for long-term care insurance? Let’s say you’ve been offered a policy for $500 per month, or $6,000 per year. While the results will vary widely based on your health, age, gender and household size, for most individual policies, this would be expensive. However, it really depends on your personal circumstances.… read more…
- I’m 75 and Still Working. Can I Avoid Taking RMDs?
Required minimum distributions, or “RMDs,” are the government’s way of getting its tax money back on retirement accounts. Starting at age 73, anyone with a pre-tax retirement account such as an IRA or a 401(k), must begin must begin withdrawing a minimum amount from this account each year. This triggers a tax event, generating the income… read more…
- Should I Delay Social Security and Rely on My IRA for the Next 5 Years? I Have $500k and a Pension.
With $500,000 in an IRA and a pension, you may not need to immediately claim Social Security at age 62. By waiting until full retirement age at 67 or even 70, you can increase your monthly benefit by up to 24%. However, delaying Social Security means fewer cumulative checks over what could be a decades-long… read more…
- Differences to Consider Between Retirement and Estate Planning
While retirement can feel like crossing the finish line financially, it opens up a new realm of responsibilities and concerns. Hard work can help you save for your golden years. However, accounting for twists and turns from healthcare and inflation to unintended tax consequences, requires thorough planning. Similarly, passing on wealth the specific way you… read more…
- Are Annuities Actually as Valuable as They Seem?
A new study titled “How Much Do People Value Annuities and Their Added Features?” from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College finds that while just 12% of investors with assets of more than $100,000 open an annuity, more than 50% of investors who could benefit from a simple annuity don’t buy one because… read more…
- My Husband and I Are in Our 50s, Have $1 Million in Our 401(k)s and Want to Retire at 65. Should We Switch to Roth Contributions?
Should you make 401(k) or Roth IRA contributions? In a perfect world, the answer would be both. If you have the means, maximizing your traditional 401(k) and Roth contributions is a great way to build a diversified set of retirement savings. But, of course, your paycheck gets a vote. So, if you have to choose,… read more…
- I Want to Convert $500k in My 401(k) to a Roth IRA. How Do I Avoid Paying Taxes?
You can’t avoid taxes when making a Roth IRA conversion, but there are strategies to reduce your tax burden if the circumstances are right. When you convert money from a pre-tax account, such as a 401(k) or an IRA, to a post-tax Roth IRA, you must pay income taxes on the full value of the… read more…
- How to Create Your Own Retirement Income Plan
It’s important to plan for your retirement income. One of the most overlooked aspects of retirement planning is that there are two steps to this process. First there’s your savings plan – how you will build wealth and set money aside over time. This is, of course, critical. Then, there’s your income plan, or how you… read more…
- What Is a Joint Annuitant?
A joint annuitant is a person who, alongside the primary annuitant, stands to receive benefits from an annuity contract throughout their lifetime. They’re often the spouses or partners of the primary annuitant, but can also be anyone else named in the contract. Upon the primary annuitant’s death, the joint annuitant becomes eligible to receive annuity… read more…
- I Made $400k Last Year and Have $600k in Retirement Savings, But My Spouse Doesn’t Work. How Can I Save More for Retirement?
It’s common for even very high earners to feel squeezed, especially if you live in an expensive area like New York, San Francisco or Boston. Costs of living close to your job will almost certainly be high, particularly since you’re competing with other six-figure earners. Depending on your field, you could easily have $200,000 or… read more…
- We’re 67 Years Old With $1 Million in IRAs. Is It Too Late to Convert to a Roth?
At 67, you’re presumably at or near retirement. If you have $1 million in IRAs, it may be attractive to converting to a Roth because it can provide tax-free income in retirement. It’s not too late from legal or regulatory perspectives. The IRS does not restrict Roth conversions on the basis of age or income.… read more…
- What Should I Do With My 401(k) Once I Retire?
