This isn’t my favorite topic. But it’s a necessary one these days, when a seemingly endless number of companies and individuals are intent on separating us from our money. Some of them will use any means, fair or foul. I’m going to share a story about a longtime friend (I’ve changed his name) whose kindness […]
Read MoreThe joys of self-employment are many, but so are the stressors. High among those is the need to plan for retirement entirely on your own. You are in charge of creating a satisfying quality of life post-retirement. When it comes to building that life, the earlier you start, the better. Luckily, there are several retirement […]
Read MoreA 403(b) plan is a tax-sheltered retirement plan for people who work for nonprofit companies, including charities, schools, and qualified religious organizations. The 403(b) plan is comparable to its private-sector counterpart, the 401(k) plan, with important differences. If you’re considering enrolling in a 403(b) plan, check out the benefits below. Key Takeaways The 403(b) plan […]
Read MoreEarning a higher income may seem like the key to a more comfortable retirement, but it can actually be a barrier to some kinds of tax-advantaged retirement savings. That’s because a larger salary can shut you out of contributing to a Roth IRA. For 2021, Roth IRA contributions are not allowed for single filers with a […]
Read MoreRegardless of whether you’re 25 or 55, saving for retirement is a wise financial strategy. Everyone will face retirement at some point, either by choice or necessity. Whether you are on track for retirement savings or need to play catch up, or you’re a financial advisor who wants to give clients a leg up on […]
Read MoreThe share of Americans coming out of retirement and back into the workforce is finally increasing and could be key to bringing the labor force participation rate back to its pre-pandemic levels. More than 2.6% of retired workers returned to work in October, the highest since April 2020, according to an analysis by Indeed of […]
Read MoreA key part of retirement planning is to answer the question: How much do I need to retire? The answer varies by individual, and it depends largely on your income now and the lifestyle you want in retirement. Knowing how much you need to save “by age” can help you stay on track and reach […]
Read MoreThe 4% rule — which suggests retirees withdraw 4% of their retirement savings every year for living expenses — may be too high, according to the latest analysis of the popular strategy. Retirement Tip of the Week: Don’t just assume you need to withdraw 4% in retirement because it’s been a general rule of thumb […]
Read MoreIf you’re curious how to become one of the happiest retirees and how to avoid becoming one of the least happy retirees, I can offer some surprising guidance. That’s because of what I learned reading two excellent, new books about all this and talking to their authors for Next Avenue and the “Friends Talk Money” […]
Read MoreHow Much Money Do You Need to Retire While there may not be a more common or consequential financial question then “how much money do I need to retire?,” there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. One person’s retirement income needs will be different from the next, depending on their circumstances and goals. Though, it’s worth noting […]
Read MoreThe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) gets a little grumpy if you contribute to a Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA) without what it calls earned income. That usually means you need a paying job—either working for someone else or for your own business—to make Roth IRA contributions. But what if you don’t have one—a job, […]
Read MoreMan walking on a road with the word “RETIREMENT” painted in front of him Too many Americans are unprepared for retirement, according to a PwC analysis. Around a quarter of U.S. adults have no savings at all for retirement, and only 36% are on track. Fortunately, several major brokerages offer age-based benchmarks that folks would […]
Read MoreSome people consider “early retirement” to mean leaving the workforce at age 55, but most of us do not take this path. Unless you’re lucky enough to have a full pension and benefits that kick in that early—such as full military retirement or from work as a police officer or firefighter—you’ll probably need to work […]
Read MoreThe Capitol The 2019 Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act brought key changes to laws governing retirement plans. Among other things, the Act eliminated the age cutoff for traditional IRA contributions and increased the age for required minimum distributions (RMDs) from 70.5 to 72. The proposed SECURE Act 2.0 would further adjust […]
Read MoreDoes everyone get Social Security? No. Still, American workers who will not qualify for Social Security retirement benefits are relatively rare. If you are one of them, it’s important to know, so you can secure other sources of income or determine whether it’s possible for you to become eligible. What follows are the eight most […]
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