Category: Retirement Planning

When planning a trip, you probably focus on making the travel arrangements, ensuring you’ll have enough spending money and other practical issues, such as having someone cover you at the office and someone else keep an eye on your house or pets. The last thing on your mind may be putting your financial and other personal documents in order. However, if you expect to be away for any length of time — especially if your loved ones won’t be traveling… Read more ›

For 2022, the amount you can sock away into your 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans will rise another $1,000 to $20,500. If you’re at least 50 years of age, you can put away up to $27,000 thanks to catch-up contributions. The limit on “total additions” to those plans — that is your deferrals and employer contributions combined — rises to $61,000 in 2022 or $67,500 if you’re at least 50. While you’re contemplating how much to put into your… Read more ›

The 403(b) plan is often thought of as a 401(k) plan for nonprofits. It’s probably not the only option for your not-for-profit, but it can provide certain advantages over 401(k)s. Following is a brief rundown. Generous Contribution Limits A 403(b) plan is a tax-favored qualified retirement plan set up for employees of not-for-profit organizations, including charities, hospitals, schools and government entities. As with other qualified plans, pre-tax contributions grow tax-free until withdrawals are made. Normally, employee contributions are deducted from… Read more ›

Back in late 2019, the first significant legislation addressing retirement savings since 2006 became law. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act has resulted in many changes to retirement and estate planning strategies, but it also raised some questions. The IRS has been left to fill the gaps, most recently with the February 2022 release of proposed regulations that have left many taxpayers confused and unsure of how to proceed. The proposed regs cover numerous topics, but… Read more ›

Graduation can be one of the most exciting — and intimidating — times in your life. You’re officially an adult, and with that new-found independence comes financial responsibilities. No pressure, but the decisions you make today about spending and saving can mean the difference between struggling for the rest of your life and building a solid financial future. Here’s a list of important questions to ask yourself as you start your journey: 1. Where Should I Live? Depending on where… Read more ›

In 2019, the bipartisan Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act) — the first significant legislation related to retirement savings since 2006 — became law. Now Congress appears ready to build on that law to further increase Americans’ retirement security. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Securing a Strong Retirement Act by a 414-5 vote. Also known as SECURE 2.0, the bill contains numerous provisions that — if enacted — would affect both individuals and employers,… Read more ›

If you want a retirement plan for your small company or self-employed business — but you don’t want to be buried in paperwork — consider a simplified employee pension plan or SEP. Among the appealing advantages: SEPs are set up by simply filling out a brief form. Annual reports aren’t required to be filed with the IRS, although you must provide a copy of the SEP form to each covered employee. (Most retirement plans require detailed reports to be filed… Read more ›

  Some people are worried that they will wind up in a nursing home with their life savings wiped out. But that doesn’t have to be the case. You can buy some peace of mind with long-term care insurance. But caveat emptor: These policies can be expensive, complicated and they don’t always cover all the costs involved. First, the good news: If you purchase long-term care insurance, you may be able to get a limited tax deduction. Plus, benefits received… Read more ›

If your company has a qualified retirement plan or you have set one up in self-employment — such as a 401(k), profit-sharing, or Keogh plan — the participants might be allowed to borrow from their accounts. (This option is not available for traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEPs, or SIMPLE-IRAs.) In the right circumstances, taking out a plan loan can be a smart financial move because a participant gains access (within limits) to his or her retirement account money without having… Read more ›

  If you own a small business, you may have set up a defined benefit pension plan for you and your employees that will provide a specific amount of retirement income based on salary history and years of service. For 2022, the maximum annual benefit of a defined pension plan is $245,000 (up from $230,000 in 2021). In future years, it will be subject to cost-of-living adjustments. But retirement tends to be a time when medical expenses grow. Those expenses… Read more ›