- Americans Say They Now Need $1.8 Million to Retire. Here’s How You Can Get There
Americans believe they’ll need at least $1.8 million to retire, an increase from last year’s magic number of $1.7 million. However, not very many are confident they’ll be able to get there. These are the two top-line takeaways from this year’s 401(k) Participant Study published by Charles Schwab, the annual study that tracks important retirement… read more…
- Social Security Benefit Reduction for Early Retirement Chart
Filing for Social Security early in retirement affects how much you’ll receive in monthly benefits. Individuals can begin collecting as early as age 62, but doing so triggers a permanent reduction compared to waiting until full retirement age. The percentage of reduction depends on your birth year and how many months early you claim. Understanding… read more…
- Where Can I Retire on $2,500 a Month?
Retiring on $2,500 a month is possible in a range of situations, depending on how you manage housing, healthcare, and discretionary spending. For those asking, “Where can I retire on $2,500 a month?” the answer often comes down to aligning lifestyle choices with a fixed income. With a practical approach, this monthly budget can support… read more…
- Do You Pay Medicare Tax on Retirement Income?
If you generate retirement income from an investment portfolio, you will not pay FICA taxes such as Social Security and Medicare tax. However, you might owe a supplemental Medicare tax if you are a high earner. If you generate retirement income from working a job, running a business or otherwise earning income, you will pay the… read more…
- Where Can I Retire on $2,000 a Month?
Living on $2,000 per month is doable, but you won’t be able to live just anywhere. This is important because at the time of writing the average Social Security benefit paid is $1,976 per month. With a small retirement portfolio, you can relatively easily add a few hundred dollars to that amount, bringing your household… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: Should I Delay Social Security and Rely on My 401(k) for 8 Years? I Have $750k in Savings and a Pension
Is it a viable plan to use my 401(k) for the eight years between retirement (age 62) and the max payout age for Social Security (age 70)? I have about $750,000 and I’m planning to take about $1,700 per month. I already have a pension of about $1,500 per month. –Lynne Waiting to file for… read more…
- This Little-Known Account Can Help High Earners Accumulate Wealth
If you qualify to participate in a non-qualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan, you may want to pay attention closely. These accounts can offer high-earners who have maxed out their traditional retirement savings options an appealing opportunity to set aside a substantial portion of their income and invest it on a tax-deferred basis. In a new… read more…
- More Than 12,000 Americans Will Turn 65 Every Day in 2024. Are You Ready for Retirement?
The U.S. population is approaching a landmark sometimes called Peak 65, the point next year when more than 12,000 people will start turning 65 each day, hitting an estimated total of 4 million for the year, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. By the end of 2030, all Baby Boomers – those born between 1946 and… read more…
- Many Americans Are Mishandling Their Social Security. Are You One of Them?
The biggest obstacle to maximizing your Social Security benefits isn’t your life expectancy, your health or how long you work – it’s your brain. That’s the conclusion of a new study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Researchers found that your fear of loss and personal sense of ownership of your benefits are… read more…
- 5 Rules of Thumb for Retirement Savings
Saving for retirement can be a daunting challenge for many. The landscape is filled with many retirement plans and investment companies vying for your attention, along with complex contribution restrictions, tax rules and paperwork. Overcoming these challenges becomes achievable when you utilize proven rules of thumb to set yourself on the path toward a financially… read more…
- Spouses May Soon Need to Agree on 401(k) Withdrawals Under This Proposed Law
Congress could soon change how spouses access their retirement accounts. A pair of Democratic bills recently introduced in the House and Senate would require spouses to consent before either one can make any withdrawals from their 401(k) accounts. The bills, sponsored by Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Illinois, and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, seek to amend the… read more…
- How Much Should I Withdraw From My Retirement Account? Edward Jones Says Start With These Percentages
One of the most important decisions in retirement is choosing how much to withdraw from your savings. You need to take out enough to meet your spending needs, but not so much that you end up running out of money. While there’s no real consensus on a safe withdrawal rate, a recent report from Edward… read more…
- Retirement Savings Milestones
Retirement planning is a process that begins as soon as you start contemplating the financial consequences of ending work and extends for the rest of your life. While every retirement planning process is unique in the specific details, most retirement savers encounter some common milestones along the way. Looking ahead to these milestones and what… read more…
- What Is the Interest Rate on a 401(k) Loan?