Managing your 401(k) in retirement every bit as important as managing it up to that point. There are plenty of reasons for this but the big one is, you’re going to need this money for a long time. With good health and good luck, you could spend almost as much time in retirement as you… read more…
- Understanding Total Basis in IRAs
Understanding your IRA basis can help clarify how much of your retirement savings is taxable when withdrawn. The term “IRA basis” refers to the portion of an IRA made up of after-tax contributions, which are not taxed again upon distribution. This concept applies most commonly to traditional IRAs, where nondeductible contributions must be tracked using… read more…
- How to Manage Your Money After You Retire
Retirement is a pivotal turning point that triggers significant financial changes. The steady paycheck you’ve grown accustomed to will be substituted by income from various sources, including retirement accounts, Social Security and other investments. Managing these different streams of income in retirement is critical to maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. Here’s a step-by-step guide for where… read more…
- Strategies to Maximize Social Security for Married Couples
Making the most out of Social Security benefits is a crucial aspect of retirement planning, especially for married couples. Optimizing these benefits can significantly impact your quality of life during retirement, providing a steady and reliable source of income. From delaying Social Security until age 70 to strategically splitting your benefits, here are four common… read more…
- I Have $1 Million in a Roth IRA and Will Receive $2,250 Monthly From Social Security. Can I Retire at 62?
Suppose you have $1 million in a Roth IRA and will receive $2,250 each month from Social Security when you become eligible for benefits. Would this be enough to allow you to retire at age 62? The answer to that question could be yes, but there’s a chance it may require you to live on… read more…
- Ultimate Guide to Social Security Benefits for Widows
Losing a spouse is an emotional and challenging experience, and it often brings financial concerns to the forefront. Social Security benefits can support widows financially and help them navigate expenses following a spouse’s death. This comprehensive guide covers eligibility criteria, the amount widows can receive in survivor benefits, the possibilities for divorced or remarried widows,… read more…
- The 4% Rule for Retirement Withdrawals Might Finally Be Safe to Use Again, Says Morningstar
There’s been an ongoing debate about whether retirees should abandon the “4% rule” for withdrawals from retirement accounts, a retirement income rule of thumb for decades. The market volatility of recent years made that rule suspect for many new retirees, but a new study from Morningstar finds that the rule can still apply. Do you… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I’m a Retired Teacher With a State Pension, Social Security and $550k in Savings. Should I Pay Off My $120k Mortgage?
I am trying to decide if I should pay off my house worth about $750,000. I owe around $120,000 on an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). On the other hand, my 4.5% interest rate just ended and I know the interest will continue to rise in this economy. My mortgage is $1,450 per month, having risen $400… read more…
- Six Tools to Help You Plan for Retirement
Preparing financially for retirement takes diligent tracking of savings, investments and benefit projections over decades. Thankfully, the right tools exist to help chart progress toward various retirement goals. Many of these tools are available for low cost or no cost. Free tools and calculators from companies like SmartAsset, JPMorgan, Schwab and Fidelity offer good examples.… read more…
- How to Catch Up on Retirement Savings in Your 40s
If you are in your 40s and behind on your retirement savings, you are not alone. While saving early will give you more time to grow your nest egg, it’s never too late to start. Let’s break down what you can do to catch up on your retirement savings in your 40s. If you’re falling… read more…
- How to Calculate Your Retirement Cost of Living
When it comes to retirement, understanding the potential cost of living is important for effective financial planning. Without a clear idea of these costs, you can run the risk of outliving your savings or compromising your lifestyle. Here’s what you need to know to calculate your retirement cost of living. A financial advisor can help… read more…
- Contribution Limits for a One-Participant 401(k)
A one-participant 401(k) or solo 401(k) is an attractive retirement savings option for self-employed workers or business owners. While they’re similar to the standard 401(k) plans often offered at larger workplaces, one-participant 401(k)s allow solo business owners to exceed the contribution limits that other plans are subject to. Consider speaking with a financial advisor if… read more…
- Do 401(k) Contributions Reduce Your AGI?
When it comes to saving for retirement, 401(k) plans are a popular choice for many American workplaces. Contributing to a 401(k) not only helps you save for retirement but offers the added bonus of reducing your adjusted gross income and lowering your tax liability for the year. A financial advisor can help you determine how… read more…