Here’s another reason why it may not be completely insane to add some gold bullion to your 401(k) or retirement account. Central banks are stocking up. Three economists—Serkan Arslanalp and Chima Simp...
Tag: Retirement planning
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...
I-bond strategies: Answers to your questions about Series I bonds
Most people are still new to investing in I-bonds, and so it’s not surprising that they have a lot of questions about the basics. As a new year begins, the situation is even more complicated by strate...
Retirement may be bad for your brain. Is working longer the solution?
When we retire from our jobs we may be giving up more than staff meetings, desk lunches and a paycheck. The social interaction and mental challenges found through work can be good for our mental healt...
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...
This simple, no-sweat portfolio makes money in all markets
Well now. This is interesting. Very interesting. And—potentially — very profitable. Especially if you want your savings to go to work and make you money in all environments—booms and slumps, crashes a...
10 simple investments that can turn your portfolio into an income dynamo
Many people are good at saving up money for retirement. They manage expenses and build up their nest eggs steadily. But when it comes time to begin drawing income from an investment portfolio, they mi...
Jan. 17 is the deadline for 2022 fourth-quarter estimated tax payments
Constantine Johnny | Moment | Getty Images There’s still time to avoid a penalty if you didn’t pay enough taxes in 2022 — but the clock is ticking. If you are self-employed or receive inco...
To pick 2023’s winners, look to 2022’s losers
A good place to look for stocks that may be market beaters this year is a list of stocks that lost the most last year. That’s because such stocks typically bounce back in a big way. But it will take 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...
MYGAs and Fixed Index Annuities Are Popular. What to Consider.
Rising rates have made annuities of all stripes more interesting investments, but two in particular are worth a hard look right now. Multi-year guaranteed annuities—MYGAs, for short—are the insurance ...
Inflation has fallen. Is it time to buy inflation protected bonds?
Good news, especially for retirees: Inflation has fallen. The official rate has just tumbled to 6.5% — down from 9.1% last June. And while 6.5% is still a hefty hike in prices, that’s just the annual ...
Opinion: The days of IRS forgiveness for RMD mistakes may soon be over
Katie St. Ores has a 100% track record of getting her tax clients out of paying the steep penalty for missing a required minimum distribution from their retirement funds. That amounts to only two hous...
IRS says ‘Tax Day’ will be different this year — put these important tax dates on your calendar
It’s not too early to start thinking about your 2022 income-tax return, if you can bear the thought. That’s because the tax-filing season is scheduled to start on Monday, Jan. 23, the Internal Revenue...
‘My adviser insists this is a good, low-risk investment.’ I’m semi-retired at 63 with $2 million saved. My financial adviser wants me to sink half my money in an annuity. Should I do it?
I’ve never been a big fan of annuities, but my advisor insists this is a good low risk investment vehicle. Is a variable annuity a good option for me? Getty Images Question: I am 63 and semi-retired. ...
Here are 3 moves to make before the 2023 tax filing season opens
mediaphotos | E+ | Getty Images Enlist tax prep help One of the first things to consider: Will you be filing your own taxes this year or tapping an expert to file a return on your behalf? If you’...
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...
‘It feels like I’m holding two full-time jobs:’ I’m 65, retired and have a $2K pension. I own rental properties, but they’re stressful to maintain. Should I keep them or sell?
Dear MarketWatch, I’m a 65-year-old married man in Southern California. I retired about 5 years ago, and have very little in pension payments of about $2,000 from my old job, without any medical benef...
6 value stock picks for 2023 from successful money managers
Following a down year for the stock market, there is no shortage of recession predictions for 2023, especially as the Federal Reserve has signaled it will continue to raise interest rates to fight inf...
Turning 72 or 73 this year? Here’s what to do about your required minimum distributions
Anyone turning 72 years old in 2023 is getting a birthday present from Congress – one more year to push back their required minimum distributions from their retirement accounts. As part of the Secure...
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 am 60 and plan to retire in March. I have $113K in my 401(k) and no other savings, but I will get an early retirement package of 9 months salary. Should I get a pro to help me?
Question: I am accepting an early retirement offer from my long-term employer of 24 years. In March of 2023, I will retire and receive nine months of salary as well as my benefits. During this time I ...
Opinion: ‘Don’t just sit there, do something.’ The stock market is telling you to make some hard decisions with your money now.
I have always refrained from saying what legendary investor Sir John Templeton considered the four most dangerous words in investing: This time is different.” After months of talking to and reading th...