HSA plans, short for Health Savings Account, should not be ignored. These were created in 2003 to provide special tax treatment for those with high-deductible health insurance plans. However, not everyone is eligible for a Health Savings Account. If you are, you should really give it a solid look. According to the HealthCare.gov site, “the […]
Estate planning is much more than setting up a trust. The broadest description of estate planning is the process of preparing to dispose of your assets when you pass away. At least, that’s the textbook definition. Understandably, that gives many people the impression that estate planning is for the rich or those taking required minimum […]
The coronavirus stimulus plan known as the “CARES Act” is here and it’s huge. It passed in the Senate 96-0, was approved in the House, and signed by the President. The cost of the plan is over $2 trillion. That’s in addition to what the Federal Reserve is doing via monetary policy. To put that […]
The IRA early withdrawal penalty is not always top of mind for IRA owners. Retirement accounts have special advantages when compared to traditional investment accounts. For example, with an IRA, the account owner incurs no annual tax liability resulting from interest, dividends, and capital gains. As long as there are no withdrawals (distributions) from the […]
What a year it has been! As we say goodbye to 2019, here’s a look back at the Top 10 personal finance posts on The Astute Advisor blog. Hopefully you find some of these articles helpful. I love reading your comments and feedback. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach me via email […]
The SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) is now the law of the land. If there’s any constant in retirement planning, it’s change. As soon as you make financial plans based on current laws, they change. This legislation, signed into law with only days left in 2019, will have significant changes in […]
2020 Retirement Plan Limits have been released by the IRS. If there’s any constant with retirement planning, it’s change. Keeping up with these changes is key to ensuring maximum benefit from your retirement plan. Therefore, if you are saving monthly in a 401(k), 403(b) or other retirement plan, you’ll need to adjust your recurring contributions. […]
A Roth IRA is an important part of a retirement plan portfolio and deserve a close look from those wanting to make the most of their financial planning. This powerful retirement planning tool was first introduced as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 by then Senator William Roth, Jr. from Delaware. Prior to its introduction most retirement accounts […]
Mutual fund share classes can often be confusing for investors looking to save for retirement. Understanding how they work is key to making smart investing decisions. If you’re socking money away in a retirement account, the odds are you’re investing in mutual funds. Mutual funds allow investors to pool their money together and receive professional […]
Personal finance doesn’t need to be complicated. For that reason, I launched The Astute Advisor personal finance site. I was excited to reach a much broader audience. Lastly, I’ve always believed that the blog shouldn’t be my voice alone. I’m convinced my readers will benefit by hearing from other financial professionals too. Here are some […]
