Many people spend decades focused on growing their retirement savings. They watch the markets, contribute to retirement accounts, and celebrate when their balances increase. But when retirement finally arrives, one question becomes far more important than, “How...
Markets finished the week mixed, with a noticeable rotation out of mega-cap technology issues to healthcare, real estate, and consumer staples. Concerns about the return on investment from a massive capital-expenditure binge on artificial intelligence resurfaced. ...
When people think about retirement, they often focus on growing their investments. They search for higher returns, the next great investment opportunity, or ways to outperform the market. While investment performance is important, many retirees discover that one of...
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education On July 4, contributions to Trump accounts, a new savings vehicle for children, will become available. In these final days before their launch, we have been getting questions from parents about exactly what they...
Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there. The holiday-shortened week brought gains to US equities and saw the Japanese and South Korean markets forge new all-time highs. The signing of a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran extended the...
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: Our client has funds left over in her 529 plan. She is not working. Can she roll over the 529 dollars to a Roth IRA? Does she need earned income? Can you do it as a spousal Roth contribution? Thanks, Mary ANSWER: Mary,...
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst If a person has after-tax (non-deductible) money in any traditional IRA, SEP or SIMPLE IRA, then the pro-rata rule is just something that needs to be dealt with. But pro-rata is not the end-of-days hurdle that many people perceive...
Many Americans spend years preparing for retirement. They contribute to their 401(k)s, open IRAs, purchase insurance, and work diligently to build their nest egg. Yet one of the biggest mistakes retirees and pre-retirees make isn’t failing to create a financial...
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst If you are faced with expenses that require you to tap into your savings, what are your options? You should always look to non-retirement savings first. Dipping into retirement funds could cause you to lose out on future tax-deferred (or...
It was a hectic week on Wall Street as investors contended with heightened tensions in the Middle East, awaited the largest IPO in history, and received elevated inflation readings. The US and Iran appear to be very close to extending a fragile ceasefire, but as I...
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Are the rules for a grandchild who inherits an IRA the same as the rules for a child who inherits? Thank you, Steven Answer: Hi Steven, No, the rules are very different. An IRA owner’s child who is under age 21 when the owner...
As we reach the halfway point of the year, many people take stock of their health, careers, and personal goals—but often overlook one of the most important areas of their lives: their finances. Just as an annual physical helps identify potential health concerns before...
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education June is PRIDE Month. June also marks the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage. When it comes to IRA rules, spouses have many advantages, and couples...
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst If a person wants to make a Roth IRA contribution, there are two primary hurdles to get over. First, a person must have taxable compensation to make the contribution. Items like W-2 wages, commissions, professional fees or bonuses...
qqwe The S&P 500 was unable to make it a 10th straight week of gains as the market pulled back sharply late in the week amid a sense that the AI trade may have gone too far, too fast. Technology issues were absolutely hammered on Thursday and Friday after...
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hello, Last December 15, I withdrew $10,000 from my traditional IRA. Thirty days later, I deposited $4,000 in a Roth IRA and $6,000 in a different traditional IRA. Can I treat the $4,000 Roth IRA...
For many Americans, retirement planning begins with one simple question: “How much money do I need to retire?” While building savings is important, a more critical question is often overlooked: “How will I create a reliable income throughout...
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Some of you may have come across the term “modified adjusted gross income” (MAGI) and figured it has something to do with “adjusted gross income” (AGI). But, unless you’re a tax geek, that may be all you know. That’s a shame...
Global equity markets rallied in May and received a final boost in the final week of the month on optimism that the US and Iran were close to extending the current ceasefire agreement. However, the negotiations between the two parties were described as “clear as mud”...
The kitchen is often called the heart of the home—and for good reason. It’s where families gather, meals are shared, and memories are made. As one of the most frequently used spaces in any house, a well-designed kitchen can dramatically improve both daily living...
