With just days remaining in 2022, SECURE Act 2.0 is here. If there’s any constant in retirement planning, it’s change. As soon as you make financial plans based on current laws, they change. It’s like deja vu all over again. The first SECURE Act became law in the final days of 2019. The Setting Every […]
The IRS loves it when you turn 73, but you won’t get a gift or even a card. The Internal Revenue Service can’t wait to get their hands on your hard-earned dollars. This might be why the IRS is sometimes referred to as the Infernal Revenue Service. Happy birthday and get ready to pay more taxes thanks to […]
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 […]
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 […]
A Roth IRA conversion and Roth IRAs in general can be powerful tools in a retirement saver’s toolkit. The potential to accumulate a bucket of funds to be used tax free in retirement is very attractive. This is especially true when you realize how much of your 401(k) or Traditional IRAs will be taxed in […]
There is a little confusion out there regarding Roth IRA contribution limits and rollovers. Complicating matters is that contribution limitations are different for a Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA. For a Roth IRA in 2023, you are limited to $6,500. For those age 50 or older, the limit is $7,500. However, there are phase outs […]
If you’re looking to improve your financial wellness, it can feel like a tall order. Taking on any challenge is daunting and the first step is usually the hardest. Knowing where to begin is hard enough and sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. When it comes to our financial well-being, it can be […]
SIMPLE IRA plans can be a great way for a small company to provide a low cost retirement benefit as an alternative to a qualified retirement plan like a 401(k) and profit sharing plan. SIMPLE IRA stands for Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees. However, calling it simple is probably a misnomer. To be fair, […]
Tax-deferred vs Tax-free is a concept that is key to making good financial planning decisions. Most retirement accounts fall into these two categories. It’s critical to know which ones are which. It is also worth noting, this concept applies to more than just retirement accounts. Choosing which investment account to use for health and education […]
What a year it has been! As we say goodbye to 2016, here’s a look back at some of the most popular 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 […]