If you borrow from your 401k account, your employer’s retirement account plan documents will determine how much interest you’ll pay on the loan. Adding 1% to the prime rate is a common approach to setting this rate. It usually will be lower than the interest charged on a personal loan, credit card cash advance or… read more…
- How to Catch Up on Retirement Savings
Accelerating your retirement savings is a good idea. One of the biggest problems with retirement advice is that it’s usually prophylactic. That is, the most common advice when it comes to building a nest egg is “start early.” And to be fair, that’s true. By far the best way to build a strong retirement portfolio… read more…
- Investment Strategies for Your Retirement Plan
In a perfect world, we could point you to a single set of assets that would maximize safety, growth and cash flow all in one neat basket. Unfortunately, unless you’re lucky enough to have a generous pension fund, that asset class doesn’t exist, as virtually all investments offer some form of tradeoff. Below we detail… read more…
- Retirement Plans for Young Adults
Young adults have many priorities, from advancing their careers to planning for a family, which often leads to saving for retirement being placed on the back burner. However, being a young adult offers a significant advantage when it comes to building wealth for retirement due to the advantage of time. The power of compound interest… read more…
- Pros and Cons of Adding a Fixed Annuity to Your Retirement Portfolio
Fixed income annuities can be funded either with a single lump-sum payment or through a series of contributions made over time. In return, they provide retirees with a guaranteed stream of income that doesn’t fluctuate with the market. This steady payout can complement Social Security or pensions, offering predictable cash flow for life or a… read more…
- Don’t Forget to Build This Into Your Retirement and Estate Plans
Most people will, sooner or later, want – or need – to surrender control of their finances. One of the lesser-known aspects of retirement planning is lining up someone known as an agent or fiduciary. This is someone who can take control of your finances if you experience cognitive decline or are otherwise incapacitated. This… read more…
- Side Hustles for Retirees
In the face of fluctuating economies and dwindling pensions, achieving financial stability in retirement can be challenging. As a result, some retirees end up working side hustles to supplement their retirement income. Luckily, there are more ways than ever for retirees to get a side hustle thanks to the gig economy and advancing technology. A… read more…
- How to Calculate Spousal Social Security Benefits
Spousal Social Security benefits allow a person to receive payments based on their spouse’s work record, which can be useful if they have little or no work history of their own. The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s full retirement benefit. However, factors like claiming age and additional earnings can reduce this… read more…
- What Is the Advantage of Investing Early for Retirement?
Investing early for retirement can seem like a daunting task. But it’s a crucial step towards securing your financial future. Kickstarting your savings with enough time will help you build a nest egg that is large enough to pay for your retirement. Let’s break down the potential benefits and obstacles that you could face when… read more…
- Social Security Overview for August 2023: Everything You Need to Know
Millions of Social Security recipients play a common waiting game to see when their monthly benefits checks will hit their bank accounts or debit cards. Unlike most paychecks, Social Security benefit payments for many recipients are tied to a particular Wednesday of the month rather than a specific date. Consider working with a financial advisor… read more…
- The IRS May Be Cutting You a Break on Your RMDs This Year
If you’re confused about the rules surrounding required minimum distributions from retirement accounts in 2023, the IRS is offering some much-needed clarification – and relief. A financial advisor can help you plan for RMDs and manage your taxes in retirement. Find a fiduciary advisor today. When the SECURE 2.0 Act was signed into law in… read more…
- What Is a Beneficiary?
A beneficiary is a person or entity you designate to receive the benefits of a particular account or policy after your death. Designating, reviewing and updating beneficiaries are basic tasks of estate planning. Failing to name a beneficiary or naming the wrong beneficiary can create complications, add costs and increase the delay in settling your… read more…