This post was last updated on January 07, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Although defined benefit plans (pension) are less common today, many people will still rely on them for retirement. There are some very specific rules governing how these plans are calculated for payout either over the course of retirement or in a lump sum.
Healthcare is not getting cheaper. Are you prepared to cover your healthcare expenses throughout your retirement?
Healthcare is cited as the number one cost retirees face. Even if you have a pension, it can be tricky to ensure all your needs are covered. You’ll want to consider all your options, including Medicare, health insurance offered with your pension, Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), COBRA, and the Marketplace.
Thinking through your pension decisions and transitioning into retirement is hard enough. Adding in planning for your premature death is even more stressful. However, there’s no replacement for peace of mind knowing your family is covered no matter what.
Adding a survivor benefit to your pension isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. There are often many variations and levels of coverage to consider too. Make sure you take your time to think through this decision by looking at your whole financial picture.
This post was last updated on December 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
If you’re required to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), then knowing your options is important. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are a useful tool to keep in mind.
This post was last updated on December 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Understanding when capital gains can push you into a higher tax bracket is very important. The final step of investing success is keeping your hard-earned cash where it belongs – in your bank account!
This post was last updated on December 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
A 403(b) plan or tax-sheltered annuity (TSA) is a retirement account for public schools, colleges, and universities as well as for churches and non-profit organizations. While the account works similarly to other retirement plans like a 401k, there are some differences.
This post was last updated on December 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
You’ve reached many milestones in your life so far, but retirement brings new challenges and opportunities. There are many goals that you may be looking forward to already or maybe you’re going back to the drawing board.
This post was last updated on December 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Saving money for retirement is critical, but not everyone knows how to do it effectively. You should already understand the value of building a nest egg for your golden years. However, when it comes to the types of accounts you have, it can start to get a little confusing.
This post was last updated on December 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
In addition to sounding cool, mega backdoor Roth conversions can be super helpful for long-term tax-savings. For high income earners, having the ability to get more money into a Roth account now will make retirement income planning much easier.
This post was last updated on 30 December, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Planning for your retirement is the key to fully enjoying the fruits of your labor. Whether you have an IRA (individual retirement account), a 401(k) or other retirement account, you'll want to get the most out of it by maximizing your contributions. Understanding the contribution limits put in place by the IRS will help you maximize your savings.
This post was last updated on December 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Make the most of your retirement planning in 2024! No matter how much time between now and these deadlines, mark your calendar so you don't miss anything. Now is the time to prepare for retirement account contributions (or withdrawals).
Taking a pension lump sum takes careful consideration. If you decide to take a lump sum, you’ll have to decide whether you transfer your lump sum pension payout into your 401k or your IRA. The decision to take a lump sum can’t be reversed, so take it seriously.
Many different factors come into play when we’re sorting through this decision. Pension payout calculations, tax considerations, and personal goals all matter. Also, your investment style and habits around money are very important as well.
This post was last updated on September 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
How do you measure your personal financial health? If you were running a business, you’d pay close attention to its financial health, right? Elements like cash flow, debts, and total assets would be part of your normal routine.
Coordinating your pension and Social Security benefits are some of the most important decisions you’ll make as you retire. It’s very important you don’t plan either one without looking at your whole financial picture. In other words, we want you to think about your overall retirement income – not just your pension or Social Security.
Your pension income, retirement accounts (401k, 403b, TSP, IRA, etc.), Social Security, and other income (rental property, inheritance, etc.) all factor into how much you need in retirement. Each one of them comes with their own risks and benefits to consider in relation to your other retirement income sources.
Many investors consider diverse investment portfolios desirable because they reduce the overall risk inherent to investing. One of the primary ways to diversify your portfolio is to invest in different asset classes. Before you can do that, though, you need to know a little more about what they are.
While even the most diverse investment portfolios aren’t immune to risk entirely, risk reduction of any amount can help provide you with peace of mind, particularly when you’re investing as a way to support yourself through retirement.
If you’re like 69% of Americans, you may have less than $1000 saved. Putting money away is a struggle for many individuals, but part of the problem may be how they’re doing it.
One possible way to make saving easier is to utilize multiple accounts. Today, we’re going to look at the various reasons you should be saving and the types of accounts you can use to reach your goal.
Typically, if you want to become an investor, you need sufficient capital to make any headway. These days, however, it’s never been easier to make your money work for you, thanks to various investing apps and opportunities.
If you’re short on funds, you might think that investing is out of reach. You’d be wrong. Thanks to the growing trend of micro-investing, anyone with a bank account can get started.
If the thought of negotiating your salary makes you break out in a sweat, you’re not alone. According to a survey by compensation software company PayScale, only 43 percent of respondents asked for a raise in their current field.
Salary negotiations can be scary. Even the most seasoned professional can blanch at the idea of marching in and demanding more money from their boss. However, there will come a time when your current compensation does not reflect the value of your work.
This post was last updated on January 15, 2021, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Congratulations! You’ve worked for decades to prepare for retirement and now you’re there, or almost there, ready to start what can be the most enjoyable phase of your life. Very likely, you’ve got plans to travel, see family and friends and maybe even revisit hobbies you’ve neglected for decades.
This post was last updated on January 15, 2021, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Are you looking forward to the day you retire? Many dream of retirement, counting down the days when they can leave the cubicle life behind. But, before you turn in your work badge, make sure your finances are in order first.
