Investors who have taxable accounts—as opposed to tax-favored retirement accounts such as individual retirement accounts (IRAs) or 401(k)s—are often eligible for lower tax rates on investment income a...
Tag: Individual Retirement Accounts
I’m 57 and will soon have more than $3 million from a business sale. My rich boss trusts his financial adviser, but he inherited his millions. Still, should I try his adviser?
Have a question about your financial adviser or looking for a new one? Email [email protected]. Getty Images/iStockphoto Question: I am 57 years old, have $450,000 saved for retirement and will so...
I’m 73 and will only have my 401(k) after retiring. How do I make it last?
I am 73 years old and still employed full time. I will receive no retirement benefits when I leave my job except for a 401(k). My question is: what is the best way to handle this 401(k) without losing...
Should you buy an annuity for your retirement?
Annuities are a popular retirement income vehicle with many insurance agents, registered representatives and financial advisers. They probably have as many supporters as detractors. Here are some of t...
I’m a single dad earning $100,000 – how do I maximize my retirement dollars?
Dear MarketWatch, I make over $100,000 a year, and expect to for the foreseeable future. As of now, I am contributing 8% of my income to my 403(b) with a 3% 401(a) match; all Roth. It would be more, ...
How to decide between pre-tax and Roth 401(k) contributions
Prathanchorruangsak | Istock | Getty Images Whether you’re starting a new job or updating retirement savings goals, you may need to choose between pre-tax or Roth 401(k) contributions — and the ...
Weigh these 7 factors first
Halfpoint Images | Moment | Getty Images 1. Investment fees Investment fees are a big consideration for rollovers, advisors said. Investment funds in 401(k) plans are generally less costly than their ...
My job is being eliminated and I will get a severance package. Is that considered income for IRS limits on Roth IRA contributions?
I know my job is being eliminated at the end of March 2023. I will receive a severance package paid out over a period of almost one year. I understand I will not be able to make 401(k) deductions from...
Here’s how to report Roth IRA conversions on your taxes
If you made a Roth individual retirement account conversion in 2022, you may have a more complicated tax return this season, experts say. The strategy, which transfers pretax or non-deductible IRA fu...
I’m about to get $130,000 from a lump sum pension payout, what do I do with it?
I am about to receive a lump-sum payout from a pension plan I was in. It’s around $130,000. Need some advice on the best way to invest this money. I am turning 60 in April and don’t have a 401(k) or I...
Should you add $30,000 to your retirement with an after-tax auto Roth conversion?
If you are saving up to the employee limit in your workplace retirement accounts and looking to add more, you’ll be glad to hear that employers are making it easier than ever to make extra after-tax c...
Secure 2.0 Lets Retirees Delay RMDs. That Doesn’t Mean They Should.
Text size It’s worth doing the calculations to determine whether taking RMDs earlier may ease your tax bill. Dreamstime The Secure 2.0 Act gives savers 72 and under an extra year before you have to wi...
Schwab Is Sending Out Settlement Checks. Here’s What to Know.
Clients of Charles Schwab ‘s robo-advisor have begun receiving distribution checks from a settlement the company reached with the Securities and Exchange Commission in summer 2022. Hundreds of thousa...
Opinion: Roth IRA conversions: Take advantage of this limited-time offer to save on taxes
No one likes taxes, but everyone loves a sale. So the idea of a major blowout on Roth conversions in 2023 — a limited time offer, no less — might make it enticing to pay taxes now to avoid them in the...
‘I dug myself out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle’: Should I use my bonus to pay off my mortgage, put it in a savings account or Vanguard?
Dear Quentin, Over the last couple years I dug myself out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, and I am making good money. I never learned about stocks, investing, etc. I do not have a 401(k) at work. M...
With this simple year-end change to your retirement accounts, you can reap significant tax rewards
If you are a middle-income earner, you may be in a much better position tax-wise than you realize. That’s good news: You may be able to take advantage of that better position to strengthen your retire...
Six Ways to Protect Your Money in 2023
The highest inflation in four decades. A bear market in stocks. Fears of a recession. A crypto implosion. The past year was a trying one for American households. It strained their budgets, reduced the...
Your Retirement Plans Will Change With the $1.7 Trillion Federal Spending Bill
Congress is poised to approve a $1.7 trillion spending bill this week that seeks to avert a government shutdown and boost the savings of Americans by making significant changes to their retirement pla...
21% of investors don’t think they pay fees. Here’s why they’re wrong
Damircudic | E+ | Getty Images More than a fifth of investors don’t think they pay any fees for their investment accounts, an industry survey has found. Most of them, however, are likely wrong —...
Amid inflation and recession fears, 10 money moves you should make in 2023
Getty Images/iStockphoto While inflation is cooling, projections still point to elevated consumer prices next year. What’s more, recession threats remain high, unemployment may rise and investors are ...
How much should you have saved for retirement?
When I was in my 20s, I was lucky to work for a company that offered a pension plan—and that put me on the road to retirement. Today, unfortunately, company pensions are rare. How can you ensure a com...
The 4% Rule for Retirement Spending Makes a Comeback
Listen to article (2 minutes) Retirees walloped by high inflation and volatile stock and bond markets are getting some good news: The 4% spending rule—or something close to it—is back. The traditional...
I have $600K invested, but my financial adviser has only made one trade this year, and left $7,500 in cash in my Roth IRA. Is it time to get rid of him?
Question: My financial advisor has made one trade this entire year and has left $7,500 in cash in my Roth IRA since January. I had $600,000 in assets at the start of the year. Some minimal reallocatio...
I sold my late mother’s home for $250,000. I make $80,000 and have $220,000 in student debt. I want to buy a house. Should I use all my inheritance for a down payment?
My mom passed away, and left me her house, which I just sold and will net $250,000. I’m 41 years old with no real retirement savings. I make $80,000 a year, and I am maxing out contributions to my emp...
I’m 53, just got laid off, and wondering what to do now. I have $425K saved for retirement, $10K in an HSA, and a property I could sell for an extra $200K in cash. Is getting professional help wise?
Getty Images/iStockphoto Question: I was laid off from my job of 12 years. I have a few questions about how to rearrange my future financial plan. I am 53 years old and I plan to go back to work once ...
Here are 3 ways Gen Z workers can start saving now for retirement
Luis Alvarez | Digitalvision | Getty Images If you’re just out of college, you may be wondering when the right time is to get started with a retirement savings plan. The answer is now, experts s...
Will you regret that Roth conversion when you get a huge tax bill?
If you took advantage of the down market in 2022 to convert some of your IRA to a Roth, you’re about to get a reality check of how much that will cost you when you file your tax return. Tax-saving str...